The North American Community

Glenn Beck talked about this on his show today and offered that the idea of a "North American Community" consisting of Canada, Mexico and the USA, may be one of the reasons our border problem isn't being taken seriously by politicians on either side of the isle. This isn't some ginned up conspiracy theory...it's right out there for all to read about here and here.

The following comments, by Dr. Robert Pastor, may give you an idea of what some portend for North America:

Defining a North American Community

North Americans are ready for a new relationship. Studies over the past 20 years have shown a convergence of values, on personal and family issues as well as on public policy. An October 2003 poll taken in all three countries by Ekos, a Canadian firm, found that a clear majority believes that a North American economic union will be established in the next ten years. The same survey found an overwhelming majority in favor of more integrated North American policies on the environment, transportation, and defense and a more modest majority in favor of common energy and banking policies. And 75 percent of people in the United States and Canada, and two-thirds of Mexicans, support the development of a North American security perimeter. The U.S., Mexican, and Canadian governments remain zealous defenders of an outdated conception of sovereignty even though their citizens are ready for a new approach. Each nation's leadership has stressed differences rather than common interests. North America needs leaders who can articulate and pursue a broader vision. (emphasis mine!)

I hope this Committee will pursue the North American agenda beyond the travel initiative considered here. On June 23rd, the three leaders promised to publish a report with specific recommendations on how to deepen North American integration. These should be reviewed together with Senator Richard Lugar's far-sighted bill for a "North American Cooperative Security Act" and Senator Cornyn's "North American Investment Fund." The time has come for us to define a true North American Community. Our security and prosperity depend on it.

The links to this information are somewhat lengthy, but deserve attention. We're certainly not hearing anything about this in the MSM or anywhere else for that matter. Granted, parsing these docs aren't nearly as fun as watching and listening to the dems implode, but unless we pay attention to the really important matters, we may one day wake up in another country with an altered constitution amenable to international law. Wait, that last part about the constitution has already happened, at least in part.

Robert A. Pastor is Vice President of International Affairs and Professor of International Relations at American University. He established and directs the Center for North American Studies, a public policy, research, and educational center at AU which offers an undergraduate minor and a graduate certificate in North American Studies. From 1985 until he came to AU in 2002, Dr. Pastor was professor of political science at Emory University and Fellow and founding Director of the Carter Center's Latin American and Caribbean Program and the Democracy Project. He was Director of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs on the National Security Council (1977-81) and a Fulbright Professor at El Colegio de Mexico. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University and is the author or editor of sixteen books, including Toward a North American Community: Lessons from the Old World for the New (IIE, 2001). He was Vice Chair of the Council on Foreign Relations Task Force on the Future of North America. See www.american.edu/ia/cnas