Update 2: (7/26/06)
Well, since Carl decided to comment, I needed to do a little more homework… see the comments. However, I decided to look at the Bill a little bit closer, and indeed, I found two things that allow politicians get off scot-free. See if you can spot them:
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of the Fund shall be–
(1) to increase the economic competitiveness of North America in a global economy;
(2) to reduce the income gap between Mexico and Canada, and between Mexico and the United States; and
(3) to promote economic development in Mexico in the areas of infrastructure, education, technology, and job training.
and
SEC. 7. REPORT.
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Government of Mexico complies with the criteria described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 5(b), and once every 180 days after such date of compliance and before the finalization of the agreement described in section 2, the President shall submit a report to Congress detailing the progress made by the Government of the United States to establish the Fund in accordance with this Act.
Notice what is missing? Accountability.
This is a project – the Fund is supposed to straighten out Mexico (something it doesn’t seem to be able to do for itself). But how is that to be measured? Any project manager worth their salt knows that in order to be successful, you need deliverables on a milestone basis.
What this is setting up is that it can do anything, or nothing. Sure, there is reporting – looks good on paper, doesn’t it? The only accountability is setting the stupid thing up in the first place.
Then what? If the US gov’t, because of its size and special interests, cannot get things right in a lot of areas, what gives anyone the idea that three countries (one of which is failing) will succeed? Yes, NATO succeeds only because its mission is singular. NO if you look at the UN, and the EU ain’t such a hot place economically or from a democratic standpoint either (ever notice that most of the EU ministers and minions are, for the most part, unelected?).
UPDATE 1: (7/26/06)
The Senate bill can be found here .
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Sorry, I am in a real snarky mood today….and now Senator Cornyn (R-Texas) has the gall to try this:
Cornyn wants US taxpayers to fund Mexican development – North American Investment Fund"
How would this be done? Listen to his pitch:
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has quietly introduced a bill to create a "North American Investment Fund" that would tap U.S. and Canadian taxpayers for the development of public works projects in Mexico.
Has all the oxygen gone out of the air in Washington!?!?!?!
Why the heck should we, and the Canadians fork over our hard earned money for what the Mexican gov’t should be providing for its own citizens? It isn’t due to lack of resources – it has large oil deposits, a booming tourism trade, and could be a force in minerals and agriculture. It isn’t because its government is corrupt and broken (otherwise, why else would 1 in 10 Mexican workers be here in the US?).
Are we going to have a choice about this? Do we get a vote (either directly or through our representatives)?
Despite assurances this week from White House press secretary Tony Snow that President Bush opposes the idea of a European Union superstate for North America, the effort, by one of the president’s loyal supporters in the Senate, is sure to spark new questions about negotiations between the leaders of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico on issues ranging from security to the economy.
Add this to the "NAFTA highway" that will extend from Texas to Canada (via Kansas City), the refusal to police our borders and enforce our immigration laws, and President Bush is going to have to do a whole lot of jawin’ to convince me of this.
"Currently, a significant development gap exists between Mexico and the United States and Canada," Cornyn said. "I believe it is in our best interests to find creative ways to bridge this development gap."
And ask yourself WHY there is such a gap there….think it is maybe a cultural one? A governmental one? Just saying that it is in our best interest does not make it so. Rather, it should be in the Mexican government’s best interest to create an economic climate that would encourge business to such a degree that it could do this on their own.
Senate Bill 3622, co-sponsored by Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., specifically authorizes the president to "negotiate the creation of a North American Investment Fund between the governments of Canada, of Mexico, and of the U.S. to increase the economic competitiveness of North America in a global economy."
Gee, see above – President Bush’s statement. Sorry, I don’t buy this at all, as it will be a net drain on the US. Heck, the Asian tigers have already taken out the "Mexican advantage" – why should we spend to try to recreate it? And I don’t even want to think about bridging the culture gap – and yes, I DO believe our culture here in the US is superior to that of Mexico (Multiculturalists, don’t even start with me today).
