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Schock: Free Trade could create jobs

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By Ashley McNamee

Story Published: Dec 4, 2009 at 7:16 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 4, 2009 at 9:17 PM CDT

Congressman Aaron Schock thinks free trade agreements could be the key to fixing the economy.

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In the Chicago Tribune Friday, Schock wrote an opinion column explaining why passing free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea could create free jobs for Americans.

"Right now the president could bring forward those three free trade agreements that won't cost any money, won't add to the nation's deficit and will help companies like Caterpillar and farmers in our community sell their grains and goods around the world," he said, during an event at Bradley University Friday.

"There are ways I think we can create free jobs without paying for it and without going into debt to make it happen."

The President began his job summit on Thursday.

Schock says the President's $1 trillion stimulus packages to fix the economy aren't working, it is time to try something new.

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View Oldest Comments First

Sunday, Dec 6 at 4:43 PM 150 comment is wrote ...

What has Schock accomplished other than winning a election ? What good has he done for the everyday person ? Schock has really done nothing to earn the Congressmen job he holds Just like obamay No real work done ..

Sunday, Dec 6 at 3:58 AM na wrote ...

what is with the dist. 150 comment?

Saturday, Dec 5 at 1:49 PM C.B.E.P. wrote ...

Free trade just moved more jobs to Mexico. Just try to buy a Carhartt product made in the U.S. They have closed down their last U.S. factory and moved it to Mexico. For that matter look for any American made products yes you can find them but is getting increasingly more difficult. Every thing is made with global economy wages That is the problem that these political dunderheads refuse to admit. The reason the United States has always be a leader is its Middle Class and free trade is killing it

Saturday, Dec 5 at 1:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...

@ 1 1 - Great idea. I was thinking the same thing. And it's refreshing to see intelligent NON RIGHT LOVING people on here calling Schock out on sending jobs away from the US with free trade. Keep it up folks.

Saturday, Dec 5 at 12:55 PM hey schock wrote ...

while your lips are kinda puckered like they are I'd like to give you a fist or two. seriously the he|| with this country. I'm employed but only by luck and never ever lost my job in the last 7 yrs. However wages are going nowhere and jobs have already been disappearing in a big way. Manuf. jobsm customer service jobs, etc. They have been going to China and India and more. Buy a Dell computer, then talk to someone in INDIA when you have a problem. That is WRONG!

Saturday, Dec 5 at 11:31 AM American Patriot wrote ...

Here we go again. It sounds like Caterpillar has got next to this guy. The only thing that the free trade agreements do for this country is cause us to loose jobs. Our manufacturing base is gone to China,and other countries because of these agreements. Maybe the "green jobs" will help, or we can all live off of the government handouts

Saturday, Dec 5 at 11:06 AM 1 1 wrote ...

The stimulus hasn't woked as well as it shoud because the money is going to the wrong persons. What it to work, give taxpaying Americans $50,000 each and require them to spend $25,000 to pay down debt and the ote $25,000 to purchase goods. This would help in stopping forclosures and would put people back to work to make goods that are eing purchased.

Saturday, Dec 5 at 10:35 AM deh wrote ...

agin with the free trade line? How much lower can the standards of the American citizen be pushed to accomodate these rightwing policies of mass destruction? the past? been there done that!

Saturday, Dec 5 at 9:38 AM ok.. wrote ...

politics have been talking about this for a while. we all know free trade is a good thing. we need to support schock.

Saturday, Dec 5 at 12:46 AM WTF? wrote ...

I can't believe that people actually voted for this guy. Free trade creating jobs? In other countries, but not here.

Saturday, Dec 5 at 12:32 AM Henry Roe wrote ...

When countries free trade, all become richer. Economics 101

Friday, Dec 4 at 9:52 PM Roberta wrote ...

Would this "mess" that District 150 left possibly be its department of English/writing/spelling?

Friday, Dec 4 at 9:42 PM schock you need to grow older n wiser!!! wrote ...

your are still a little young puppy. Like other person has commented, FREE TRADE has sent jobs to mexico and china. Meanwhile the average joe in the US struggles and those border hopping mexicans are here selling drugs, working illegally, running their restaraunts and making a decent living. I hate this gov't and all their stupidity!!! Put the military on the borders and keep people out. SIMPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, Dec 4 at 8:38 PM DW wrote ...

WOW, I am sure that is all Shock's fault and nothing to do with anyone else! At least he has an idea that doesn't involve borrowing more money (kind of like folks who over use credit cards) to give the money to others. Yeah a job but only temporary until the money runs out.

Friday, Dec 4 at 8:35 PM DW wrote ...

So, what is anyone else's ideas? Take more money from taxpayers and give it to those who don't already contribute? I don't like losing jobs but at least it is a new idea that doesn't include using my tax dollars! Maybe a better idea would be to not collect payroll taxes for the first quarter of 2010. Then employers might be able to bring some folks back to work and hope things pick up next year.

Friday, Dec 4 at 8:28 PM randy wrote ...

free trade has sent jobs out of the country, where have you been? millions jobs to china and mexico, free trade makes the rich richer. housing bust,economy tanking due to free trade, no jobs, people can`t buy homes,cars,appliances,furniture.Can`t do this on minimun wage.

Friday, Dec 4 at 8:07 PM What has he done ? wrote ...

Hey Schock who gave you that idea ? Your to dumb to have thought of it on your own ......Finish something before starting another project District 150 left a mess.... Springfield our states debt and hundred of other things you could have try to have made better but know .....leaving unfinished business is what you do the best ...But don't worry ABATE will still vote for you .....

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