Free America
DR-CAFTA – Maintaining Good Trade Relations Between the US and Central America
September 13, 2011 | 
Author
When we think of relations between the United States and countries in Central America, the association may spark memory of past US involvement in political unrest (particularly in Nicaragua and El Salvador). In recent years, however, six nations that comprise Central America have come to rely upon the US and each other for economic gain. The Central America Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, has proven advantageous for these countries – where many inhabitants live below the poverty level – to make trade inroads with North America.
The Benefits of DR-CAFTA
Following the ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during the Clinton Administration, successor George W. Bush sought to expand American trade relations further along the Western Hemisphere. In 2003, the Bush Administration negotiated with four current members to form the agreement, and by the next year DR-CAFTA had been finalized to allowed free trade within the participating nations:
Costa Rica – A largely agricultural nation, Costa Rica imports bananas, coffee, sugar and cocoa. The Dominican Republic – Clothing production represents the largest percent of this country’s export income. El Salvador – Coffee accounts for nearly a quarter of El Salvador’s export revenues, though they also send paper products and sugar to the US. Guatemala – Like Costa Rica, Guatemala exports coffee and bananas, but in recent years has expanded offerings to textiles and cut flowers. Honduras – Coffee, fruits and nuts are among the foodstuffs shipped to the United States and fellow CAFTA nations Nicaragua – The largest of the Central American nations land-wise, Nicaraguan key exports include coffee and shellfish.
Through this trade agreement, DR-CAFTA nations enjoy tariff-free trade on the majority of US imports and exports nearly a third of their product and services into the United States. The state of Florida, in particular, is important to DR-CAFTA in that the majority of trade and communication passes through this area. With a large Spanish-speaking population and airports that offer direct flights to Central America, Florida assists the DR-CAFTA in expediting trade. Close to $20 billion in goods from DR-CAFTA countries ship to the United States, improving overall prosperity.
The Challenges
Despite the economic boost to the poorer nations of Central America, and the potential for American companies to establish international branches and plants without penalization, DR-CAFTA has not operated without its share of detractors. Concern over restrictions with regards to drug testing and quality control of certain products have challenged Central American pharmaceutical companies to produce affordable medicines, while other critics in the economics field like Joseph Stiglitz have suggested the agreement will not necessarily lessen poverty since American imports may threaten the local businesses.
However one views DR-CAFTA, this agreement may be considered critical to maintaining good relations throughout the Americas – not just in these six Central American countries, but beyond. Their accompanying Environmental Cooperation Program serves to aid Central America in strengthening their conservation efforts, while US involvement in enforcement of International Labor standards seeks to improve working conditions in the country. DR-CAFTA is an important stepping stone towards a more ambitious Free Trade Area of the Americas – encompassing Chile, Colombia, and others – which could create profitable trade between the north and south continents for future generations.
Debt Free Financial Hardship Program Flourishes Across America
The Financial Hardship Program was created to assist the general public in becoming debt free, as credit tightened in 2008. Despite the fact that the program has successfully provided debt relief to thousands, many Americans are still unaware of this debt free solution that also repairs credit. This article will educate on the most common debt relief solutions, offer insight from a Debt Relief Advocate, educate how the program works, provide testimonials of individuals who have benefited from the program, and inform where to apply to the program.
Bad credit will affect many aspects of your life. Some people spend a lifetime building and repairing this credit. Fortunately, there are many ways to successfully tackle this debt. Keep in mind though, decisions about your finances should always be well thought out. The last thing you want to do is make the wrong decision in relieving debt, which can make your current situation even worse.
Seven proven tried and true methods to tackle unsecured debt include do-it-yourself, credit card balance transfer, home equity loans, debt counseling, debt consolidation, bankruptcy, and debt settlement. Although each option has its advantages, most consumers are finding the Debt Settlement solution the most effective one in today’s current declining economy, due to the very little known Financial Hardship Program associated with it.
Even though the Hardship Program has been featured on MSNBC, Oprah, Fox, Market Watch, CBS, and USA Today, many are still unaware of its existence. “Thanks to the media, more Financial Hardship Program applications are being requested, with many being approved now more than ever,” according to Zee Wilson, Lifeguard Financial Group Debt Relief Advocate. “The program works well because you become debt free within 12 – 36 months and have the cash available that you were wasting on that debt, fighting to make just the interest payments each month, let alone anything on the principle.”
