OH-16: John Boccieri’s Economic Plan

Cross-posted from OH-16: John Boccieri for U.S. Congress:

John Boccieri has a plan to reform America’s trade policies and restore our competitiveness.

Reforming Trade and Restoring America’s Competitiveness

Unfair trade practices have had a devastating impact on our local communities. Since 2001, the state of Ohio has lost more than 102,000 jobs to China alone – the 5th highest amount of all 50 U.S. states.

Two thirds of U.S. jobs lost to China have come from our manufacturing sector, which won’t surprise local community members who have seen factories closed and jobs shipped away.

John Boccieri believes that America can become a strong competitor again, but we need a major change in our approach to the global economy.

Here is what Senator Major John Boccieri(D-Alliance) has laid out for us:

Put America first when it comes to trade:

The fast-growing economies of countries like China would collapse if U.S. consumers weren’t buying their goods. Instead of rubberstamping bad trade deals written by international corporate lobbyists, leaders in Washington should use that leverage to negotiate fair trade deals that benefit America’s workforce.

Of course, John’s opponent thinks our first priority should be extending the “Bush-onomics” of “lowering the capital gains tax”. This additional tax cut does nothing more than lower federal revenue, line the pockets of businesses, and the wealthiest of investors.

Enhance and enforce fair international trade standards:

We should use our global economic leverage to increase labor, human-rights and environmental standards around the world, not weaken our own protections in a race to the bottom. We should push countries like China to stop manipulating currency values, open their markets to U.S. exports, and honor and enforce standards that will level the playing field for American workers.

Of course, John’s opponent thinks our second priority should be a “crack down on the frivolous lawsuits”. We’re not stupid; this is simply a code phrase for “Tort Reform”, lowering the penalty against manufacturers of faulty products that injure, maim, and kill unsuspecting consumers and workers to just $250,000. Is this “fair compensation” for the life of your family’s bread-winner?

Protect the health and safety of American consumers:

Higher international trade standards won’t just help U.S. workers – they will protect American consumers from lead-tainted toys, poisonous pet food, or other dangers of cheap but poorly-regulated overseas production.

Gosh, I think I just covered this one with my last comment! Just for the sake of fairness, his opponent suggests “Regulatory Reform”. “Tort Reform” becomes an insurance policy for this irresponsible cousin.

Restore fiscal responsibility in Washington:

President Bush will leave us with the largest deficit in American history, and his reckless spending has driven us deeply into debt. Other nations have bought huge amounts of our debt to manipulate international currency values to their advantage. Restoring spending sanity in Washington is an important step to improving our balance of trade.

John’s opponent claims he will “fight to restore the fiscal discipline for which Republicans were once known”. This leads to a serious question; “Just how do you propose to “restore fiscal responsibility” while we spend $12 billion per month on The Iraq War?”

Reward investment in America:

We should reward companies that find innovative ways to create jobs and compete right here in the United States. These businesses should receive tax breaks, first priority for state and federal contracts, and other benefits to help them grow and succeed.

John’s opponent suggests “reforming unfair trade laws” that were put on the “fast-track” by the Bush/Cheney administration. Wouldn’t we find this much simpler to achieve had we never entered into these “trade agreements” without first making sure America’s middle-class working families were put first and foremost?

Turn around our education system:

America has fewer students graduating from high school today than we did a generation ago. We need to put a diploma and college or skills training within reach of every single young American by making smart investments in education, expanding much-needed grants and loans, and offering scholarships in exchange for public service.

John’s opponent proposes to “shift the burden of funding from property taxes to sales and income taxes”. Does it make sense that John’s opponent wants to lower taxes for the wealthiest investors and raise taxes on the working middle class while we spend $12 Billion per month in Iraq?

Support and invest in displaced workers:

Workers whose jobs have been outsourced often lose their health insurance and pensions, too, and even if they find new jobs they rarely pay as well. We need effective workforce retraining programs, stronger protections for pensions, and a health care system that gives every American coverage that is portable, affordable, and not subject to pre-existing conditions.

John’s opponent proposes to “Create Economic Empowerment Zones”. “Strengthening partnerships between industry and government” reads like the lobbyists win, again. Albeit, the “free market principles”, such as health care savings accounts, tax credits, and employer reimbursement reads much like the “Bush Privatization Model”.

Make our economy work for all Americans again:

We have to end the disconnect between booming corporate profits and stagnating middle class incomes. When CEO salaries rise, workers’ paychecks and benefits should grow, too.

“Senator Schuring is welcome to keep defending Bob Taft’s policies and looking out for the corporate executives who fund his campaign. I’m focused on relief for the working families who are being hit hardest by our economic crisis.” ~ Senator John Boccieri, July 23, 2008

Invest in industries that can’t be outsourced:

Producing our own energy here in America is a matter of national security. The Apollo Alliance estimates that the development of renewable domestic energy sources like wind farms, solar arrays, biofuel crops, and geothermal, nuclear, and clean coal plants would create more than 23,000 new “green collar” jobs in Ohio. Half a million more jobs could see wage and benefit growth from those investments.

Industries like this are the key to new jobs and prosperity for generations of Americans to come.

It’s a 4355 mile commute to ANWR and if traffic is in your favor you might make it there in 90 hours!