New Democrats Screw Working Folks, Again

It seems that the 'New Democrats' are proud about collaborating with Republicans to make it possible for corporations to outsource more American jobs. Yes, it's really something to be proud of... making a trade deal with Vietnams totalitarian government because the totalitarian government of China has allowed the cost of labor to get too high. Mind you; in this case too high still means a Chinese factory workers pay is less than $300 per month.

David Sirota is on the ball and on the case, as usual:

VOTE ALERT: House Passes Vietnam Free Trade Agreement

The House tonight caved to K Street and passed the Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. I received a copy of the New Democrats’ press release trumpeting the passage. Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) claims that the deal “will help American workers and our economy by opening up a huge market for American industrial and agricultural goods and services.” Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY) said he voted for the deal because “Vietnam will further open its market to our banking, insurance, telecom and delivery industries, creating more opportunities for both our nations.”

Oh yes, IÂ’m sure the push for the bill had nothing to do with how, according to Businessweek, Corporate America is desperate to open up VietnamÂ’s market to exploit its dirt poor workers who have no basic rights:

A big reason for the change is rock-bottom wages. As labor shortages in some regions of China drive up costs, factory hands in parts of the mainland can earn more than five times the $55 per month that Vietnamese workers in foreign-owned factories are paid. That differential is a big reason why Sparton Corp. (SPA ) of Jackson, Mich., chose Vietnam over China last year when it made its first investment outside North America. It sank $8 million into a 50,000-square-foot plant to produce chemical diagnostic equipment. "I think productivity and quality will far exceed the U.S.," says Jason Craft, managing director of Sparton subsidiary Spartronics Vietnam Co.

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I've never been able to understand how the U.S. could have 'Free-Trade' agreements with countries who's people aren't free. Having diplomatic relations; sure. Having limited trade relations; Ok.. But making special trade deals? That sound to me like propping up totalitarian governments and working against the spread of democracy.