President Bush stopped in Miami to talk about free trade on Friday before heading to his Texas ranch for the weekend. The weekend is bookended by fundraisers, with Bush raising money for the Republican Party in Miami on Friday and the Tennessee GOP on Monday. And it leads to a contentious new week in the Capitol, with the president's health care veto on the table. White House photo by Eric Draper.
by Mark Silva
Now comes the test.
Forget all the arguments about the "federalization'' of health care, or children versus the president of the United States. Can Congress override the president's veto of an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program? The veto override attempt is set for Thursday.
The Democrats have the votes in the Senate to override Bush, they believe. The House is another question -- perhaps 15 Republican votes short of an override. Those Republicans and more have been pummelled with ads and phone calls to constituents in their home districts over the past few weeks, and now the question is, will the president's veto hold?
But today, the president and Democratic leaders of Congress are talking past one another.
Today, in their duelling radio addresses, President Bush was talking about free trade agreements that he is attempting to win, acknowledging the unease that many Americans feel about what is happening to their jobs in the bargain. The Democrats were talking about a veto override, potentially their first, with a president who has issued precious few vetoes.
"I know many Americans feel uneasy about new competition and worry that trade will cost jobs,'' the president said in his weekly radio address today. "So the federal government is providing substantial funding for trade adjustment assistance that helps Americans make the transition from one job to the next. ''
Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, pictured right, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, delivered the Democratic response to Bush on the radio today.
"It’s hard to imagine the president telling millions of parents they don’t deserve the same basic care for their kids that the president had for his,'' Baucus said in his address. "But that is exactly what he did. And now it’s up to Congress to come together and override his veto.''
See both of the addresses here:
This is the text of the president's radio address:
"Good morning. This is an historic time for our Nation's economy. Last week, we learned that September was America's 49th consecutive month of job creation -- the longest uninterrupted period of job growth on record. And on Thursday, we learned that the American economy set a new record for exports in a single month. Millions of American jobs depend on exports. More exports support better and higher-paying jobs -- and to keep our economy expanding, we need to keep expanding trade.
"This week, I traveled to Miami to discuss the importance of trade and to call on Congress to pass new free trade agreements. In January of 2001, America had trade agreements in force with three countries. Now we have agreements in force with 14 countries, including seven in Latin America. And Congress now has an opportunity to increase America's access to markets in our hemisphere by passing three more free trade agreements in Latin America with Peru, Colombia, and Panama.
"These three agreements will expand America's access to 75 million customers. These 75 million customers are the equivalent of the populations of California, Colorado, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Massachusetts combined.
"The first of the new Latin American trade agreements that my Administration negotiated is with Peru. This agreement would level the playing field for American businesses and workers and farmers. While almost all Peruvian exports to the United States now enter duty-free, most American exports to Peru face significant tariffs. The free trade agreement would immediately eliminate most of Peru's industrial tariffs, as well as many of its barriers to U.S. agriculture exports, and make American products more affordable and more competitive in that country.
"The second of the new Latin American trade agreements that my Administration negotiated is with Colombia. Colombia is now our fifth largest trading partner in Latin America and the largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in South America. The free trade agreement with Colombia would immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 80 percent of American industrial and consumer exports. It would provide significant new duty-free access for American crops. And for the first time in history, U.S. companies would be able to compete on a level playing field.
"The third of the new Latin American trade agreements that my Administration negotiated is with Panama. This agreement will immediately eliminate tariffs on 88 percent of our industrial and consumer goods exports to Panama. It will increase access for American farmers and ranchers. And it will open opportunities for American businesses to participate in the multi-billion dollar project to expand the Panama Canal.
"As we work to pass these trade agreements with nations in Latin America, we'll also work to pass a landmark free trade agreement with an ally in the Far East -- South Korea. This agreement would open up one of the world's most powerful economies to more American goods and services exports. This agreement is projected to add more than $10 billion to America's economy. And like our agreements in Latin America, this agreement would strengthen our relationship with a democratic partner in a critical part of the world.
"I know many Americans feel uneasy about new competition and worry that trade will cost jobs. So the Federal government is providing substantial funding for trade adjustment assistance that helps Americans make the transition from one job to the next. We are working to improve Federal job-training programs. And we are providing strong support for America's community colleges, where people of any age can go to learn new skills for a better, high-paying career.
"Expanding trade will help our economy grow. By passing these trade agreements, we will also serve America's security and moral interests. We will strengthen our ties with our friends. We will help counter the false populism promoted by hostile nations. And we will help young democracies show their people that freedom, openness, and the rule of law are the surest path to a better life. So I call on Congress to act quickly and get these agreements to my desk.
"Thank you for listening.''
