Although my ideal scenario was one in which CAFTA was revised before it was passed, I think CAFTA will turn out to be a pretty good deal. I believe that long-term, it will create jobs in both our country and Central America and will help raise the living standards in the region. It helps maintain our foreign investment in the region, which is important for soft power and thus national security. Central American nations need our support to develop and hopefully this bill will play a role in that.
But how that vote was achieved last night and the debate leading up to the vote showed some of the darker parts of our democracy.
Southern Republicans got textile protections to secure their votes. Democrats from rural districts were promised protections for certain farming industries. In a move that may anger the anti-Castro lobby, the White House talked with Democratic Rep. Moore about reconsidering the farm trade policies with Cuba. Republicans were promised fundraising appearances by Vice President Cheney. Majority Whip Roy Blunt said the upcoming highway bill was used as an incentive. Rep. Pelosi says Democrats were offered deals by the majority that may have crossed the ethical line. (And not to blame just the majority party, Roll Call is reporting that the Democratic Caucus may punish those who voted for CAFTA by taking away key committee assignments).
The vote stretched on for over an hour as the deals went on.
Watching the vote on CAFTA last night reminded me of a conversation I had last week. The Republican Rules Committee blocked debate over two Democratic amendments to our Foreign Relations Authorization bill that would have affected Colombia aid. A Colombian friend of mine, and supporter of US assistance said, "That's great news! I mean, I'm sorry to hear about your democracy falling apart, but that's great news." (Yes, the Colombians are mocking the level of corruption and the lack of debate in the US Congress.) That quote is what I thought of as CAFTA passed.
During the debate over CAFTA, both sides demonized the other's position, which prevented compromise. Both sides pushed for votes on the basis of party lines and pork rather than what was right. Both sides talked as if failure was the end of the world. The party in power twisted arms and offered last minute deals to buy the votes necessary. Had the White House brought the moderate Democrats into the negotiation process, I truly believe this bill could have passed with 240-260 votes. But that's not how either side is playing the game of politics today. Some will say that's how politics works, but I don't think citizens should accept that as an answer.
A bill I felt was flawed, but yet I still believed was worth passing, made it through Congress last night. For some reason it makes me feel awful. And worse, I don't see a solution on the horizon.
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