Should the Federal Government Bailout U.S. Auto Makers?

In the early 1990’s, Al Gore participated in a debate with H. Ross Perot over NAFTA. Perot coined the phrase ”The Giant Sucking Sound”, referring to good paying American jobs leaving the U.S. for Mexico and Canada.

Al Gore argued that NAFTA would be good for the U.S. economy by creating good paying jobs in Mexico. Gore stated that NAFTA would create a new Mexican middle-class that will then buy more U.S. made goods, a win-win for both countries.

The big winners from NAFTA ended up being Wall Street investors and major U.S. Corporations like GM, Ford and Chrysler who were then able to exploit cheap Mexican laborers. Our working-class friends in Mexico were never offered jobs that elevated them out of poverty. Looking back, Al Gore’s projections weren’t worth the paper they were written on.

At the beginning of part 2 (see YouTube video below), Al Gore states, “We know this  (NAFTA) works, If it doesn’t work, you know, will give six months notice and we’ll get out of it”. Seventeen years later, NAFTA hasn’t worked and were still in it. Supporters of give-away trade agreements and our MSM will call anyone who opposes NAFTA a protectionist. Perhaps ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox should consider moving their operations to Mexico? Would anyone miss them? 

NAFTA — 1993 Gore vs. Perot Debate, Part 1
NAFTA — 1993 Gore vs. Perot Debate, Part 2

Through NAFTA, the U.S. Auto Makers got what they wanted, cheap labor and bigger profits. The quality of their cars remains sub par compared to U.S. made Honda’s and Toyota’s. I believe if GM, Ford and Chrysler want government assistance they should hire Al Gore, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to lobby the Mexican government, not ours.

Your comments are always welcome. So, jump right in, the waters warm.

Written by: Steven Thompson, Founder, Freedom From The Press