Take Action: Call Your Member of Congress and tell them "No to Peru Free Trade Agreement"
The House Ways and Means committee ‘considered' Peru Free Trade Agreement today, for a full 15 minutes! They then passed it with merely a voice vote. This will make it possible that the full House will vote on this agreement within the next two weeks. We need to raise our voices NOW if we are going to stop this latest effort to expand the failed CAFTA/NAFTA model!
The Capitol Switchboard is (202) 224-3121. You can go here to find out who your representative is: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
The Senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Background: In spite of widespread public opposition to an expansion of the failed NAFTA trade model, the Democratic leadership is promoting quick passage of the Peru FTA, a carbon copy of NAFTA/CAFTA. It is imperative that we communicate our strong opposition to further expansion of this model.
A key part of the Democratic victory last November was based on opposition to this trade model and pledges to promote a new one. Unfortunately, the Democratic leadership is reneging on these promises and is again selling out to corporate pressure by expanding this failed model. In spite of their propaganda to the contrary, this FTA will not lead to a reduction of poverty in Peru; rather it will further exacerbate the situation of extreme income disparity.
The ‘reforms' touted by the Democratic leadership in the labor and environmental chapters are merely the same kind of diversionary tactic used to get NAFTA approved, and were created to provide cover for Democrats who want to keep their corporate sponsors ponying up the fat campaign checks.
This agreement will promote the dumping of subsidized U.S. agricultural products in Peru, and destroy the rural economy- leading to an increase in coca production and a massive exodus from the countryside. Nearly half of Peru's 28 million inhabitants live in poverty, the majority in rural areas. The 95 percent of Peruvian farmers will who farm small and medium sized plots won't be able to compete with U.S. subsidized farm goods. Unless there is real job creation in the cities, this will ultimately result in more migration.
Please stand with us to oppose more free trade agreements. There is a group of Democrats who disagrees with the leadership and is working to gather opposing votes. Please add your voice to this message; no more of this failed model- no new trade agreements until a new model is put forward. Call today and tell your Representatives and Senators- "NO" to the Peru FTA!!!