So Long, State Sovereignty
Corporate interests trump the public interest:
A Canadian company wants to open a new plant in Claremont, N.H., to
bottle fresh water from a source in Stockbridge, Vt.
But if Vermont wants to limit how much water the company takes, it
may run afoul of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
States around the country are growing increasingly worried about
the threats posed to their laws and regulations by the secret
tribunals that resolve disputes in international trade. Experts say
everything from environmental rules to the licensing of nurses and
other professionals could be affected.
"Free trade agreements are to state sovereignty and economic
development what global climate change is to the environment and
natural resources," said state Sen. Virginia Lyons, D-Chittenden.
"I think it's a really significant issue for our state, and for
every state in the country."
Vermont is one of seven states to establish committees to study the
possible impacts of international trade on their laws.
Assistant Vermont Attorney General Elliot Burg said NAFTA and other
trade agreements have opened up a path for international companies
that want to circumvent state laws they don't like.
"The issue is not really fair treatment or equal treatment" of
domestic versus foreign companies, Burg said. "It's really, `We
don't like the laws you're passing.'"
posted by rorschach @ 9:07 AM
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Arrogance
The United States truly has gone mad with perceived power:
AMERICA has told Britain that it can "kidnap" British citizens if
they are wanted for crimes in the United States.
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