05/09/05 Railroaded bill; EU trade impacts on US

Now that a group of bi-partisan U.S. Senators have introduced the Railroad Competition Act in that Chamber, it is the House's turn to follow suit. Such a companion bill could be introduced in the House within the week. Under the measure sponsored by Montana Senator Conrad Burns, the National Surface Transportation Board would simplify the price appeal process for customers who have only one choice in railroads. This is in response by states in what is called "captive markets", or states charged higher rates by railroads because of lack of competition. The measure also includes a provision to increase funding in a program providing loan and loan guarantees for rail infrastructure improvements. It is not helping our nation's exports any. That is the findings of a recent U.S.D.A. Foreign Ag Service study that shows European Union trade agreements are having a substantial impact on the competitiveness of U.S. exports. Currently, the U.S. and eight other World Trade Organization members do not have tariff preferences for so called Most Favored Nation status. And because of that lack of designation, the E.U. would rather deal on a bi-lateral basis with several third world nations and some developing countries such as Mexico, Chile, and South Africa. Currently, the U.S. competes with E.U. goods that have tariff preferences. And the report states that as E.U. trade with these nations continues to grow, so will the negative impacts on American imports. Now with today's "Food Forethought", here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: Today, I challenge you to stop for a moment and reflect on the power we share as consumers, and then determine how it can be exercised it a positive way. The power of our pocketbooks has devastated product lines and wiped out corporate Americas bottom line. For example when consumers boycotted Abercrombie and Fitch after numerous objections to their racy catalog and clothing targeting teens went unnoticed, their stock nosedived. Consumers can also be malicious. The beleaguered Wendy's franchise has battled an unwarranted image problem caused by unscrupulous woman who claimed to have found a finger in her beef chili last month. The false accusation has cost the chain of over 6.000 restaurants an average loss of two to two and a half percent It is disturbing to note that the actions of one person can affect the livelihood of thousands but on the flip side oh the good we could all do if we used the power of our pocketbook to evoke positive changes & definitely "Food Forethought". I'm Susan Allen