Congress needs to step up and vote no

For many members of Congress, including Rep. Rick Larsen, the parades, fairs and proclamations that go with the Fourth of July holiday unofficially kick-off campaigns for the midterm elections. But when Congress returns to Washington, voters should observe how Rep. Larsen votes on the Fast Track Trade Authority Bill that tips the checks and balances of democracy toward the executive branch.

Fast track was created during the Nixon Administration when trade policy was about tariffs and quotas. In today’s global economy, trade agreements impact food safety, labor rights, environmental laws, local banking and tax standards and public utilities. Trade agreements today can even mean taxpayer-funded compensation to foreign corporations who lose money because of public interest laws.

California, for example, is being sued by a Canadian corporation for $1 billion under NAFTA for the “crime” of banning a toxic gasoline additive that the company exports to the state.

Trade affects too many aspects of our lives for Congress to give President Bush a blank check. As we all learned in grade school, the checks and balances of government, along with an active and voting public, are what make democracy work. Rick Larsen should stand up as a true patriot for our democracy and vote no on Fast Track.

Everett