Progressive Tory Posted February 3, 2009 Report Posted February 3, 2009 (edited) NAFTA has worked out very well for both Canada and the US and both sides are richer because of it. You could be right, but sometimes it's a matter of public opinion. I posted links to the U.S. Polls that suggest that Americans really don't care at all about NAFTA and how if affects Canadians. Another Canadian poll suggested that the Americans got the better deal. Another poll wants the gov't to reopen NAFTA. The economic crisis was kind of sprung on everyone, almost overnight. Most Americans are not concerned with trade deals. They want their gov't to do something. You know at time of crisis they will always pull out their flag and dare anyone to tell them how to run their country. When they go to bed tonight they are not stressing over any agreements signed with us. This could bite them in the butt later, though I think most countries will be more than happy to start providing steel again once the UNIQUE stimulus infastructure spending is done. Besides, there's still a market for our steel in other industries, not involved in the infastructure deal. We just counted on the surge. Edited February 3, 2009 by Progressive Tory Quote "For all our modesty and self-deprecation, we’re a people who dream great dreams. And then roll up our sleeves and turn them into realities." - Michael Ignatieff "I would not want the Prime Minister to think that he could simply fail in the House of Commons as a route to another General Election. That's not the way our system works." Stephen Harper.
Progressive Tory Posted February 3, 2009 Report Posted February 3, 2009 The vast majority of US voters might not believe that free trade with Canada is important, but the vast majority of US voters are blissfully unaware that we are their largest trade partner. It might behoove us well to draw it to their, or at least their legislators attention. A trade war doesn't do anyone a lot of good, but immediate and direct retaliation for bad faith is fair game. How about an origin-specific whomper of an import tax on anything for which a Canadian supplier exists, lasting day-for-day as long as any such bad faith policy on their part? Sounds good on paper, but long drawn out trade wars will do nothing to help stimulate our economy in the present. Again, the bill before the senate is not about tearing up NAFTA or stopping all trade with any country. It's just about this one unique stimulus package that puts American jobs first. I don't like it, but understand it. I'm just not ready to cut off my nose to spite my face. Quote "For all our modesty and self-deprecation, we’re a people who dream great dreams. And then roll up our sleeves and turn them into realities." - Michael Ignatieff "I would not want the Prime Minister to think that he could simply fail in the House of Commons as a route to another General Election. That's not the way our system works." Stephen Harper.
Progressive Tory Posted February 3, 2009 Report Posted February 3, 2009 Regardless of all the noise and posturing. Canadian Steel will flow over the boarder to be used in US value added operations for public works. Good point. Running around saying the sky is falling, is not doing anyone any good. We have to try to negotiate and make the U.S. aware of our stand, but it's almost too late for this present bill. Our natural resources give us clout and we use that in the long term to prevent further protectionist plans. If we wanted to weigh in on this current issue, we should have done it weeks ago. Launching a trade war right now would be insane. Quote "For all our modesty and self-deprecation, we’re a people who dream great dreams. And then roll up our sleeves and turn them into realities." - Michael Ignatieff "I would not want the Prime Minister to think that he could simply fail in the House of Commons as a route to another General Election. That's not the way our system works." Stephen Harper.
