CAFTA is moving us even closer to ruin

The U.S. House of Representatives betrayed Americans last week when it approved the Central American Free Trade Agreement. The Augusta Chronicle's lead editorial Sunday ("Rhymes with 'DISASTA') provided a few excellent examples of the damage CAFTA brings us.

The editorial should have pointed out that four of South Carolina's six representatives approved CAFTA, including Rep. Gresham Barrett.

Joining Rep. Barrett in approving CAFTA were South Carolina Reps. Joe Wilson, Bob Inglis and Henry Brown; and six of Georgia's 13 representatives. What a disgrace for our states that so many of our representatives voted to destroy more of our nation's sovereignty!

The U.S. has lost 87 percent of its cases before tribunals established under NAFTA. Such a dismal record alone should convince any loyal American to vote against more of these agreements.

A campaign appears to be under way to deceive people that these trade agreements have more legal authority than they do. An AP article titled "Nations react to treaty's passage" ran in last Friday's Chronicle, and the host on a national talk show last week referred to CAFTA as a treaty.

These trade agreements are not treaties under the U.S. Constitution. Article II, Section 2 which contains provision for treaties, reads, "He (the President) shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur: ..." In other words, the House does not approve treaties, and it takes two-thirds of senators. CAFTA received 54 percent approval in the Senate.

We now must focus on defeating the Free Trade Area of the Americas, which would include every country, except Cuba, in North and South America. FTAA architects are from the same firm that planned the European Union. NAFTA and CAFTA are only stepping stones to FTAA, which would be NAFTA on steroids.

Elton T. Booth, North Augusta, S.C.