Trade on the Fast Track — What’s the Hurry?
By Donella Meadows
–November 13, 1997–
There were plenty of bad reasons why Congress turned down President Clinton’s “fast track” trade bill — the normal “do anything to humiliate Clinton” stuff, payoffs from protectionists and labor, isolationists who fear trade because they fear the world.
But there were good reasons, too, strengthened by the fact that NAFTA, the free trade agreement with Mexico, [...]
Labor Day is a Time to Tell the Truth About Jobs
By Donella Meadows
–August 29, 1996–
For some reason we still celebrate Labor Day, though corporations are downsizing, labor unions are losing membership, and the stock market rises when people get fired. Those of us who still have jobs, or want to, wonder whether anyone in charge cares about labor any more.
“Of course we care,” our leaders say, and indeed they talk [...]
The Silence About GATT
By Donella Meadows
–October 20, 1994–
If NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) was controversial, GATT (the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) should be inflammatory. NAFTA linked the economies of Canada, the United States, and Mexico in a “free trade” zone; GATT links the world. NAFTA had weak agreements to protect labor and the environment; GATT has none.
But the nation [...]
The NAFTA Debate–More Than Al Gore and Ross Perot
By Donella Meadows
–November 11, 1993–
Sending a pair of gladiators like Al Gore and Ross Perot into the ring is not the way to illuminate a complex issue like NAFTA. There are more positions, theories, dreams, hopes, and fears about NAFTA than could be represented by any two people, even if they were polite to each other.
That variety of opinion, which [...]
Tuning in to NAFTA
By Donella Meadows
–September 29, 1993–
“I have to admit, I’ve tuned out the whole discussion about NAFTA,” said my neighbor, who is not in the habit of tuning out discussions. “It all seems so complicated.”
“Here’s a good introduction,” I said, handing her Ross Perot’s book Save Your Job, Save Our Country. She looked at me as if I’d gone crazy. “I [...]
