Obama was starting to go in the right direction.  In Ohio.  He had some conviction.  NAFTA bashing is a bit 20th Century, but it was the right track.

Then he told Fortune this:

Does that mean his rhetoric was overheated and amplified? "Politicians are always guilty of that, and I don't exempt myself," he answered.

Renegotiating NAFTA was a bit aggressive, if indistinct.  But now:

What Obama says now is that he believes in "opening up a dialogue" with trading partners Canada and Mexico "and figuring to how we can make this work for all people."

Baucus and Grassley have not been high on doing something meaningful on currency.  Their views are important, because they are the chair and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over this stuff.

Banking has jurisdiction too.  Dodd and Shelby are the big guns over there.

This significant statement was released today, and distributed by Lloyd Wood of AMTAC.  It shows there is movement in the Senate.  Words aren't enough, but these words are better than past words. 

****

~ United States Senate ~

For Immediate Release Contact: Carol Guthrie (Baucus)/Jill Gerber (Grassley) 224-4515

July 2, 2008 Kate Szostak (Dodd)/Jonathan Graffeo (Shelby) 224-7391

 

Senators Comment on Currency Legislation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), huck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) issued a brief statement today regarding recent meetings on the issue of legislation to address international currency issues. The Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Finance and Banking Committees have introduced currency bills in the last year, and are working together toward legislation to address currency exchange rate regimes.

“Last week, the four of us met to discuss our views on currency exchange rate regimes and their effect on the American and the global economies. We also discussed our legislative proposals to ensure that our global economic partners – including the People’s Republic of China – maintain exchange rate regimes that are compatible with International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organization commitments and principles.

“During our meeting, we discussed the progress China has made to appreciate its currency, as well as the urgent need for continued appreciation and exchange rate liberalization. We talked about the need for these important reforms in the context of recent turmoil in the American economy and growing uncertainty in the global economy. We agreed that the administration’s implementation of existing statutes concerning currency and associated trade effects, including the Report to Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies, as mandated by Title III of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, is inadequate and in need of reform.

Recognizing our common goals and shared concerns, we pledged to continue working together toward legislation to address currency exchange rate regimes.” [emphasis added]

Below the fold is photos of his free trade vacation trip to Colombia.  Telling Colombia how good free trade is.  While running for election in the United States... a country located to the north of Colombia.  

Photos from Time magazine.

The Chinese people are great.  Their government is not.  Some may say that about America, but that's another story.

In China speech is free so long as the government agrees with it.  That's why Chinese "security agents" "detained" human rights lawyers who were to meet with two U.S. Congressmen.  The Chinese government did not agree with their speech, which involved advocating the release of 700 political prisoners.

Funny how euphemisms obscure the truth. "Security agents" could have been called "thugs".  But were not.  "Detained" could have been called "jailed."  If you were "detained", you would say I was "jailed".  Or "threatened and jailed".  You would not say "I was detained."  I'll betcha 20 bucks that's what you'd say.  And you'd call 'em "thugs" too.