If NAFTA were to include as an intrinsic part of it the requirement that

any country that wishes free trade with America must meet the same environmental and labor standards as America. Would that level the playing field and make a free trade agreement with our neighbors any more acceptable?

then it would be acceptable. America's standards suck, to be frank about it.

companies have to pay themselves if they offer it.

Yes you have a very valid point. Why shouldn't companies get out from that burden and hire in countries that provide it? It is illogical for companies to have to provide health insurance..

I think you'll find that you proposal will never fly; the so-called "comparative advantage" captured in "free trade" is precisely lower standards of living, and laxer/non-existent labor and environmental laws.

I remember back in the eighties how Gephardt and Daschel talked so much about leveling the field in the ways I first mentioned. That is why Reagan nor Bush could ever get NAFTA passed. Clinton however told us those reforms would follow after passage but shouldn't be a prerequisite. I don't recall health care being mentioned as a part of NAFTA though...Things do sometimes change and each Democratic candidate is talking about some form of Health Care for all. This would indeed be a first step in keeping jobs in America..

and his "side agreements" were merely so much political theatre.

We need trade agreements. Just not one written by corporation like NAFTA was.
Edwards is right NAFTA needs a total over haul and I'm glad to see Hillary finally come around on that one.
edited: spelling

annd raise our own standards to the levels of any other western democracy

import cheap products from other countries that is good for the consumer. The more foreign products we buy the more things they have to make and the more jobs they have. The more foreign products we sell the more sales jobs there will be in the USA. The more foreign products we buy the more money they will have to finance our debt. And don't forget if our companies can build a factory in another country and the costs are lower the company has more money to pay their stockholders and CEOs. The stockholders and CEOs will have more money to re-invest in more factories in other countries and don't forget with all the xtra money they have they will also buy more imported products. So we can all get those new jobs at Circuit City that opened up when they fired their over paid staff. So don't you see what a great deal NAFTA is. :sarcasm: