Why The Export-Import Bank Is Important

Minnie Bee's Rant:

     A few days ago, the Senate voted not to re-authorize the Export-Import (E-I) Bank.  Although re-authorization was supported by Democrats, and some Republicans, it was opposed primarily by the airline industry - most notably Delta Airlines. 

     Reauthorization of the E-I Bank  should be a no-brainer.  The bank, an independent federal agency that was established during the Great Depression, provides financial assistance, mostly in the form of bridge loans and credit guarantees, that supports the sale of American-made products overseas.  The bank also tries to "level the playing field" for American businesses in the global marketplace by providing subsidies to those U.S. companies who are competing with foreign firms that are subsidized by their governments.

     Given the state of the U.S. economy, and the fact that selling "Made in USA" products overseas creates and maintains American jobs, one would think that re-authorizing the bank would be a good thing.  So why do the airlines oppose it?  Primarily because the E-I Bank has given subsidies to Boeing, who sells American-made airplanes overseas.  Delta claims that the E-I assistance given to Boeing has given foreign airlines an unfair competitive advantage because it has enabled them to save money on new, U.S.-made Boeing planes. Funny how Delta, along with other large, poorly managed American airlines, never complained when it received its share of approximately 15 billion dollars in government bailout money from the federal government after 9/11.

     Although there is some bi-partisan support for re-authorizing the E-I Bank, as well as expanding its funding ability, many Republican lawmakers oppose it because they are against federal subsidies for free enterprise.  Funny, if free enterprise is all that important to them, why aren't they complaining about the millions of dollars in federal government subsidies being paid to big oil companies.?

     The Export-Import Bank, like other entities run by humans, is not perfect.  It has drawn its share of criticism and controversy, primarily over financial assistance given to large corporations like Boeing, as well as to those companies doing business with unfriendly countries in the global marketplace.  However, the E-I, on the whole, has been an effective force for helping American businesses, including the American small business owner.  Last year alone, the Export-Import Bank financed $41 billion in U.S. exports from more than 3,600 U.S. companies.  With a track record like this, we cannot afford to lose the Export-Import Bank.  In the meantime, the airlines might better be served by taking the money they pay a multitude of Washington lobbyists to influence politicians, and putting it back into their business and the people who work for them.

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Be a jobs creator with your shopping cart! We create and keep U.S. jobs when we demand, promote, and buy "Made in USA" goods and products. Check out our shopping list below and replace one, two, or three of the foreign-made products you usually buy with one, two, or three of these products. As always, check labels before buying, and feel free to post your own research to this blog. Remember, "distributed by" or "manufactured by" does not mean that it was made here, regardless of the company address. It must state that it was made in or a product (produce) of the USA!

Note: We have added some new categories - mostly non-food items. We will continue to add categories, as well as make new recommendations for "Made in USA" products.
DUE TO LOCALLY FARMED EASTER EGGS, USA-MADE EASTER CANDY, AND STREIT'S MATZO, WE WILL NOT BE BLOGGING AGAIN UNTIL THE SECOND WEEK OF APRIL.  LOOK FOR A NEW POST ON OR AROUND SUNDAY, APRIL 15TH.  IN THE MEANTIME, HAVE A HAPPY EASTER AND/OR PASSOVER, AND A WONDERFUL SPRING BREAK!

Minnie Bee's "Made in USA" Shopping List:

* = new recommendation

**= new category

Beverages

· Inko's 100% Natural White Iced Tea - Made in USA by Inko's White Iced Tea, New York, NY

Candy

· Necco Wafers, Clark Bars, Mighty Malt Malted Milk Balls, Mary Janes, Canada Mints, Valentine Conversation Hearts and other candy products - Made in USA by New England Confectionery Co. (NECCO), Revere, MA

· AmeriCandy - Made in USA by AmeriCandy Co., Inc., Louisville, KY

· Bissinger's Candy - Made in USA by Bissinger's, St. Louis, MO

· Hammond's Candies - Made in USA by Hammond's Candy Factory, Denver, CO

· See's Candies - Made in USA by See's Candy Shops, Inc., Carson, CA

· Stewart Candy - Made in USA by Stewart Candy Co., Waycross, GA

· Sweet's Candy - Made in USA by Sweet Candy Co., Salt Lake City, UT

· Wolfgang Candy - Made in USA by Wolfgang Candy Co., Inc., York, PA

· Red Vines - Product of USA by American Licorice Co., Union City, CA

· Mike & Ike, Hot Tamales -Made in USA by Just Born, Inc., Bethlehem, PA

Canned Vegetables

· Margaret Holmes canned vegetables - Product of USA by McCall Farms, Effingham, SC

