Repeal free trade agreements

The jobless situation that has been the spotlight in the news led me to voicing my concerns to Senator Mitch McConnell.

I'm deeply concerned about the jobless situation. As a small business owner, I share the suffering of the effects of jobs going overseas. You voted for CAFTA and NAFTA. I share the belief with most other people that these free trade agreements are the central reason why jobs are extremely scarce.

Prior to the passage of the free trade agreements we had an abundance of jobs from companies like Fruit of the Loom. Businesses prospered and people had money to spend prior to the passage of the free trade agreements. When Fruit of the Loom closed its doors in Campbellsville, the domino effect led to higher poverty and higher losses of homes and businesses due to foreclosures.

It's not rocket science to know that the only way jobs will be created in this country is to repeal the free trade agreements and withdraw from the World Trade Organization.

I'm aware of many families going without food, schools cutting budgets at the cost of quality education, and local governments losing income from recording fees and property taxes.

Part of the oath you took prior to the passage of the free trade agreements was: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

Is there a reason you haven't defended the Constitution of the United States against foreign enemies? Where has your true faith and allegiance been?

Who persuaded you to vote for NAFTA and CAFTA if there was no provision in the Constitution giving Congress the authority to pass the power to regulate, control, or govern U.S. commerce to a foreign agency like the WTO? Your actions have clearly showed your allegiance is to the WTO, and not to the jobless and economically distressed people in Kentucky.

I'm deeply concerned about the welfare and prosperity of families, including mine, across my community. I strongly urge you to redeem yourself and repeal these free trade agreements and persuade your colleagues to move toward withdrawing from the WTO. I also urge you to enter legislation that would place a steep tariff on goods coming into this country.

I will be following your actions regarding this matter.

Mark Blakeman

Campbellsville