Tit for Tat Questions From Jon Powers
Powers called on McCain to answer the following questions while he’s in Buffalo today:
1. a) Earlier this month, you said “You gotta stand on principle. I believe in the principle of free trade.” What do you say to the thousands of working men and women of Western New York that do not believe in the principle of free trade after seeing their jobs shipped overseas or south of the border?
b) Better yet, what is your stand on free trade, JON POWERS ?
2. a) On Friday, you spoke to a roomful of General Motors workers in Michigan blatantly telling them, “Now there will be times when you and I disagree on issues and one of them probably is trade.” Did they agree with your stance on shipping jobs overseas and do you expect the thousands of employees and members of the manufacturing community in Western New York to agree with you?
b) Mr. Powers, good question. Will you answer it first for the working people so they can understand your stand on the above question?
3. a) In March, you called Free Trade “the best thing that could happen to America” and last week in San Diego, you called yourself “an unapologetic supporter of NAFTA“. Time after time you have put the interests of corporations above the needs of working men and women. How can the working men and women of Western New York believe that their jobs will be safe with you in the White House?
b) Mr. Powers, will you answer what person you believe will keep jobs safe in the White House, and why?
Joanne L. Capone Says:July 21st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Jon Powers has reversed his position on free trade.
Last summer he told me over lunch together that he was opposed to free trade which he understood had so harmed the work force in Western NY.
He stated he was in agreement with Jack Davis on this issue.
However, his financial backers outside of Western NY have made him flip-flop on this issue…so now he supports the free trade agreements.
Workers in Western NY should take a hard look at this flip flop. If they do…they will back Jack Davis for the 26th and his patriotic efforts to support American laborers and the excellent blue collar work force of Western NY.
Jack Davis has my vote for this election because Western NY cannot afford more of the same with respect to the Bill Clinton negotiated NAFTA laws.
Joanne L. Capone
Executive Director
Capone-DeSimone Institute for Peace and Social Justice
Buffalopundit Says:July 22nd, 2008 at 3:53 am
Joanne - if you truly examine what Powers and Davis have both said, they’re both for “fair trade” - not a complete abolition of free trade, but a leveling of the playing field. In other words, if China slaps tariffs on our goods, we’ll slap tariffs on theirs.
Davis is against unfettered free trade where our trading partners do not trade freely with us. Powers agrees.
I am truly amazed by the lack of understanding people have for politicians’ positions.
Joanne L. Capone Says:July 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
To the Buffalo Pundit:
It is clear that Jon Powers says what is convenient to whatever he gauges his audience wants to hear.
He has learned by campaigning over one year for a congressional seat as an entry level job for himself…the art of beginner politics…
certainly no Mr Smith goes to Washington model.
Peace,
Joanne L. Capone
Executive Director
Capone-DeSimone Institute for Peace and Social Justice
Buffalopundit Says:July 23rd, 2008 at 4:16 am
That is the most outrageously obnoxious thing I’ve read in a long time. Jon Powers is not only a credentialed teacher of history and social studies, but was deployed to Iraq as an Army Captain, and subsequently created and operated “War Kids Relief” to help Iraqi children orphaned and otherwise adversely affected by the war.
To call his run for Congress an “entry level job” is beyond insulting, and you should be ashamed of yourself for it.
Joanne L. Capone Says:July 23rd, 2008 at 5:24 am
Buffalo Pundit Alan Bendenko,
It is you who needs to get a grip…
As a matter of fact, my Institute honored Jon Powers in 2005 for his work with Iraqi street kids…you really should try to look at history.
However, Jon’s resume is very thin when it comes to running for a congressional seat…He has flip-flopped on three issues so far that I am aware of…he was pro life before he was against allowing babies in the womb to live if the mother wants to abort…he was for marriage as recognized by the Catholic as being between a man and a woman…before he came out to support gay marriage…and he was for changing NAFTA before he now wishes to support globalization despite the detriment to Western NY workers.
It is you who needs to be ashamed of himself.
Joanne L. Capone
Executive Director
Capone-DeSimone Institute for Peace and Social Justice
Buffalopundit Says:July 23rd, 2008 at 8:29 am
Yes, Joe Illuzzi has well detailed your issues with Powers over abortion and gay marriage. Hate to tell you this, but abortion will never be illegal in the State of New York, and gay marriage will become legal probably sometime in the next 3 - 5 years. So, Powers’ position on these issues are somewhat beside the point.
As for “flip flopping” on NAFTA, I’d appreciate it if you could cite where he did so.