Blog #2 NAFTA

Carlos Salinas, Mexico's former president, said that free trade could only make things better, and would help to keep people from migrating from Mexico to America. Fifteen years later, and this assertion has found to be untrue. While Mexico has increased leaps and bounds in the export of goods, they are still "exporting" about a half a million people a year. Most experts say the blame lies with Mexican leaders, and not in NAFTA itself.

I think we should continue to keep free trade between the Mexico, America and Canada regardless of weather or not it has some negative consequences. I also think we should not really be worried about immigrants coming from Mexico to America, since this has been happening for years and will continue to do so. America is a melting pot, we should be welcoming the immigrants. Additionally I think Mexican leadership really needs to step up and help bring some order to Mexico, and help build a strong economy.



http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/24/business/worldbusiness/24peso.html?pagewanted=all

Labor Unions

Support for unions has declined in recent years. They were very popular when they first started during the recession. Big company bail outs for corporations like GM have saved tons of jobs, turning companies into something of heroes of the working man. Additionally the recession has added an even bigger gap between union loves and union haters.

I think that unions are over all a good thing. People should embrace them, because the working man needs a voice in the current corporation run economic landscape. Those that are not part of a union and do not like them should at least respect others' want for a Union. Stop the worker on worker hate!

Link: http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2011/01/17/110117ta_talk_surowiecki