In 1993 - with Congressman Jim Walsh (R-NY), an RPCV, at a D.C. news conference - I opposed NAFTA, based on what I learned about trade and pricing policy while in Peace Corps in Colombia (1971-74) and soon afterward in ag economics grad study at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (I went back south to study Peru's agrarian reform co-ops on a study grant in 1977.) I didn't so actively oppose CAFTA, partly because I thought there was no way it would pass, given how clear are the failings of NAFTA. Louisiana sugarman (and RPCV) Jackie Theriot's term "level playing field" is standard fare in free trade rhetoric of Bush/Cheney and their multi-national sponsors. I hope RPCVs join Farm Journal's agweb.com "discussions". I post there as "Don of MO", and often refer to my PC experience, pushing for return to a New Deal "farm parity" pricing policy. It was sadly abandoned in the early 1950's in order to be more "globally competitive" and gain exports. I hope RPCVs help promote an economy LESS DEPENDENT on markets and resources abroad. We have deserved credibility in this, even though we don't reach the same conclusions. But I urge all to speak out, whatever your view, and we'll push a long overdue debate. That's the way to real democracy and peace. Anyone may please contact me at: dondeichman@hotmail.com. ---- P.S. (I hope to run on these points for U.S. Congress in Missouri in 2006 as I did on 2002... only this time win!)