This is the text of the Democratic Party's response:
“Good morning, this is Senator Max Baucus from Montana. For those of us who are parents, one of life’s greatest privileges and responsibilities is to give our children the chance for a better life than we had. From sporting events, to vacations, to graduations, even first dates, watching our children grow up is the greatest, and at times scariest, experience of our life.
“And as a parent there is nothing worse than seeing your son or daughter in pain. In my home state of Montana, a mother named Fawn Tuhy knows this well. When Fawn’s daughter Abigail was two, Abigail fell down and split her head open. She had to have nine stitches. That same year, Abigail’s six-year-old brother broke his arm twice. Abigail and her two siblings get good medical care because they are among the six and a half million children covered by CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program. CHIP paid for Abigail’s stitches. CHIP covered her brother’s surgery and hospital stay. And, through CHIP, Abigail gets the immunizations and checkups she needs to stay well.
“For all the talk about partisanship and gridlock in Washington, CHIP has been an amazing example of what government can do when we work together. Ten years ago, I was part of a team of Democrats and Republicans who sat down together to create the CHIP program. We realized that giving kids the medical care they need isn’t a Democratic priority or a Republican priority. It’s an American priority.
“This year, we worked together again to make CHIP even better. Our new extension of CHIP would increase the number of eligible kids by more than 3 million – including 12,000 in my home state of Montana. It’s hard to imagine the President telling millions of parents they don’t deserve the same basic care for their kids that the President had for his. But that is exactly what he did. And now it’s up to Congress to come together and override his veto.
“Many Republicans have already committed to stand by their vote for CHIP. But many have not. Now, every Republican must decide whether they will stand with the President and his veto – or stand with our children and their right to a healthy future.
“So for Abigail Tuhy, and the 12,000 children from Montana waiting for coverage, and for the millions more from coast to coast who need CHIP, I ask you to tell your Senators and Member of Congress to override President Bush’s veto. This is America. All our children should be able to see a doctor. This is Senator Max Baucus from Montana. All the best
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Comments
Why aren't the Democrats fighting "free" trade?!
Because they're virtually useless, all about protecting the status quo and simply one wing of the single party that rules America, that's why.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 13, 2007 10:52 AM
Free Trade Good. Veto SCHIP expansion good. Good job President Bush.
Posted by: Terry | October 13, 2007 11:23 AM
The S-CHIP program is to help poor children, not to add middle class children, upper middle class children, adults and illegal aliens. Plain and simple.
Posted by: John D | October 13, 2007 11:34 AM
Congress needs to take a break on passing any more free trade agreements.
Please show me instances where any free trade agreement has helped American workers, or how the trade agreements help to keep production plants in America. "Free" trade agreements erode whatever we, our parents and grandparents have built here for ourselves. Free trade agreements are about corporations being free to go find the least expensive workers while finding the least regulatory conditions. "Free" trade agreements usually water down America- we, more than not, get the short end of the stick. That is getting old. We do not need more NAFTA. Another president is, once again, pushing "The United States of Latin America" or "The United States of North America" No thanks. Where are the patriots?
Posted by: Vivian | October 13, 2007 11:45 AM
I can't help but wonder if this "free trade" thing would be a moot point if our jobs weren't outsourced to India in the first place.
Posted by: Michael | October 13, 2007 12:24 PM
Kids have health care. The needy already have health care. The U.S. is not a socialist state. The government caused the problem with health care in America by over socializing medicine to the extent it is not completive, and we want to exacerbate the problem? U.S. Capitalism refers to an economic system in which the means of production are all owned and operated for profit, and in which investments, distribution, income, production and pricing of goods and services are determined through the operation of a market economy. It is the right of individuals and groups of individuals acting as "legal persons" or corporations to trade capital goods, labor, land and money (see finance and credit). See http://www.InteliOrg.com/
Posted by: Dr Coles | October 13, 2007 12:26 PM
Don't be confused anonymous. The democrats will not support free trade, but they have to address the issue at hand first. They're not allowing the president to direct the attention of the people away from healthcare with hisfree trade agenda. a very important vote is taking place soon and with only a few more supporters from the republicans they can override the veto.
Posted by: Terrance | October 13, 2007 12:42 PM
Kids have health care. The needy already have health care
Posted by: Dr Coles | October 13, 2007 12:26 PM
Are you a real doctor...or more like Dr. Zuess?
Posted by: bill r. | October 13, 2007 12:46 PM
You hit the nail on the head Dr. F Coles.
I checked out IntelliOrg, your website (and web hosting service) and while I may take issue with some of the economic points your bring up on your website ($100 setup fee for a 3rd level domain?? Smirky Jr can set one up in an hour!) I do agree that we are not a socialist country.
I am tired of seeing my tax dollars handed out to US veteran benefit programs, bonuses for new recruits and retaining desired personnel, and that dad-blasted GI bill.
Where the H-E-double- hockey sticks is the Capitalist profit in that?
