“When the American people asked for a New Direction, they wanted a New Direction on how we conducted our business in Washington…”–Nancy Peolosi, 06/20/2007

Yesterday, the Democratic leadership prooved, yet again, their hypocracy when it comes to dealing with special interests.   One of the favorite Democratic campaing tactics in 2006 and 2007 was accusing  Republicans of being “in bed with Washington special interest groups”.   Thus far, Ms. Peolosi and her Democratic companions have prooved that Democrats also to serve their special interest groups, like the AFL-CIO and labor unions.  By changing the rules and avoiding any legislative action on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Democrats have weakened our relationship with Colombian President Uribe in and strengthened Hugo Chavez and other populist leaders in Latin America.  The Democrats excuse:  “Colombia has not done enough about human rights and protecting labor leaders in the region” and “President Bush is pushing policy on the Congress and we must check against his overbearing executive power”.   But let’s look at the facts:

• The Colombia FTA was negotiated for over two years between the Bush and Uribe Administrations. 
•  It was finalized and approved by the Colombian Congress over a year ago.
• The Bush Administration has been been telling the Democratic leadership that they would send the Colombia FTA since January of this year.  
• The Democrats have refused to communicate with the President.
• Colombia is our only close allie in Latin America, a region dominated by populist leaders who do not always favor the United States.
• Over the past 6 years, Colombia has gone from being in the middle of a bloody civil war, where narco-terrorist organizations were trying to hijack the government, to a stabilized country with a growing economy.
• The Uribe administration has demonstrated committment to improving human rights for all Colombian citizens.
• Thanks to the Andian Trade Prefernce Agreement, Colombia can export its good to the United States without tariffs, while the United States must pay 15-20% tariffs on exports to Colombia.
• President Uribe the Colombian governmenr have been asking for the Colombia Free Trade agreement because they knows it will bring for long term investment to Colombias economy. 

The effects of ignoring the Colombian FTA:

• Emboldening Hugo Chavez, narco terrorist organization (like the FARC) and other U.S. adversaries in the region.
• Weakening our alliance with Colombia, and loosing influence in the region.
• Risking the future stability of Colombia.
• Placing american business at a dissadavangate.

So thank you Ms. Pelosi and Democratic Party, its good to see you are serving our country by taking it nowhere.  Let’s hope you change direction and bring the Colombia Free Trade Agreement for debate and an up or down vote.  

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