>Like most polls that are taken to get results that support the
>status quo, this one asks the wrong questions. Of course most people
>are going to say that they are for "growing trade and business ties
>between countries." That's like asking people if they are in favor
>of babies, apple pies and warm sunshine. This poll tells us nothing
>because it doesn't get into the meat of the issues involved in "fair
>trade." Where is the question about outsourcing? What about one that
>asks people if they are concerned about jobs leaving their community
>when companies pack up and leave? Where is the question about the
>local control that is lost when these agreements are signed without
>the consent of working people?
But to adopt your wording would be to skew the results in the direction you're looking for. Most people know about things that are associated with "free trade." The fundamental point is that internationalism is emotionally popular and autarky isn't. For a left which has been historically internationalist this is something to work with.
Doug