Happy Birthday America

Today is the 229th birthday for America. Not many countries have lasted more than 200 years without a political collapse from within, or from an external threat. In fact Abraham Lincoln warned of the possibility that America could fall from within, rather than from external threats.

While today would be a very good day to avoid any partisanship, still a nationalistic concern for America should begin with a renewal of nationalist values. Trade agreements such as NAFTA, WTO and CAFTA, threaten America's manufacturing sector and drive high paying American jobs away to labor cheap nations and threaten the living standard of Americans.

A simply "Buy American" campaign or legislation is probably illegal under the massive legal prohibitions written into the CAFTA legislation. In fact, in a number of signing countries, legislators were called to approve this legislation at 2or 3AM, without even being allowed to read the legislation. Equally many legislators in America have not read the legislation either. On the same day that Vice President Cheney pandered to the right wing concerns with illegal immigration with some strong statements against illegal immigration, he failed to note that the CAFTA legislation being considered that day will dramaticly boost legal immigration from Central America with provisions written into CAFTA to allow far more workers from Central America to legally immigrate here. I personally believe America to be a nation of immigrants, yet the Administration is again holding up one standard to it's supporters while offering legislation the very same day intended to do just the opposite. This disconnect from reality is a problem that prevades our government. A disconnect that so many trade agreements are not in America's best interest, yet become law with little dissent.

But the worst features of CAFTA will be a blow to America farmers with provisions that will further weaken American agriculture. And not only CAFTA is a big threat to American agriculture, but China plans to target this area of the American economy next. A top Chinese official recently stated that "America has no business in the agriculture business". Just like American manufacturing this will become the next area of America's economy to be sliced off. America cannot take the steady dismantling of her economy and remain a powerful force in the future. Yet even American's future national security interests may be compromised as China now seeks to purchase both UNOCAL and Chevron Oil. If America does not control her manufacturing, argriculture, or her own oil supply, and banks in Japan, South Korea and China only keep the American government solvent through bonds they hold to finance our government and her debts, then how long can America stand on her own. Is there another 200 years left for America? Another 100 years? Another 50 years? Another 20 years?

While China has taken a huge bite into American manufacturing jobs, CAFTA will open the doors to the rapid decline of American farming to low cost Central American imports. The consumer may gain somewhat, but the American farmer loses a great deal. America will not be a stronger country with less farmers. Nearly all the Founding Fathers of America had farming their stated occupation.

Lincoln was right that the threat to America would come from within. Some major capitalists seek to boost their own profits by huge trade deals for cheaply produced imports to flood America, while higher paying American manufacturing jobs steadily dry up.

America is a great county. And every American should have her best interests in their heart. And this means opposition to major capitalists who seek to weaken America and sell out her economy to foreign powers.

Some Americans will express their "support" for America today by drinking beer, lighting fireworks, or having a picnic. Others like me are concerned for a strong America where foreign powers are not allowed to dismantle our economy. Some today will express their support for America by displaying the flag. Others like me are concerned that most of these American flags are "Made In China".

Every American should enjoy this July 4th holiday today. But every American should be concerned for her future and protect that future. God bless every American and America today.