To all of you!!
While I really enjoy a good hard debate, this discussion is getting a little out of hand!
To our Canadian friend, perhaps you should go back to the turn of the previous century and really review the actions of the US presidents in the International Political mileau! I think a scholarly review of those actions will be a revelation to you. Both Democrats and Republicans have had their share of belicose, hard-driving and effective leaders in the office of the Presidency. Both parties have also had their share of poke-along, wishy-washy dreamers.
All in all they have just about balanced each other out as to their effectiveness in office.
While Clinton may, or may not, be actively (and for remuneration) lobbying for the DR-CAFTA, he does have the reputation of being a very smooth politician.
I might add that the only reason he wasn't impeached was because Congress didn't want to further soil the already shaky image of the US in international eyes. Personally, I think he should have been impeached on moral grounds, but that is water under the bridge.
What IS important is the question of the passage of the DR-CAFTA as soon as possible. A lo depends on it being made official. And, YES, it has Pro's and Con's as to the overall and long range effect on the economies of the nations affected, INCLUDING the US! Let's get one thing straight, DR-CAFTA isn't JUST FOR the US economy, but for all the signatory nations.
Our Sr. NalOws, and others, both here and in the US, have focussed on the "corn-syrup" aspect of the agreement. Frankly, my tastebuds aren't so finely tuned as to be able to detect the difference between "corn-syrup" and "pure-sugar" in my soft drinks and candy anyway.
I personally think that when (if) the agreement passes, ou'll see a better quality merchandise, better quality canned goods, better quality beef products on the shelves than you see now without the agreement.
I know that I'm in a minority in my view of just how the DR-CAFTA will affect the economy here, but my statement above as to quality still stands.
Texas Bill