· Del Monte canned vegetables(check labels, not all cans bear the "packed in USA" statement!)- Packed in USA by Del Monte Foods, San Francisco, CA

Cereal (Hot)

· Safeway Instant Oatmeal - Made in USA by Safeway, Inc., Pleasanton, CA

· Maypo Maple Oatmeal and Wheatena hot cereal - Made in USA by Homestat Farm, Ltd., Dublin, CA

· Old Wessex Creamy Oat Bran, Irish-Style Oatmeal, and 5-Grain Cereal - Made in USA by Old Wessex, Inc., Providence, RI

· Nature's Path Hot Oatmeal - Made in USA by Nature's Path Foods, Inc., Blaine, WA

Cereal Bars

· Eating Right Oats & Peanut Butter Bars - Product of USA by Lucerne Foods, Pleasanton, CA

· Safeway Variety Pack Chewy Granola Bars, Safeway Chewy Pretzel Bars - Product of USA by Lucerne Foods, Pleasanton, CA

· Eviro Kidz Bars - Product of USA by Nature's Path Foods, Blaine, WA

· Annie's Organic Granola Bars - Product of USA by Annie's, Berkeley, CA

· Nature's Path Granola Bars - Product of USA by Nature's Path Foods, Blaine, WA

Cheese

· Sargento's cheese - Product of USA by Sargento Foods, Inc., Plymouth, WI

Clothing

· Beyond Clothing - Made in USA by Beyond Clothing, Seattle, WA

· Eagle Sportswear - Made in USA by Eagle USA, Wendell, NC

· Red Ants Pants - Made in USA by Red Ants Pants, White Sulphur Springs, MT

· Wearable Integrity - Made in USA by Barbara Lesser, Los Angeles, CA

· Bayside Apparel- Made in USA by Bayside USA (union), Anaheim, CA

Coffee

· New England Coffee - Made in USA by New England Tea and Coffee Co., Inc., Malden, MA

Coffee Creamer

· Silk Creamer - Made in USA by WhiteWave Foods, Broomfield, CO

Computer Printer Paper

· Printworks Multipurpose Paper - Made in USA by Paris Business Products, Westhampton, NJ

· up & up Multipurpose Printer Paper - Made in USA by Target Brands,
Inc., Minneapolis, MN

· Hemmi Papilio Decal Paper- Made in USA by Hemmi Papilio Supplies LLC, Decatur, TX

Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, relish, salsa, BBQ sauces& marinades)

· Original Juan Mayonnaise, BBQ Sauce, Hot Sauce, Salsa – Made in USA by Original Juan Specialty Foods, Kansas City, KS

· French's Mustard - Made in USA by French's Foods, Reckitt Benckiser, Inc., Parsippany, NJ

· Heinz Tomato Ketchup ((check labels, not all bottles bear the "Mfd. in USA" statement!) - Manufactured in USA by H.J. Heinz Co., L.P., Pittsburgh, PA

Cooking Oil

· California Olive Ranch Olive Oil -Product of California, USA by California Olive Ranch, Inc., Oroville, CA

Cookies

· Safeway Chocolate Teddy Bear Cookies, Grin & Bear It! - Product of USA by Safeway, Inc., Pleasanton, CA

· Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Baked Graham Snacks (all flavors) - Baked in USA by Pepperidge Farms, Inc., Norwalk, CT

Crackers

· Pepperidge Farm (all crackers, Goldfish crackers, and crisps) - Baked in USA by Pepperidge Farms, Inc., Norwalk, CT

· Westminster Crackers - Made in USA by Westminster Cracker Co., Rutland, VT

· Ry-Krisp Crackers - Made in USA by Bremner Food Group, Princeton, KY

· Breton crackers (all except Vinta and Breton Minis) - Made in USA by Dare Foods USA, Spartanburg, SC

· Streit's matzo - Product of USA by Aron Streit, Inc., New York, NY

Dips, Hummus

· Sabra Hummus -Product of USA by Sabra Dipping Co., LLC, White Plains, NY

Dried Fruit

· Craisins - Made in the USA by Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., Lakeville-Middleboro, MA

Fruits and Vegetables

· Fruits and vegetables that are "Product /Produce of USA," including "locally grown" fruits and vegetables (as they come into season.)