And suppose they use that bonus money to pay for their childrens Health Care? Aint that SCHIP in action??
You cant pick or choose who lives on the government dole, dadgummit. Its either Capitalism or it aint, by cracky.
Posted by: Smirky McFlightsuit | October 13, 2007 1:33 PM
Let's face it, as a country we really don't care about little kids or poor people. We care about big business. We like most of the ten commandments but not the part "Thou shalt not kill." Killing is okay if we deem someone a villain or some country a rogue country even if it is not mentioned directly in the Bible. We all know that Jesus would support our killing anywhere in the world that er choose.
Posted by: Joe Barrett | October 13, 2007 1:37 PM
Let's not hear any Democrats moaning about free trade. NAFTA was Bill Clinton's baby, remember? And guess what it'll be if his erstwhile wife is elected. Meanwhile, the unions tumble all over one another to endorse her. When you're waving to her on the platform, you'll be waving your jobs goodbye, also.
Posted by: Grover C. | October 13, 2007 2:21 PM
Just what we need some more nafta to finally kill off the middle class.This is what republicans do, they want to have their 1%er ideals forced onto the rest of us for their profit.As far as sociallized medicine is concerned, any option is better than the scam were currently being screwed by. Corporate welfare is ok in the non big government, government of the republican lexicon. The rich think just like Chimpy McFlight suit, they were born on third base and were told by their wetnurses that they hit a triple,they are right and we are too stupid to be allowed to make public policy that might take some of the profit from their cronies. And Herr Dr. Coles, I don't know who's stash you've been dipping into, yours or the bloated budget hospital you profit from, but please explain for the less informed out here, just exactly where this "all the children are covered" exists? Because as someone else who works in the medical world, all I see is people with no insurance, not enough insurance, too high deductibles, and co-pays that 30 years ago covered the cost of an emergency room visit. For the cost of this BS make believe war GWB lied us into, we could have the infrastructure fixed, the people repaired, the schools not falling apart and you could still make your mercedes benz payment.And any one who says that hospitals can be run at a profit and still provide the best possible medical care for the paying customer is either high or stupid.True Capitalism works in theory, like true democracy works great in theory: great in the classroom, not viable or practical in the real world. As far as free market economy is concerned, free works great if you can afford to absorb the bribes, deceit, and corruption that acutally make up "the free market". And then you just pass that cost on to the end consumer, right.The ultimate deal with the devil is when Nixon allowed the insurance companies to start owning hopitals, thereby creating the for profit only HMO system that has ruined health care in this country.
Posted by: major Fubar | October 13, 2007 2:41 PM
I'm counting the minutes until the right wingnut blogosphere starts "swiftboating" Ms. Tuhy and her daughter.
Posted by: BC | October 13, 2007 3:30 PM
Did anyone note the part where Bush talked about adjustments for Americans that lose their jobs as a result of free trade? Well that's nice of him. You might get fired, but hey, don't worry, George will find you a new job. I also have strong faith in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.
Posted by: Laurence E Siegel | October 13, 2007 4:28 PM
Last week, Bernie Sanders - democratic socialist from Vermont - was trying to defeat teh free trade bill in Costa Rica and one of the talking heads made this analogy about free trade.
Why doesn't the state of Vermont ban the import of goods not only from other countries but other states. Think of all the jobs that would create in auto manufacturing, and consumer good production, etc... So what's the downside - think of what the costs of those goods would be.
Free trade has economies like ours produce goods and services that take educated skills and they leave the more menial things to others, This way our economy becomes stronger.
Posted by: Terry | October 13, 2007 5:03 PM
Clueless BC, the Frost family was not "swiftboated." First of all, in regard to them the S-CHIP program worked. Bush and most Republicans are against EXTENDING the program beyond its original purpose.
Second, in regard to the Frost family, they made their choices. They made the choice of two mortgages, one on the house and one on the warehouse. Both sets of grandparents are well off. They easily could have helped.
When my sister and her family needed some money, where did it come from? Our parents, not some government program.
Fourteen years ago I needed some help, again parents helped, not the government.
Thirty years ago my parents needed some financial help. Again, in that case my mom's mom and my dad's parents helped out. No government program necessary. No taxpayer assistance necessary. It's called life. Wake up to it.
Posted by: John D | October 13, 2007 5:15 PM
John D, "the Joseph Stalin of Streamwood", I'm glad to see that your family has supported each other over the years. It's nice that you have them to fall back on, unlike others who don't have a family network that can help them out financially.
But having you face up to that reality probably will make your sphincter clench so tightly that, if you stuck a lump of coal in it, you'd have a diamond by Friday.
Posted by: BC | October 13, 2007 7:00 PM
Clueless BC, did you miss the part of both sets of inlaws for the Frost family are very well off?
Again, the S-CHIP program is for those who truly need it - -the poor. It does not need extension into the middle and upper middle class, adults and illegals.
