Thursday, 8 September 2011

Obama shows Colombia some leg

Was tonight the night Obama answered Colombia's call?

As predicted on this website on Tuesday, President Obama placed the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement at the heart of his jobs plan, delivered this evening to Congress. Obama demanded that Congress approve the measures therein - immediately.

Obama has shown Colombia some serious leg. Congress must now, finally, consummate the marriage.


How was the plan received?

Unsurprisingly given where we are in the electoral cycle, critics began to circle almost as soon as Obama stepped down from the podium. As I write, they are taking to the airwaves to tear his plan apart.

What's the problem? Well, simply put, Republicans view the plan as yet further proof that Obama is a spend spend spend President. Obama's jobs package is estimated to cost the US 450 million dollars to implement. Where will this money come from? Well, Republicans like this answer even less as the plan is to be financed in part through tax rises on the wealthy.

The good news for Colombia is that just about the only thing the Republicans and the President do agree on is the need to push through the FTAs. Colombia must hope that the FTA now be sworn in as an early win (for both sides).




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