Your debts go into a bulk system of other debts currently being resolved, with funds being paid to your creditors directly from your own personal escrow account. You’re then automatically enrolled in the free credit repair program, eliminating negative information from your credit report and helping you to become more credit worthy.
Your creditors receive hardship letters from the company’s attorneys explaining your situation. They also receive a cease and desist letter stating not to contact you regarding this debt. If they do contact you, the free DAAN Adapter provided forwards your creditor’s calls to an attorney, who can sue on your behalf for harassment. Additionally, they call your creditors to verify payment, and even send a follow up letter stating your debt has been paid in full as agreed upon.
According to Christine Cruz-Vega of New York, NY, “As a single mother of 3 teens, it was a challenge keeping up with the constant flow of bills piling up. I thank this service for lessening that burden and taking the stress off me and my family. Thank goodness I qualified for the Financial Hardship Program, as it was truly a blessing in getting us back on track. Thank you so very much for such wonderful results.”
With a minimum of only $10,000 worth of unsecured debt, these debts are settled for 55 cents on the dollar. Based on $30,000 debt for example, one would pay back no more than $16,500. The bottom line is: the program gets rid of half your debt, you pay back the other half at 0% interest, and the free Credit Repair program improves your FICO score.
According to Inlectronics.com Promotional Director Timothy Gardner, “I wish I had applied a year ago. I made arrangements to pay back my creditors but the amount going out each month was killing me, and I was barely making a dent in my outstanding balance. Thank goodness I qualified for the Hardship Program. The arrangements made to resolve my debt was terrific, and due to the Free Credit Repair program, my credit has already improved in the short time I’ve been with the program.”
Posted in Free America | 
Tags: Financial Hardship, Free Solution, Settlement Solution | 
No Comments »
Debt Free America to the Rescue!
The turmoil affecting some of the largest financial institutions in the US has been well documented by the mass media over the last eighteen months, as have their inefficiencies in advising their customers and managing their customers’ money.
These same inefficiencies have been highlighted as the catalyst for the current economic global meltdown, but as always, the people who suffer the most are the masses who have no say in the decisions that are made in the boardrooms of these money-men, yet without whose money those same money-men would not be able to drive around in their top of the range Mercedes.
So, no wonder there was public condemnation of the governments’ proposed bail out for these institutions last year, but unfortunately the situation we are all currently facing would have been a lot worse if the bill had not gone through so it was lesser of two evils.
In the meantime, or the real world as most of us call it, people were losing their homes, their savings and their futures, but people should not lose sight of history. Sure, things are bad and it seems like tomorrow is light years away but because of history, we can see that economic meltdowns happen, and thankfully . . .so does recovery.
It is about recovery and being able to stay afloat even though you have lead weights around your ankles, survival is the key and that is what Debt Free America offers.
It never fails to amaze me just how many shysters are in the world; the numerous so called consolidation companies that popped up out of nowhere last year when the crap hit the fan, confirms it. When people are desperate they are easy prey for the companies that are after a quick buck, so beware and always check out any company using the better business bureau website.
‘Debt Free America’ is not one of the fly by night companies whose sole intention is to rip you off and clear you out. ‘Debt Free America’ is, to quote their website, “a non-profit, community service organization offering confidential and professional financial education, credit counseling, and debt management programs”, and they are damn good at it too.
So if you need help surviving a financial hell hole, check out ‘Debt Free America’ and see what they can do for you.
On the other hand if you are one of those who prefer to keep your business to yourself you may want to tackle this issue yourself and why not, we are all capable of asking the same questions that ‘Debt Free America’ ask, and we are all capable of negotiating a better deal for ourselves with our creditors, all we need is the information about how to go about it.
Well there are methods you can use that the financial institutions don’t want you to use, these methods can clear your debt in as little as three years, they are ethical, moral and legal . . . no wonder the financial institutions don’t like them!
You can find out more about these methods by following the links below.