FTA - Don't we deserve it? (698 hits)
Category: Politics -> IraqRating: 1 on 10 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Despiadado <bored.at.work.com> (View user info) at 2004-07-15 10:00:37 EDT
If you have no idea about what the FTA is or what it means, please at least read these summaries from the Australian and American governments before making any uninformed statements.
http://www.ustr.gov/new/fta/australia.htm
http://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/negotiations/us.html
I usually prefer to stay out of political debates, or I tend simply to leave a short message without waiting round to respond to the scrutiny to which my arguments rarely stand up. But due to a recent news report I have seen which has sledged Australian politicians for accepting the FTA as a bribe for SAS troops being sent to Iraq, I have to ask, in a free forum like übersite, "What's wrong with that?".
This agreement that has been reached between the governments of our two countries should bring with it major economic benefits for the people of Australia. Here in the Great southern land, we have been plagued for several decades with a relatively high unemployment rate. Nothing to plunge us into a major crisis, but enough to keep the youth of the country worried that there may be few or no jobs when they leave university. Australia will be completely safe from any US legislation that could otherwise affect our ability to engage in trade with the Americans. We have managed to retain the right to local content in our broadcasting. The agreement also makes Australia a more attractive proposition for a trading to third party nations who want a link to world's largest economy.
This deal has also guaranteed mutual recognition of qualifications which will allow graduates from Australia to work in America and vice-versa. Trans-Pacific law suits may now be fought with greater ease as mutual legal guarantees and other measures have enabled recognition of the rights of foreign investors in the two nations. This deal is by no stretch of the imagination one sided. Australia has received a particularly disappointing deal with respect to our sugar exporting, a major industry in Queensland, and one that my father is involved with in his occupation.
So with the tragedy needlessly suffered by our two nations in the more recent Gulf-War, shouldn't our nations then share together in these benefits if for no greater reason then to show our mutual appreciation for each others support?
User Reviews
Submitted by 10c7c (user info) at 2004-11-02 12:25:31 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by Durae (user info) at 2004-07-27 03:58:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Sounds great and all in economic terms, but I don't completely dig the agreement.
Submitted by runninginplace (user info) at 2004-07-15 12:30:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Don't think of it as being dependent on us. Think of it as removing barriers. The long term effects should benefit both countries down the road. The US can become dependent on others too. It just takes a while for other nations to catch up.
Obviously someone gets hurt, but it is for the greater good. Better effeciency and all that good stuff.
Submitted by Despiadado (user info) at 2004-07-15 10:43:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
"Hey, where have you been?"
-You're talking to me right? I've been having a bit of a break from übersite for a while...I've had a bit of a lack of inspiration for posts, and I'm just generally spending a bit more time with friends then on the computer. I don't have internet access at work, so I don't get to use the Boredatwork servers in the way that they were origionally intended. Though soon(next Thursday) I'm flying to Germany where I'll be living for some time. That's gonna be great and I should have lots of things to post aobut then.
Submitted by Despiadado (user info) at 2004-07-15 10:39:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks apollo. That really put things into perspective. Being dependant on the US may not be such a great idea, and our image is already suffering for our support for the war.
....hmmmmm. Food for thought.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2004-07-15 10:32:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ah you see what happens when the Australian economy depends on the FTA and it will. The econmy will shift to the best avenue to exploit it and it will it is natural law. Then the next time 10,20,30 years down the line when you disagree with some US foreign policy or other, the threat to remove the FTA will be made. Subtley and not in public but it will be made.
Then what do you do?
The way I see it Oz is doing great. You may not be an industrial superpower but who wants to be? You are on the whole a wealthy, free, healthy country in a wonderful environment whom are thought highly of by every other country in the world.
Enjoy it.
Submitted by AlahAckbar (user info) at 2004-07-15 10:32:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Rochester Ny.
Home of Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch and Laumb.
1996:
Kodak=66,000+ employees
Xerox=70,000+ employees
B&L=50,000+ employees
2004:
Kodak= ~ 22,000 employees-sent 40,000+ Jobs to Mexico
Xerox= 0 employees. Sent jobs to Mexico.
B&L = 0 employees. Sent Jobs to Mexico.
Gm destroyed the town of Flint, MI because of the FTA
Honda now sends more cars to Japan then Japan sends to US. Reason? Because they save on shipping costs. Outcome? Honda, a JAPANESE company, now employs more Americans than GM, Ford, and Chrysler COMBINED.
I know 17 people who work for the company I work for that used to work at Kodak. All of them made over $40,000 a year. Now they make 8.50 an hour.
One of them made $68,000.
Another made $56,000 yearly.
My company is "downsizing" because they are sending their contracts to people in india. Last week, 250 people became unemployed.
Thanks, FTA. Thanks a fucking lot.
Worth reading though.
Submitted by Kristen (user info) at 2004-07-15 10:28:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Hey, where have you been?
Submitted by Zoidberg (user info) at 2004-07-15 10:16:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
sorry :/ didnt mean to give this a zero
Submitted by Zoidberg (user info) at 2004-07-15 10:10:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
wait...
Australia is a country?