“Huge trade deficits cost millions of jobs, lower wages and place a massive debt burden on future generations.” –Brad Sherman, United States Congressman
Democratic Party member are not unified in many ways. The question of abortion rights is simply the most well known issue. Gay marriage rights is also another party dividing issue. However, in this era of job growth, job creation ought to be the focus. It isn’t.
In my own new California 30th district, redistricting has resulted in two long time Democratic congressman vying for the same seat. Howard Berman versus Brad Sherman. On most issues they agree. Sherman has taken positions that have been contrary to Democratic Party leadership. He opposed TARP as it was initially proposed and, I believe, only voted in favor of the final bill when he saw the stock market decline. Sherman has also taken an unusual view of free trade agreements. He opposes them.
Brad Sherman opposes NAFTA and CAFTA because they are shipping our jobs overseas. “For too long the United States has been exporting jobs rather than products.” The latest free trade agreements are with Columbia and South Korea. His take is supportable when you look at the American trade deficit. It’s has been at or near the highest level since 2004. The amount has been in excess of $800 Billion Dollars. This is a number supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
His concern for jobs is justified. It’s not just the high unemployment rate. The employment to population ratio of Americans age 16-54 has barely begun to recover from levels last seen in 1983. That number was 68.5% in April of this year. This is a BLS statistic. Meanwhile Berman is a supporter of free trade agreements.
I have not heard or read any positions taken by Republicans on the issue of free trade. It should be a deciding factor when voting for a congressman or the president.
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