· Clem'n Tina's Mandarin Oranges - Produce of USA by SunWest, Parlier, CA

· Classic Dover Strawberries - Product of USA by Mike Lott Farm, Seffner, FL (also other FL strawberry farms-check labels)

· Cuties Mandarin Oranges - Produce of USA by Cuties Cooperatives, Bakersfield, CA

· Apples/Pommes - Produce of USA by Rainier Fruit Company, Selah, WA

Fruit and Vegetable Wash

· All Natural Veggie Wash Fruit and Vegetable Wash - Made in USA by Beaumont Products, Inc., Kennesaw, GA

Hair Care Products

· California North Hair Care Products- Made in USA by California North, Sausalito, CA

· J Beverly Hills Hair Care Products- Made in USA by Juan Juan, Beverly Hills, CA

· Pureology Serious Color Care - Made in USA by Purelogy Research LLC, Irvine, CA

· Alterna Professional Haircare - Made in USA by Alterna Professional Haircare, Beverly Hills, CA

Mac n' Cheese

· Annie's Macaroni and Cheese - Made in USA by Annie's, Inc., Napa CA

Meals/Frozen Dinners

· Annie's Skillet Meals - Made in USA by Annie's, Inc., Napa, CA

Milk and Milk Products

· Silk Soymilk - Made in USA by WhiteWave Foods, Broomfield, CO

Notebook Paper

· Roselle notebook paper - Made in USA by Roselle Paper Co., Roselle, NJ

· Top Flight 81/2 x 11 spiral notebooks (only) - Made in USA by Top Flight, Chattanooga, TN

· Smart Living notebook paper (only)- Made in USA by American Sales Co., Lancaster, NY

Notebooks, Spiral

· up&up spiral notebooks - Made in USA by Target Brands, Inc., Minneapolis, MN

· Basic spiral notebooks; Norcom composition books; Basic notebook paper, Norcom notebook paper - Made in USA by Norcom, Inc., Griffin, GA

Paper Products

· Vanity Fair Premium Napkins - Made in USA by Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products, LP, Atlanta, GA

· up & up paper plates, bowls - Made in USA by Target Corp., Minneapolis, MN

Pencils and Pens

· Pilot Easy Touch retractable pens (only) - Made in USA by Pilot Corp. of America, Jacksonville, FL

· USA Gold "The Write Dudes" wood case pencils (only) - Made in USA by USA Gold (Mega Brands), Lewisburg, TN

· General's wood case pencils- Made in USA by General Pencil Co., Jersey City, NJ

Pizza, Frozen

•  Freschetta Pizza, Red Baron Pizza - Made in USA by Schwan Food Co., Marshall, MN

**Plates, Tableware

·         *Fiesta Dinnerware - Made in USA by The Homer Laughlin China Co., Newell WV

Power Bars

· Eating Right Nutrition Bar - Product of USA by Lucerne Foods, Inc., Pleasanton, CA

· Kind and Kind Plus Fruit and Nut Bars - Product of Kind Healthy Snacks, New York, NY

Salad Dressing

· Annie's Salad Dressing - Made in USA by Annie's, Inc., Napa, CA

· Bragg Healthy Vinaigrette - Product of USA by Bragg Live Food Products, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA

Skin Care Products

· St. Ives 100% Moisturizer - Made in USA by St. Ives Laboratories, Inc.,

Los Angeles, CA

·         Mario Badescu Skincare (all products) - Made in USA by Mario Badescu, New York, NY

·         Neutrogena Body Oil - Made in USA Neutrogena Corp., Los Angeles, CA

Snacks

· popchips - Made in USA by popchips, San Francisco, CA

· Pretzel Crisps - Made in USA by Snack Factory, Princeton, NJ

· Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, Baked Naturals, cracker chips - Baked in USA by Pepperidge Farm, Inc., Norwalk, CN

