David Obey: “I really do not want to withdraw from the WTO. We need to be there, but I am voting yes out of frustration. There are…”

“I really do not want to withdraw from the WTO. We need to be there, but I am voting yes out of frustration. There are two problems. At home, the issue is simply whether those in this society, the investing class, the managing elite, the venture capitalists, the multinational corporations who have so much to gain by further globalization will be willing to see a tiny fraction of that increased wealth used to help those who would otherwise be caught in the prop wash of their incredible prosperity. So far, I see very little evidence of that. Internationally, the question is simply, who is going to have a seat at the table? Now, only the voices of the economic elites are heard at WTO. The interests of workers, farmers, and the environment are not adequately taken into account. In fact, the incentives present in the WTO structure on questions of worker rights and environmental protection are in the wrong direction. An economic system without moral foundation is not an economic system at all, it is a jungle. I cast this vote not because I want to withdraw, I do not. I am a committed internationalist. For 10 years I chaired the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations. But I am casting this vote to send a signal to WTO and our representatives to it that they have to give more than lip service to the needs of workers, farmers, and the environment. When you do, give me a call. I will be happy to change my vote. Until then, sorry, wrong number!”