Richard Randall on Foreign Policy
Let people decide if human rights matter on China trade
Q: Your views on linking human rights to trade with China?A: Managed trade is typified by President Bush's enormous steel tariff, and, more recently, with the obscenely high 198% tariff on Chinese furniture. Such policies hurt foreign workers and
American consumers. They may help domestic industries in the short run, but they encourage irresponsible and inefficient business practices at home. The world economy and American prosperity suffer. Republicans and Democrats say such practices are
necessary to prevent "outsourcing," but the reason business leaves the country is that government regulations make it prohibitively expensive for all but the richest companies to compete in America.
I believe that American consumers, rather than government bureaucrats, should decide whether to purchase goods from countries that consistently violate human rights.
Source: E-mail exchange with OnTheIssues.org
Oct 17, 2004
No world government; no UN troops or control
Participation in any form of world or international government threatens the sovereignty of the US, its citizens and its Constitution. I oppose US government participation in any world or international government. Further, I support withdrawal of the
US government from, and an end to its financial support for, the United Nations. I oppose any US policy designating the UN as policeman of the world, committing US troops to wars at the discretion of the UN, or placing US troops under UN command.
Source: Campaign website, www.lpcocandidates.org/randall/, "Issues"
Oct 14, 2004