· Stacy's Pita Chips - Made in USA by Stacy's Pita Chips, Dallas, TX

Soups, canned and packets

· Nature's Promise "Naturals" soup - Product of USA by Foodhold USA, LLC, Landover, MD

· Campbell's Chunky, Select Harvest, and Condensed soups (canned and microwaveable) - Cooked in USA by Campbell's Soup Co., Camden, NJ

· Shore Lunch soup mix - Made in USA by Sportsman Recipes, Inc., Rome, GA

· Streit's Matzo Ball and Soup mix, and Egg Drop soup mix - Product of USA by Aron Streit, Inc., New York, NY

· Manischewitz Ball Soup, and Matzo Balls in Broth (canned in glass jars), and Matzo Ball and Soup mix - Product of USA by The Manischewitz Co., Secaucus, NJ

· Safeway soup mix - Product of USA by Safeway, Inc., Pleasanton, CA

Soup Bowls and Cups

· Maruchan Ramen, Instant Lunch, and Yakisoba soups - Made in USA by Maruchan, Inc., Irvine, CA

· Annie Chun's soup bowls - Product of USA by Annie Chun, Inc., San Rafael, CA

· Eating Right soup cups - Product of USA by Lucerne Foods, Inc., Pleasanton, CA

· Dr. McDougall's soup cups - Product of USA by Dr. McDougall's Right Foods, San Francisco, CA

Soup Stocks

· Kitchen Basics Vegetable, Chicken, Seafood, and Beef cooking stock- Product of USA by Kitchen Basics, Brecksville, OH

Storage Bags and Wraps

· Glad Press'n Seal - Made in USA by The Glad Products Co., Oakland, CA

· up & up storage bags - Made in USA by Target Corp., Minneapolis, MN

· up & up aluminum foil - Made in USA by Target Corp., Minneapolis, MN

Syrup

          · locally-made syrups - Made in USA by farms in VT, NY and PA

· Archer Farms Pure Maple Syrup- Product of USA and Canada by Target Brands, Inc., Minneapolis, MN

· Wegman's Organic Maple Syrup- Product of USA and Canada by Wegman's Food Markets, Inc., Rochester, NY

Toaster Pastries

· Nature's Path Toaster Pastries -Product of USA by Nature's Path Foods, Inc., Blaine, WA

· Pantry Essentials Toaster Pastries - Product of USA by Lucerne Foods, Inc., Pleasanton, CA

Vinegar

      · Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar - Product of USA by Bragg Live Food Products, Inc.,   Santa Barbara, CA

Vitamins

          · vita fusion calcium gummy vites - Made in USA by northwest natural products,

            Vancouver, WA

      · up&up adults' gummy calcium dietary supplement with vitamin D; up&up calcium + vitamin D chews - Made in USA by Target Corp., Minneapolis, MN

      · Citracal with vitamin D plus magnesium tablets; Citrical calcium + D3      caplets; Citracal calcium gummies with D3 - Made in USA by Bayer, Morristown, NJ

Blog Sources:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/03/25/2081409/another-look-at-purpose-of-ex.html

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/oct2001/air-o18.shtml

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/22/1949383/senate-postpones-vote-on-export.html

http://www.thefreemanonline.org/featured/the-futility-of-the-government-airline-bailout/

http://www.sba.gov/content/export-import-bank-united-states

http://www.allgov.com/agency/Export__Import__Bank__of__the__United__States

Green Jobs

Minnie Bee's Rant:
 
     The innovation of green technology and the expansion of green jobs are both important to our economy and significant to the future of a healthy and sustainable environment. However, both of these benefits are cancelled out when we send green jobs overseas by outsourcing and/or by importing foreign-made products.
 
     Obviously, when we outsource jobs, we eliminate those jobs here. For example, we saw this happen in the closing of light bulb manufacturing plants in Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio when Congress passed legislation in 2007 to stop the production of the less energy-efficient incandescent light bulb and switch to the production of the greener CFL light bulb. Instead of converting existing U.S. plants to CFL production, corporations such as GE closed their U.S. manufacturing plants and sent these jobs to China where the bulbs could be made more cheaply. Although Republicans, as well as some American workers, have blamed the government for this, the real blame lies with the greed of GE and other similarly unpatriotic multinational corporations who put profit above the welfare of the country where they have made, and continue to make, billions of dollars.
 
