John McCain Says American Workers Shouldn’t Be Protected If We Can Get Cheap Goods

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In an June 12th interview with Chris Merrill on the Phoenix based KFYI talk radio station, Arizona Senator John McCain (R) defended his support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), by arguing that cheap goods and services are more important than protecting American workers or businesses. During the interview, McCain took a hard line free trade over fair trade stance. He defended past trade deals like NAFTA saying only “hardcore union spokespersons” are still against that deal.

However, Senator McCain’s most telling remarks came when he was asked about his current position regarding the TPP trade deal. Senator McCain didn’t argue that the trade deal would be good for American workers or businesses. Instead he said free trade brings cheap goods into America, and that is more than enough reason to throw American workers under the bus. McCain told Merrill:

There [are] some people who and businesses that can’t be protected, but frankly they shouldn’t be protected really, when you get down to it, if it means a lower cost to the consumer of some goods and services that then more Americans can afford them.

In a single sentence, McCain revealed his indifference towards the plight of American workers and U.S based small businesses that would be adversely affected by a trade agreement which favors the interests of large multinational corporations.

In McCain’s mind, bringing in cheap imports is more important than protecting American jobs. Senator McCain has never had a strong voting record on defending American workers. However, his rhetoric stating that people don’t deserve protection from detrimental trade deals, further confirms what little regard Senator McCain has for American workers.

McCain, who is one of the wealthiest members of the Senate, with a net worth exceeding 15 million dollars, has lost touch with the struggles of every day working Americans. His dismissive attitude towards American workers makes him a poor choice to serve the people of Arizona in the U.S. Senate. Voters who care about protecting American workers and preserving America’s small businesses should vote to replace Senator McCain when he comes up for re-election in 2016.

Keith Brekhus

Keith Brekhus is a progressive American who currently resides in Red Lodge, Montana. He is co-host for the Liberal Fix radio show. He holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Missouri. In 2002, he ran for Congress as a Green Party candidate in the state of Missouri. In 2014, he worked as a field organizer for Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick’s successful re-election bid in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. He can be followed on Twitter @keithbrekhus or on Facebook.