Local Restrictions Fuel CAFTA Revolt

Another day, another blow to the Bush administration's efforts to ram the corporate-written Central American Free Trade Agreement down Congress's throat. This time, it's all about state and local rights - something the White House has paid a lot of lip service to, but is now trying to usurp through CAFTA.

First, New Hampshire became the latest state to pull its support for CAFTA. Specifically, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) was miffed over the pact's restrictive rules that prevent state/local governments from preferential purchasing from domestic/environmentally-friendly producers.

Second, the far-right Eagle Forum is urging Republican lawmakers to reject the deal, potentially peeling off critical GOP votes from President Bush. As the group's alert notes, "Under CAFTA, state legislatures would relinquish their right to regulate utilities, land use, and taxpayer-funded contracts." Additionally, "CAFTA would also prohibit any preference states could give to contractors in their state."

What ever happened to the "states rights'" Republicans? Apparently, when those rights get in Corporate America's way, they cease to be GOP priorities.