     Similarly, when we import foreign-made products, we not only do away with existing and future U.S. jobs, but due to the unregulated, environmentally-unfriendly manufacturing processes employed by foreign countries such as China, we cancel out many of the benefits of using green technology. This has happened with the manufacturing of CFL bulbs in China; it also has happened when U.S. solar energy companies, including some of those who received Federal loans and grants from the Department of Energy, have used more cheaply-made solar panels manufactured in China.

      Congress needs to toughen up our trade policies with U.S. trading partners. It should level the playing field by passing the China Trade bill, which would levy a U.S. tariff on goods exported from China to the U.S. This trade policy also should be expanded in the future to include all U.S. trading partners who inequitably levy tariffs on goods exported from the U.S. Furthermore, any future loans or grants from the U.S. government to promote green technology should incorporate the retention and creation of jobs in the U.S. by mandating the use of "Made in USA" components. Many corporations and the politicians that receive big campaign contributions from them won't agree, but so what? If they don't, then let's stop buying their products whenever possible, and let's vote those politicians out of office.

     Green technology that originates in the United States and the green jobs that come from this technology should stay in the United States. If corporations that make billions from U.S. consumers and receive billions more from the government in the form of tax breaks and loopholes, subsidies, and loans and grants won't keep green jobs here, then the government needs to do it.

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We create and keep U.S. jobs when we demand, promote, and buy "Made in USA"
goods and products.
 

Happy Halloween!  Hopefully, you would like to give "Made in USA" candy to the trick-or-treaters at your door, but it's not that easy to do these days.   Most of our favorite "American" candy that is carried nationwide, such as Mars and Hershey's, are now made elsewhere.  Unless you happen to live in a location where our recommended candy is made, with the exception of Necco products, which can still be found nationally, and See's candy, which is carried by most Lord and Taylor stores, you will have to order online. Check labels before buying, and feel free to post your own research to this blog.  Remember, "distributed by" or "manufactured by" does not mean it was made here, regardless of the company address!

 
This week's recommended products:

·         Necco Wafers, Clark Bars, Mighty Malt Malted Milk Balls, Mary Janes, Canada Mints, Valentine Conversation Hearts and other candy products - Made in USA by New England Confectionery Co. (NECCO), Revere, MA

·         AmeriCandy - Made in USA by AmeriCandy Co., Inc., Louisville, KY

·         Bissinger's Candy - Made in USA by Bissinger's, St. Louis, MO

·         Hammond's Candies - Made in USA by Hammond's Candy Factory, Denver, CO

·         See's Candies - Made in USA by See's Candy Shops, Inc., Carson, CA

·         Stewart Candy - Made in USA by Stewart Candy Co., Waycross, GA

·         Sweet's Candy - Made in USA by Sweet Candy Co., Salt Lake City, UT

·         Wolfgang Candy - Made in USA by Wolfgang Candy Co., Inc., York, PA

 

 Blog Sources:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/07/AR2010090706933.html

http://www.ibew.org/articles/09daily/0908/090810_GEShutdown.htm   

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/28/1020990/-Reid-holding-vote-on-China-trade-bill-before-Obamas-jobs-plan

"Where Solyndra  said yes, others demurred," Steven Mufson & Carol Leonnig, The Washington Post, 9/27/11

New Trade Agreements - A Deal Or A Steal?

     With little fanfare, new trade agreements favored by the Obama administration were passed by both houses of Congress this week.  The agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama were dubbed by the media as "the most significant expansion of trade relations in nearly two decades" (The Washington Post, 10/13/11.)  These agreements, particularly the one with South Korea, have the potential to create 280,000 American jobs and boost U.S. exports by more than $12 billion.

     At the risk of sounding like a pessimist, or worse yet, a naysayer, the new trade agreements leave me feeling more skeptical than hopeful.  First of all, although the agreements had been stalled in Congress, both houses suddenly and quickly passed them.  Anything that's passed so easily by the present Congress, especially by the Republicans,  is, in my opinion, automatically suspect.  It usually means that the middle class is getting screwed, while the rich get richer. 
   
     Secondly, the stalled China trade aka "China currency" bill has not been passed, leaving me even more concerned.  This bill would significantly benefit  United States workers because it would levy a U.S. tariff on exported goods from China in order to stop China from manipulating its currency to gain a larger share of the export market.  In my opinion, this measure is long overdue, and would result in leveling the playing field for U.S. exports, thereby decreasing the U.S. trade deficit  with China and potentially creating more U.S. jobs.   

