President Bill Clinton promoted and passed NAFTA, with former Vice President Al Gore’s help. Also — wake up, America! The Japanese control 96 percent and Korea controls 95 percent, respectively, of their countries’ auto markets. America controls 45 percent of the U.S. auto market. Why? Listen up, America! Fifty-eight countries tax imported products with a value added tax (VAT). Three do not: the United States, Gibralter and Saudi Arabia. The VAT ranges from 5 to 25 percent and must be paid the moment the goods are imported. The U.S. should use their system. “Level the playing field” on trade, by imposing the same VAT on all imported products from every country that taxes ours. And President Obama can use this revenue to pay for health care reform.

We need fair trade. They do it to us. We need good leaders for God and country — not for themselves.

Chuck Lowe

Middletown