The “Three Amigos” are attempting an old-fashioned switcheroo, much like the 1930’s grifters portrayed by Newman and Redford in “The Sting.”
Frustrated that alert and clear-thinking Americans and Canadians see the nefarious purposes behind the “Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP),” President Bush has apparently concluded “that dog won’t hunt” - at least not under the moniker of “SPP.” In a surprisingly simple-minded approach, the President has apparently decided changing a skunk’s name changes the fact that it still stinks. Shame on President Bush! If he weren’t up to his neck in treachery, he would not need to hide his activities from the nation.
Last year’s secret SPP summit meeting in Montebello focused on finding ways to get the people to swallow the idea of the collaboration leading to the North American Union, and to quiet its critics. Presumably, these were the topics of discussion when members of the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC) met with the leaders behind closed doors. The NACC is a largely secretive advisory council to the SPP consisting of representatives of such companies as Wal Mart, Chevron Oil, and Lockheed-Martin.
An internal memo from Canada’s Foreign Affairs and Internal Trade ministry documents that the NACC was urged to launch a public relations campaign to counter growing criticism of the trilateral cooperative that is a cornerstone of the building North American Union. According to the memo, “Leaders discussed some of the difficulties of the SPP, including the lack of popular support and the failure of the public to understand the competitive challenges confronting North America.” The memo emphasized the “NACC members should (play) a role in communicating the merits of North American collaboration.” Am I the only one who remembers the definition of “collaboration,” at least as it applies to nations and their citizens?
Further, in point of fact, these “competitive challenges” do not face North America…they face global corporations doing business in North America. The SPP has nothing to do with ensuring the security and prosperity of the United State’s citizens, or U.S. corporations would first and foremost conduct business as Americans. The “Partnership” is between government and business; it values the nation’s citizens only as human resources.
Many corporate CEOS now seem to favor former CEO of GE Jack Welsh’s advice (as far as they practically can) that, “the ideal factory would be built on a barge” so it could be hauled around the world to low-wage areas, where it could operate without labor rules, environmental protections or other standards.
Following the advice in March of the Frazier Institute, a Canadian think tank, the “SPP” will forthwith and hereafter (until another name is required) be known as the “North American Standards and Regulatory Area.” I say, “until another name is required” in full faith that as growing numbers of Americans learn of this treachery at the highest levels of our government, they will resoundingly oppose it.
Of greater significance than the name change is the Institute’s call to expand and speed up the process of integration. One Canadian reporter said of last year’s SPP Summit that the SPP was “dead” and “defunct.” Another recently stated the SPP has “collapsed under a heap of conspiratorial rubbish.” This is pure garbage.
The “conspiratorial” label is pretty amusing, though, considering the Frazier Institute report suggested the name “North American Union,” or NAU, be dropped in favor of the new name. Unfortunately, the SPP is far from dead. But the growing public attention, and profound disapproval, obviously worries those sneaking around to secret meetings in dimly lit corners with secret files.
Results of a brand new American Policy Center survey on the SPP clearly show when Americans understand the truth, they say “No!” in phenomenal numbers. People are overwhelmingly opposed to the “harmonization” and “integration,” both economically and politically, of Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
Even the name of the “Fourth SPP Annual Summit” was changed to the “North American Leaders’ Summit.” There’s an oxymoron for you; “Leaders” indeed!
Enough, already! President Bush, it’s time to tell the American people:
What’s on the table; what’s the “big picture?”
What have the 20 SPP Working Groups been working on these past three years, specifically?
What promises have been made to the leaders of Canada and Mexico; to members of the NACC?
Will the 51 NACC proposals made to SPP negotiators last year, these “regulatory changes that don’t require legislative approval,” favor narrow corporate interests over American’s welfare, freedom, and liberty?
What regulatory changes have already been made?
Why, President Bush, are you involved in secret meetings and negotiations involving the very sovereignty of the United States without the advice and consent of Congress, the American people, or even under scrutiny of the Fourth Estate, even as largely worthless as it is?