1.5 Billion in Aid

National Post

The Liberal government, days away from a non-confidence vote in Parliament that will trigger an election campaign, announced Thursday a $1.5-billion forest industry aid package.

More than half the money will go to help lumber exporters caught in the softwood trade war with the United States.

It's about time the government did something good on this front. They've taken little jabs at the US over this lumber dispute, but nothing has really been done. NAFTA, which from what I can tell stands for The U.S. of A can take all your shit if they feel like it, subsidize the heck out of their own farmers and fruit growers, but if you try to help your own country out, then the U.S. will screw you over, seems like a complete waste of time for Canadians. I think Mexico made out quite well after signing the agreement, and the States made out even better, but I just can't see how Canadians are benefitting.

So the Liberal government, right before they're about to get kicked off their mantle, decides to announce an aid package. That's great! I can understand why they would do it right before the non-confidence vote. Good strategy if an early election is called. Hopefully that money will be used to help out the people who lost their jobs (in a roundabout way, through job creation). No, wait... There's more.

The U.S. turns around and says this:

The package drew quick criticism from the U.S. government.

Well of course it did!

"Today's announcement is disappointing," U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman said in a statement. "Only days after we fully complied with a NAFTA decision, Canada responds by announcing huge new subsidies.

"Canada's actions illustrate what the United States has been saying all along: the Canadian industry is the beneficiary of subsidies that create an un-level playing field to the detriment of the U.S. industry."

So after finally listening to NAFTA and taking off most of the duties they illegally imposed, the United States is going to turn around and do it all over again. And they'll probably do just this:

"That is not a guarantee that American protectionists will not launch further countervail actions," he said. "We know that it doesn't take much for them to create often a fictitious case and drag it out for years."

Which would make sense, because the Americans are comparatively moronic in their ideals to the Mongols. And we all know what happened to them, right? Believing yourself to be superior to the rest of the world, pushing values on other countries, and all around bullying is only getting them further in the doghouse with the rest of the world. I have to say, "Hey George! --- You ever wonder why everybody hates you? It's because you piss off too many people. Stop messing with other countries."

If you're going to sign a North American Free Trade Agreement then stick with it! Don't sign a contract that you can't live up to.

Canada believed it won a decisive victory last summer when a top NAFTA panel ruled Canadian lumber posed no threat of injury to U.S. producers. But the U.S. government refused to return duties already collected, citing its compliance with a WTO ruling on the same issue.

Prime Minister Paul Martin has warned that stance undermines support for NAFTA and its rules.
"Canada will vigorously defend its efforts to help sustain an industry that is being unjustly persecuted while the U.S. continues to ignore NAFTA panel decisions," Trade Minister Jim Peterson said from Ottawa.

However, he suggested the aid could be reconsidered if Washington cancels the duties.

"If the U.S. actually does the right thing - that is, drop the duties and return our money - the support package can be reviewed," Peterson said. "Until then the government will stand behind our workers and we will keep reminding the U.S. of the need to respect the letter and spirit of the NAFTA."

It's sad, really. We don't have the balls to stand up to G.W. and his cronies. Their little boys club isn't doing anything for their reputation, either here, or in the rest of the world. What's a bit shocking to me is the reaction of the citizens of the U.S. that I have talked to. They don't seem to support George Bush or his administration in any sort of way, yet they allow him to continue running the country. What is his approval rating at right now? Next to nil? So why has a coup not occured?

When is enough, enough? The bullying and jockying for world domination must end. Who's going to stop it? One government or another, or even a few, must stand up and fight for their rights as citizens of the planet earth. I think it'll be the Chinese. With their economy booming and their population poised to buy out most of the world, we'll all be under their control in the next 10 years anyway. Ah well.