These people in Europe are hypocrites.

They say they want to write us off and then they whine about how we want to help the people here and focus domestically on ourselves for a while.

This is not about Europe controlling the US, it's about the WTO being a focal point for international trade and business.

All these nations signed up to it, just like the UK did with the European Union. And now people are seeing that this globalization isn't practical for their current situation.

The refineries in the UK are now having protests from staff and mass walkouts because our country is obliged through the European Union to allow a Europe-wide employment program inclusive of competitive markets and contracts.

This is all a part of open trade and globalization.

The US is required by the WTO as a member nation to allow the same process of competition globally.

Whether you like it or not, your country signed up to this agreement to take advantage of business opportunities globally, and this clause in the proposal defies that law.
You cannot enjoy the benefits for the last few decades and then suddenly decide that it can't go the other way because it's not convenient.

We are in the same boat with the refineries and European staff being hired to do a job a Brit can do.
It's our fault for going along with the European Union.
Unfortunately, we'll just have to accept it and move on.

That's what the anti-globalization protests have all been about for the last ten years. Those people who fought against globalization and global corporations knew this was coming, and they tried to show the world what was coming, and no one listened.
They knew it was all an unstable system designed to make the rich richer, and keep the poor out of the way.

I personally think protectionism would be the right choice right now. We should be focusing on our own countries security, our own financial stability and supporting our own businesses and infrastructure.

I think Obama is right to want to do this, but at the same time, you've abused your position with the WTO in the past to make billions of $ globally, you have no right to suddenly demand such protectionist rules.

Originally posted by detachedindividual

Whether you like it or not, your country signed up to this agreement to take advantage of business opportunities globally, and this clause in the proposal defies that law.
You cannot enjoy the benefits for the last few decades and then suddenly decide that it can't go the other way because it's not convenient.

The US has been running a trade deficit since 1975. I fail to see how this has worked to our advantage. And I disagree that once you agree to something that you must therefore, of necessity, let it utterly sink you.

Our government did agree to this. Mostly at the behest of corporation which by and large arent even American anymore, they are multinationals. As a people in a democratic nation, we are entitled, (as are you guys) to insist our leaders change course.

We arent benefiting from this. Wealthy people with no real concern for nations and their people are benefiting from this.

People in nations dont have the luxury of jetting off to some paradise somewhere if things get sticky at home. We are more bound to our country and of course we are, of necessity, more nationalistic than the super wealthy.

If we want to vote our way out of a piss poor agreement made by another generation, then it is our right and responsibility to do so. We disagree with "hereditary privilege" here. One generation making you a leader does not mean you and yours will always be in power in America. We arent serfs, and each generation has the right to decide.

Originally posted by detachedindividual
I think Obama is right to want to do this, but at the same time, you've abused your position with the WTO in the past to make billions of $ globally, you have no right to suddenly demand such protectionist rules.

Dont confuse "us" with what are now multinational corporations. Dont confuse "us" with corporations at all. Our parents and grandparents lost control of our government. Dont fault our generation for trying to get it back. And dont blame us because your government willingly went down the same road. If we dont like the road we are on, the little people of the world no matter what country, it is our right and duty to make sure we get on the off ramp.

You agree that a more nationalistic approach would likely work better for us. Well, then why argue that we shouldnt take it because our elders got dirty tricked?

First, I think Congress put this in on purpose because they already have a particular supplier in mind. Political payback IMO.

Second, I feel this is just to show Americans that Congress cares about keeping jobs in America. I have yet to find how many of these projects will be affected by this clause. If this clause only pertains to a few projects, then I say this clause is nothing but a sham.

As far EU and others being upset about this, I say they have the right to. the US would probably be complaining just as much if the EU had done the same.

Do you still think Obama will make the world see us in a better light?

Only time will tell.

If that clause is left there it will be illegal and there will be ramifications for america, how about ye just remove the clause and still buy american, that way the law is not being broken.

Originally posted by detachedindividual

What, suddenly you have to make a sacrifice just like us and you think your special?

Doesn't work that way I'm afraid.

You just dont get that the people of a country and their government can, even in a democracy, have differing goals do you?

I suppose you think the English people wanted to join in the Iraq fray? Or engage in Empire building and plundering that England has done in the last several centuries? Or do you recognize that the wealthy and powerful in any country can take that country in a direction that is good for the wealthy and bad for the common people?

So the US has got fat off the Hard work of other countries and now don't want to play by the rules they agreed to in the first place.

I'm sorry, but these people in other countries want to look after their families as well! and the sale of things like steel will keep them employed.

The mighty US of A isn't the only country struggling now with unemployment and hardships.

You made your bed, now you sleep in it.