     To be sure, how the new trade agreements ultimately pan out will be decided by how well they are implemented, i.e., how well they are monitored and regulated.   According to the Obama administration, it has included "high standards for protecting labor rights and environmental concerns"  (The Washington Post, 10/13/11) in the agreements with Colombia and Panama.  But what of the agreement with South Korea, potentially the riskier of the agreements for workers in the U.S?  While exports are predicted to increase as a result of all of the new agreements , the amount of imports to the U.S., particularly from South Korea which has the 15th largest economy in the world, will likely increase, possibly cancelling out the positive benefits for American workers. 

      The track record for U.S. trade agreements has not been good news for American workers in recent years.  Take the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), for example.  This agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico created the largest area of free trade in the world, and involves approximately 450 million workers, producing about $17 trillion in goods and services.  However, according to the most recent data (2009), NAFTA has resulted in a total of $397 billion in exports from the United States, while imports to the U.S. total $438 billion - a net trade deficit of $41 billion for the United States.  Former President Clinton, who signed NAFTA, appearing on David Letterman last week, said that the success of a trade agreement depends largely on how well the agreement is regulated, and implied that NAFTA has not been regulated as intended.  

      A significant part of the present Republican plan for creating jobs is to do away with regulation.  Presumably, this would include the regulation of trade agreements, making it even easier for U.S. corporations to outsource U.S. jobs, and import products from foreign countries.    Let's hope that  the Republican plan is not the plan that Congress or  we, the people, support, and that for our sake, all trade agreements are well--regulated.

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We create and keep U.S. jobs when we demand, promote, and buy Made in USA
goods and products.

Keep warm in cooler weather with a good, hot, tasty cup or bowl of Made in USA soup.  The best soups, of course, are the ones homemade from scratch with locally-grown or grown-in- the-USA produce, raised-in-the-USA meat, poultry, or seafood, and other Made in USA ingredients. However, if you don't have the time to make your own, these ready-made soups, produced in the USA, are a good option.  If your favorite is not listed here, chances are it is made elsewhere (but being human, I could overlook something.)  Check labels before buying others, and feel free to post your own research to this blog.  Remember, "distributed by" or "manufactured by" does not mean it was made here, regardless of the company address!

This week's recommended products:

      ·         Nature's Promise "Naturals" soup - Product of USA by Foodhold USA, LLC,

            Landover, MD

·         Campbell's Chunky, Select Harvest, and Condensed soups (canned and microwaveable) - Cooked in USA by Campbell's Soup Co., Camden, NJ

·         Maruchan Ramen, Instant Lunch, and Yakisoba soups - Made in USA by Maruchan, Inc., Irvine, CA

·         Shore Lunch soup mix - Made in USA by Sportsman Recipes, Inc., Rome, GA

·         Kitchen Basics Vegetable, Chicken, Seafood, and Beef cooking stock - Product of USA by Kitchen Basics, Brecksville, OH

·         Streit's Matzo Ball and Soup mix, and Egg Drop soup mix - Product of USA by Aron Streit, Inc., New York, NY

·         Manischewitz Ball Soup, and Matzo Balls in Broth (canned in glass jars), and

      Matzo Ball and Soup mix - Product of USA by The Manischewitz Co., Secaucus, NJ

·         Annie Chun's soup bowls - Product of USA by Annie Chun, Inc., San Rafael, CA

·         Eating Right soup cups - Product of USA by Lucerne Foods, Inc., Pleasanton, CA

·         Dr. McDougall's soup cups - Product of USA by Dr. McDougall's Right Foods, San Francisco, CA

·         Safeway soup mix - Product of USA by Safeway, Inc., Pleasanton, CA

 Blog Sources:

"Congress approves 3 trade accords," Zachary Goldfarb & Lori Montgomery, The Washington Post, 10/13/11

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/28/1020990/-Reid-holding-vote-on-China-trade-bill-before-Obamas-jobs-plan

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/09/us-economy-global-weekahead-idUSTRE7981XI20111009

http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGkYPOJJrs&feature=related (link to Letterman interview of Clinton)