Fair Trade Can Boost Job Creation
I have been visiting with a lot of small business owners this August. The topic on everyone's mind is what can be done to get the economy back on track. The unemployment rate continues to remain too high. Too many Americans are without a job and too many have become so discouraged with the job market that they have simply stopped looking.
There is no magic bullet, but there are things Congress can do. One of the things we can do is open up new markets for American products and goods. When Congress returns to session in September, the President has said he will submit the three pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea for approval.
These trade agreements won't require a tax increase or add to our national deficit. What they will do is create good-paying American jobs in areas like manufacturing and agriculture. It is estimated that all three combined would create 250,000 jobs.
We know that government does not create jobs. What government can do though is set the table for economic growth. That is why I believe we should be pursing policies that will help create opportunity for small businesses to grow.
I don't believe in free trade, but I do believe in fair trade. American farmers and manufacturers can compete with anyone in the world as long as it's a level playing field. We have tried to tax, spend and bail our way to prosperity; now Congress needs to create the right conditions for economic growth.
Sincerely,