The fund, if it is ever created, won’t just cost U.S. and Candian taxpayers more, it will also cost Mexican taxpayers a lot more. Cornyn’s bill requires the government of Mexico to raise tax revenue to 18 percent of the gross national product. The current tax rate is approximately 9 percent.
Er, how come their tax rate gets to be less than mine to get this goodie? At least you could have the good sense to have them charge a premium over our highest rate!
As WND reported recently, opposition is mounting to similar programs, including President Bush’s North American Security and Prosperity Partnership.
No, really? Can’t imagine why people would complain….naw, not at all….. Frankly, I have no reason at all as to why I want to join the US and Mexico any more at the hip than what is already present (ditto for Canada).
Maybe this isn’t helping?
Plans by government agencies and private foundations alike promoting deeper cooperation between the three countries – including even a plan for a common currency called the "amero" – are getting more scrutiny in the media, by activists and by public officials.
Sorry, I’m not one of the elites, and this SHOULD be getting more scrutiny. There are reasons why my country is the best in the world (culture, outlook, institutions, and the like). Don’t get me wrong, Canadians are ok, and if Mexico would keep its own folks home by enforcing its northern border with the same vociferiousness it does its southern border, maybe I’d have a better idea of them. But I have no overriding need to be unequally yoked with others any more than we are now.
Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., the chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus as well as author of the new book, "In Mortal Danger," may be the only elected official to challenge openly the plans for the new superstate….is demanding the Bush administration fully disclose the activities of the government office implementing the trilateral agreement that has no authorization from Congress…wants to know the membership of the Security and Prosperity Partnership groups along with their various trilateral memoranda of understanding and other agreements reached with counterparts in Mexico and Canada.
Jim Gilchrist, co-founder of the Minutemen…"It’s time for the Bush administration to come clean," …"If President Bush’s agenda is to establish a new North American union government to supersede the sovereignty of the United States, then the president has an obligation to tell this to the American people directly. The American public has a right to know."
We certainly do! This came up on my radar just a couple of months ago. When I brought up the NAFTA highway up to my friends, they started to look at me as one of the looney conspiracy folks. However, with the dribs and drabs that has started to come out is getting them to start looking back at me with the slack-jaw look of "HUH? where did THIS come from?"
THIS next statement galls me the most in this report:
Geri Word, who heads the SPP office, told WND the work had not been disclosed because, "We did not want to get the contact people of the working groups distracted by calls from the public."
WHAT!!! These folks are making big decisions about MY country without input from the governed? The Republicans went ballistic over Hillary’s healthcare process and the secrecy it had. Well GUESS WHAT! This makes that looks like child’s play!
And Congress has gone nutso over the supposed lack of briefing on intelligence? World Net Daily (that produced the report I am reviewing) says that they
can find no specific congressional legislation authorizing the SPP working groups nor any congressional committees taking charge of oversight. Many SPP working groups appear to be working toward achieving specific objectives as defined by a May 2005 Council on Foreign Relations task force report, which presented a blueprint for expanding the SPP agreement into a North American union that would merge the U.S., Canada and Mexico into a new governmental form.
Putting the soveriegnty of our Constitution where? Our Supreme Court where? Our laws where? And finally, this:
But presidential spokesman Snow ruled out any consideration of a North American superstate a la the European Union.
WND White House correspondent Les Kinsolving asked if the president would categorically deny any interest in building a European Union-style superstate in North America.
"Of course, no," said Snow. "We’re not interested. There is not going to be an EU in the U.S."
I’ve listened too long to too many politicians and PR flacks to know that they parse the
ir words too well to get in a pickle later on. I do not trust them about this at all.
Start a’yelping folks! Actually, yelping is too mild….we’ve got to start screaming and waving heavy objects when we see our national leaders (ok the heavy objects is just to make a point – the screaming is still desired).
