During his most recent conversation with host Ed Ferenc of America’s Work Force Radio, IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger talked about a wide range of topics including the GOP, the Export-Import Bank, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Hillary Clinton.
Regarding the Republican band of candidates for president, Buffenbarger simply stated, “It’s the movable circus because they take their show all over the country. And it’s not getting any better for them.”
The right wing attacks and de-funding of the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank prompted Buffenbarger to emphasize how the bank actually contributes an estimated 1 billion dollars each year to the U.S. Treasury by funding outside investments to buy American products.
He went on to talk about the most recent announcement by General Electric that it will be shuttering its engine plant in Waukesha, WI due to the bank’s closure, which was championed by new House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI). This is a plant where the IAM represents 350 workers who have lost their jobs.
“Paul Ryan, in his own district, voted to kill the Ex-Im Bank and as a result he lost that plant and he lost those jobs,” said Buffenbarger. “The right-wing Republicans killed the bank that helps American workers.”
On the subject of the TPP, Buffenbarger reinforced the fact that even Republicans will realize how bad the deal is once they read it.
“I think they are afraid that the American people might actually see it and read it and then there will be a firestorm unleashed,” said Buffenbarger. “Anybody who thinks this trade bill is good, you need to read it.”
“Congress would be abdicating the sovereignty of America in the world of trade,” he said. “This is a deal written by banks, written by the largest multinational corporations. It’s not written for small businesses, it’s not written for manufacturers, it’s certainly not written for American workers.
To listen to the entire show, click here.
