Trade and Politics and IP

With the primaries of Texas and Ohio looming ever closer, trade is actually becoming a big issue in the presidential contest! But, unfortunately, not in a good way. Both Dems are choosing to demogague the issue to get votes. Obama has flip flopped from his previously sound position stating that he would at least attempt to change the longstanding, failed U.S. "policy" (and I use the word policy lightly) on Cuba. He is also saying he will ban all toy imports from China. What is he? The Burger Meister Meister Burger?

Hillary, on the other hand, is vowing to take a "break" on free trade, and to "renegotiate" NAFTA.

I think it is safe to say that both candidates are simply trying to win votes, and neither will stick to any of their trade positions once in office, because of course those positions make no sense, and even clash with the more sound policies they have posted on their websites. Plus, candidates have a long history of changing positions on trade once in office. Remember Bill Clinton? He was going to ban all trade with China, in response to the "Butchers of Beijing." Turns out he was the most free-trade oriented president we have seen in a long time.

President Bush campaigned on free trade. But his first major trade initiative was to impose a section 201 action on steel imports for purely political reasons. Not free trade at all. So you can't always judge a candidate's trade position from what is being said on the campaign trail.

The NYT has a great article today on presidential politics and trade: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/business/27leonhardt.html?ref=politics

And since we are discussing intellectual property rights tonight in class, you may enjoy reading about our own problems in the US on this issue at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/nyregion/27chinatown.html?ref=nyregion

My Big Bro

My big brother is amazing. I have, of course, as the little sis, always thought he was incredibly cool. When he wanted to listen to Peter Frampton on his 8-track tape, so did I. When he wanted to learn how to "disco dance," so did I. When he wanted to play hockey, so did I. When he wanted to jump his banana seat bike over a home-made jump after careening down the hill in our back yard...well, I drew the line there!

Anyhow, his coolness knows no bounds. He is now a professional fisherman in Florida, and he has just developed an extremely cool website that highlights his accomplishments, knowledge and all around skill. http://www.saltwaterprofessionalconsulting.com/index.html

Anyone interested in fishing, in learning about sustainability in fishing or in simply enjoying the outdoors should get in touch with Tony whenever you are in Florida (or before you go!) http://www.saltwaterprofessionalconsulting.com/index.html

He is just too cool. And professional. And awesome. I am so proud of my big bro!

Student Suggestions

My students are quite and engaged and interesting. They are looking and thinking about trade is there daily lives, and are sending me interesting articles that they are coming across. Here are a few links:
Exports Help Narrow Trade Gap (NYT) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/business/14cnd-trade.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

WTO Ruling Against China on Car Parts
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080213/ap_on_bi_ge/wto_china_auto_parts

Creative Capitalism
http://www.nextbillion.net/blogs/2008/01/31/panelists-take-on-creative-capitalism

Education Issues in Trade
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_06/b4070032762393.htm?chan=magazine+channel_news&campaign_id=rss_daily

Read on friends!

Inspiration

I had an amazing, girl-power day yesterday! I pulled my girls and a friend out of school WAY early to go and see, hear and meet Hillary Clinton. What an inspiration for us! She is so brilliant and gracious. And overall, it was just an incredibly special experience for my young girls to see the political process up close and working, regardless of the candidate. But of course I was thrilled for them to meet and listen to what could be the nation's first female president - they truly got the message that they can do anything from her! She is such a wonderful role model for them. And, of course, she is just so knowledgeable and smart on the issues, and is actually a great speaker. She gets panned for her speaking abilities so often in the media, I was actually surprised (pleasantly so, of course) at the extent to which that characterization is not true. She was also incredibly gracious with my girls and their friends, signing autographs, posing for pictures, shaking hands (which my older daughter then refused to wash all night!) She enthralled my older daughter, who listened carefully to her speech, asked questions about it afterwards, and parsed the issues and ideas. An amazing day!

Fame!

A small, local Arlington paper printed a story about my recent road trip to New Hampshire for Hillary! I not only turned it around for her, I am now famous for it!

http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?paper=60&cat=127&article=93213