What is CAFTA?

Can anyone explain what CAFTA is?

Thanks!

Think NAFTA, but further south.

So basically it's legislation that allows you to import things from certain nations with out paying a fee?

it's an excuse for American corporations to move into Latin American countries, use up their resources, leave the population in a state of abject poverty, and then move on to the next poor nation on the chopping block to be "globalized."

But then, I'm not a huge fan of this whole "capitalism" thing, so I'm a tad bit biased.

I don't understand global economics very well. Is this what is allowing them to outsource?

and outsourcing, you are now competing in a race to the bottom for salaries and benefits and the rest of it

what will the likely consequences be to the average middle-lower class worker?

that is what will happen to our jobs, the good jobs will go away, to be replaced by McDonalds type jobs

And I'm by no means an expert on global economics, either. But here goes... (Other DUers, feel free to expand or correct if I screw this up too badly)

Outsourcing in itself isn't illegal. Companies are free to set up wherever they want. But depending on the particulars of the law, they can face steeper tarriffs, etc. depending on where they're headquartered. What CAFTA (and NAFTA before it) are supposed to do is make it easier for a group of nations to trade between themselves by eliminating or reducing alot of the laws regulating trade between them, based on the flawed premise that decreased regulation will provide mutual benefits to both nations.

What ACTUALLY tends to happen, however, is that American companies will use the relaxed labor laws that come with these agreements to move manufacturing facilities to nations where labor standards are lower, providing them with a cheaper workforce. The decreased regulation lends itself to all kinds of abuse, from lax environmental standards to abusive labor conditions, and can result in the displacement of the native population.

All too often, the promised benefits of free trade never materialize, and all the country is left with is an influx of American companies, using their resources while contributing back appalling wages and working conditions. Meanwhile, companies that relocate are costing laborers here their jobs and taking money out of our economic system (workers who can't work don't get paid, and therefore don't spend,) furthering the decline of the American industrial workforce.

In short, America get less jobs, other countries get dirty air and water, lower wages, and depleted resources, and the corporations get to cut their expenses by using cheaper labor.

and it will make NAFTA look like a walk in the park, continuing the race to the bottom

Can't
Another
Fucking
Tarif
Apply

It means less borders more profit for corporations. We're going to the next level people. Why is it that the British media is driving American public opinion lately? DSM, US meeting with Insurgents, etc,...

You can get it at falafel type places.

http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/83_folder/83_articles/83_272.html

check out www.theyesmen.org.

I've studied international economics, but these guys do it best. Cheers!

to already outraged populations south of the border.

The people have an alternative that is going to be hard to deny:

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/docs.php?dno=1010

and they have ready made heroes and leaders in Chavez, Morales and Obrador.

If they truly try to impose CAFTA on people then they are flirting with revolution in many central American countries, including Mexico.