Sirotablog

David Sirota is a political journalist and nationally syndicated newspaper columnist at Creators Syndicate. David writes about political corruption, globalization and working-class economic issues often ignored by both of America's political parties.

  • October 7, 2007 7:00 PM

    Costa Rica Voting Open Thread

    From Agence France Press:

    "SAN JOSE (AFP) — Hundreds of thousands of Costa Ricans voted Sunday on whether to accept or reject a free-trade agreement with the United States, that would open local markets to US products but also boost Costa Rican exports to the United States.

    Public opinion surveys, taken before polls closed at 6:00 pm (2400 GMT), indicated the measure was headed for defeat. Early official returns were not expected until 20:30 pm (0230 GMT Monday).

    The Central American Free Trade Agreement, which also includes Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, will not be re-negotiated if Costa Rica rejects the measure, US officials said.

    Costa Rica, population four million, is the only country to hold a referendum on the deal. The other countries have already ratified the agreement."

    Preliminary results are not expected in until late tonight, though if it is close, the count could take days. What will happen? Consider this a Sunday night open thread to discuss...

    Posted by David Sirota
    Permalink | Comments (3) | del.icio.us | digg
    Tags: free trade

Discussion

  • GrantBurkeVT [TypeKey Profile Page] :

    I seriously doubt that the people's vote on CAFTA will be taken seriously especially by the US. It's bad enough that the US voters are not taken seriously and even when they are, they've been rendered to the point whereby 50% or more will not even bother to vote. By the way, in states like CA and others where there are always so-called "ballot initiatives", not a single initiative by either political party on the trade issue. At least if it started state by state would there be a STRONGER populist revolt to SMASH "free" trade for good.

    Posted on October 7, 2007 8:19 PM
  • butte [TypeKey Profile Page] :

    More US jobs down the drain, more economic refugees crossing our borders.
    When are the rich and greedy going to be stopped?

    Posted on October 8, 2007 7:41 AM
  • waltc [TypeKey Profile Page] :

    When are the rich and greedy going to stopped? Not by Americans thats for sure. We're a nation of consumers not citizens.

    The problem in the U.S. is that middle-class has bullshitted itself into denial about its fate and would rather obsess over the latest SUV and flat screen tv. The upper middle-class thinks its part of the boss class and couldn't care less about anyone else. The blue collar class which traditionally has led labor and class revolts in the past is now almost extinct.

    Then add to it that there is no one to lead and organize them into a force for change. There are no more Huey Longs to rally and inspire folks.

    And as far political parties are concerned they are a joke. The main parties are owned by the same people and they sure as hell won't permit real reformers from achieving any sort of power.

    This is not our grandfathers nation.

    Posted on October 8, 2007 11:06 AM

Join the Discussion

Post a comment