Political Quotes

“House leadership promised to bring the Central American Free Trade Agreement to the floor this week for a vote. They have said, Congress will stay here over the weekend until it is done. The President has said that defeat on CAFTA ``is not an option.'' ``The cookie jar is open.'' One senior CAFTA supporter, a Member of the House, went so far as to say that CAFTA will pass Congress because they will ``twist arms until they break into a thousand pieces.'' CAFTA supporters have resorted to toothless ideals and strong-arm tactics because they know this agreement simply cannot pass on its merits. CAFTA has languished in Congress for more than a year. Four other trade agreements in the last couple of years passed Congress within 60 days. This CAFTA, this trade agreement has languished in Congress for almost 14 months. The reason is this trade agreement, this CAFTA, it was crafted by and negotiated by a select few, mostly the oil industry, the insurance industry, and the pharmaceutical industry, was crafted by a select few for a selected few, and that is why this agreement offends so many.…”