Free Trade: Colombia & Cuba

"Complete free trade is not politically feasible. Why? Because it's only in the general interest and in no one's special interest." -Milton Freidman

A quote from Sen. Obama I completely agree with:

"I think it's time for us to end the embargo with Cuba... It's time for us to acknowledge that that particular policy has failed." -Sen Obama

Keeping up an embargo wont help Cuba become democratic. I understand the initial reasonings, but what are you going to do. I'm skeptical on whether embargo or even sanctions are worth it. So, I'm glad we've got a candidate who seems to appreciate the importance of free trade.

And then...it goes out the window:

"I will oppose the Colombia Free Trade Agreement if President Bush insists on sending it to Congress because the violence against unions in Colombia would make a mockery of the very labor protections that we have insisted be included in these kinds of agreements." -Sen. Obama

Ouch. So I guess Milton Friedman was right. Oh, and about that violent in Colombia? Thanks to the Washington Post for pointing out the facts on the matter:

Colombia is, indeed, violent -- though homicide has dramatically declined under Mr. Uribe. There were 17,198 murders in 2007. Of the dead, only 39 -- or 0.226 percent -- were even members of trade unions, let alone leaders or activists, according to the Colombian labor movement. (Union members make up just under 2 percent of the Colombian population.)

Catering to the special interests?