Posted by: John D | October 14, 2007 1:14 AM
Bush making money for his fatcat friends in corporate America. In the meantime jobs go abroad.
Ever get the feeling you've been ripped off!!!
Posted by: Beavis | October 14, 2007 4:35 AM
Did all of you forget that Bill Clinton fathered the North American Free Trade
Agreement? Where were all of you then? Or is it a bad idea only when a Republican
supports it? Oh, and by the way, someone named Clinton is reported to be running for something again. So don't expect a reversal on free trade philosophy.
Posted by: Santorini | October 14, 2007 10:04 AM
Did all of you forget that Bill Clinton fathered the North American Free Trade
Agreement? Where were all of you then? Or is it a bad idea only when a Republican
supports it? Oh, and by the way, someone named Clinton is reported to be running for something again. So don't expect a reversal on free trade philosophy.
Posted by: Santorini | October 14, 2007 10:04 AM
Bush pushes free trade, Democrats a veto override.
Wow Santorini, I could have swore the story was about Mr Bush.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 14, 2007 11:16 AM
Sen. Max Baucus of Montana stated:
"It’s hard to imagine the president telling millions of parents they don’t deserve the same basic care for their kids that the president had for his . . ."
Yes, and then I suppose its hard for him to imagine the President telling the People that they don't deserve:
to live in the White House,
to earn the salary he makes; or,
to fly free anywhere in the world on Air Force One,
although that has been the case for years.
Baucus’ logic is flawed, but it doesn't have to go untested. We can all send our utility, rent and medical insurance bills to Senator Baucus, and ask that he pay for them too. After all, it is equally "hard to imagine" that we should have to pay for these things because the President gets them free too.
Personally, I find it “hard to imagine” that the good people of the Big Sky State would elect such an empty suit. Senator Baucus is an embarrassment to the human race for having conceived of such idiocy and then spewing it in a public forum.
Posted by: John W. | October 14, 2007 6:20 PM
John W., but the comments by Baucus are nothing but ear candy. You tell folks fairy tales and they will be happy. So many folks here hear about how wonderful things are in France, for instance. Mortgage/rent paid for by your employer. Medical care covered by the government. Yet, the reality is unemployment in many European countries is in double digits and has been for years. Productivity and the economy largely have been stagnant.
More than 80 percent of Americans have good medical coverage. Some of the 20 that do not choose not to have medical coverage. And then there are some that don't have it because they are between jobs. Others don't have it because they are poor and there are programs already in place that help those folks out.
But it is good to see that Baucus is no longer the moderate he was when Republicans ran the Senate and is now in full-throttle with the Loony Left leadership with the Senate. It will help recapture his seat for the GOP when he is up for re-election.
Posted by: John D | October 14, 2007 7:59 PM
[quote]
Clueless BC, did you miss the part of both sets of inlaws for the Frost family are very well off?
Posted by: John D | October 14, 2007 1:14 AM
[/quote]
Is this your OPINION being posted as if it were a fact, or is it really true?
If it really is a fact, then you should have NO PROBLEM posting a link to PROOF backing up your claim.
Posted by: BC | October 15, 2007 12:01 PM
[quote]
Clueless BC, did you miss the part of both sets of inlaws for the Frost family are very well off?
Posted by: John D | October 14, 2007 1:14 AM
[/quote]
Is this your OPINION being posted as if it were a fact, or is it really true?
If it really is a fact, then you should have NO PROBLEM posting a link to PROOF backing up your claim.
Posted by: BC | October 15, 2007 12:01 PM
He never does BC. John has a tendency to just spew negative stuff about defeatocrats, or demoncrats etc...blah,blah,blah. Ad nausea. For example today he takes aim at the French health care system. A culture I might add that he has repeatedly insulted. Here's a few links about the french health care system.
http://www.civitas.org.uk/pubs/bb2France.php
Beyond these impending crises, American and French health care systems share several fundamental principles. Nonetheless, a World Health Organization report published in 2001 found that France has the best overall health care system among the 191 countries surveyed while the U.S. ranked 37th behind virtually all European countries as well as Morocco, Oman, and Costa Rica. Several factors explain the differences in the rankings of France and the United States. The most prominent factor was the large number of Americans whose access to care is limited because of their lack of health insurance—estimates range between 39 and 43 million. Despite this lack of coverage, America still spends far and away the most on its health care system at 13.7% of GDP while France spends 9.8%, placing it in the fourth position.
The WHO rankings, however, do not mean that the French system is unequivocally superior to the American. In fact, both systems could profit from an understanding of the other's strengths. Toward that end, this analysis paper compares the health care systems of both countries and assesses how they can learn from each other in order to deal with their impending health care crises.
http://www.brookings.edu/articles/2002/07france_dutton.aspx
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | October 15, 2007 2:27 PM