blueblood Posted February 3, 2009 Report Posted February 3, 2009 You could be right, but sometimes it's a matter of public opinion. I posted links to the U.S. Polls that suggest that Americans really don't care at all about NAFTA and how if affects Canadians. Another Canadian poll suggested that the Americans got the better deal. Another poll wants the gov't to reopen NAFTA.The economic crisis was kind of sprung on everyone, almost overnight. Most Americans are not concerned with trade deals. They want their gov't to do something. You know at time of crisis they will always pull out their flag and dare anyone to tell them how to run their country. When they go to bed tonight they are not stressing over any agreements signed with us. This could bite them in the butt later, though I think most countries will be more than happy to start providing steel again once the UNIQUE stimulus infastructure spending is done. Besides, there's still a market for our steel in other industries, not involved in the infastructure deal. We just counted on the surge. Just like BSE, the americans wanted the border shut, then they realized that their meat price was going to shoot up and their packing industry was taking a butt kicking. Do you think american taxpayers are going to like paying more for high priced domestic steel when they can buy off of us for a discount? Quote "Stop the Madness!!!" - Kevin O'Leary "Money is the ultimate scorecard of life!". - Kevin O'Leary Economic Left/Right: 4.00 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.77
Progressive Tory Posted February 3, 2009 Report Posted February 3, 2009 But then even most of the hookers are not homegrown. Oh no. We're not importing hookers are we? This must be stopped. If they don't ask you "You want to party, eh?', then just walk away. Actually, I think Market Place did a show on that awhile ago. Just because it says 'Made in Canada' doesn't make it so. Often, it's only packaged here. Quote "For all our modesty and self-deprecation, we’re a people who dream great dreams. And then roll up our sleeves and turn them into realities." - Michael Ignatieff "I would not want the Prime Minister to think that he could simply fail in the House of Commons as a route to another General Election. That's not the way our system works." Stephen Harper.
Slim MacSquinty Posted February 4, 2009 Report Posted February 4, 2009 When Flaherty was in charge of roads in Ontario, there was a lot of hype about his government's plan to rebuild our highways, and he made good on a lot of the promises. However, when it was learned that all the contracts went to a Quebec firm, who for the most part brought their own workers, I'm surprised he escaped with his life. In the end, it cost taxpayers more and left many Ontarians unemployed, adding to the discontent with the Harris government. Mr. misinformation king, it seems you misremember the facts, Flaherty was never in charge of the roads in Ontario, and it was the Torys in Ontario who brought the fairness iis a two way street bill into law which prevented Quebec workers from entering Ontario until Quebec allowed Ontario workers in. http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/news/2002/02-08b.html As for the rest of this thread, you Bush haters are finally getting your wake up call, Bush didn't kill the economy, gready bankers with the support of Democratic congress (party of the saviour) caused the credit bubble. This is the same Democratic congress (party of the saviour) who are pushing protectionism and sabre rattle about nafta, both before and after the election. Now Obama (the saviour) although eloquent, is almost completely untested politically and simply has benefitted from the projection of the hopes of the American electorate who came to hate Bush. I know your trying to do the same with Iggy though its unlikely to work because his views are widely recorded and will only serve to demonstrate his flip flops. The Cons are using Michael Wilson, who is our well respected ex finance minister, and others to make a good economic arguements rather than play spoiled child antics to convince the US that it is in their best interest to continue to play ball with Canada. As a fall back we have nafta which we would in all likelyhood win, but would take so long it would be ineffective in helping the economy. As has been pointed out our economies are so intertwined it would simply be a mess to try and figure out what constituted "made in America". And it seems to be working: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1248975 Try reading some stuff for yoursleves instead of buying into all the propaganda. Quote
M.Dancer Posted February 4, 2009 Report Posted February 4, 2009 When I find something that says ' MADE IN THE USA ', I will consider buying it. i have a nice Jones of New York suit I bought at the Bay.... Surprisingly it has a Made in Canada label. To be opr3ecise, it should read Made on Chabanel. Quote RIGHT of SOME, LEFT of OTHERS If it is a choice between them and us, I choose us
capricorn Posted February 4, 2009 Report Posted February 4, 2009 Surprisingly it has a Made in Canada label. To be opr3ecise, it should read Made on Chabanel. A woman at my social club showed up with the same coat as mine. Hers had a small leather swatch that read "Montreal" and mine read "Canada". Both were probably made on Chabanel street in Montreal. Mine was for export to the ROC. More importantly, we paid the same price for our coats. Quote "We always want the best man to win an election. Unfortunately, he never runs." Will Rogers
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