The Answers Are Right Here In North America

     With another election behind us, it is time for our government to focus their attention on our economy and rebuilding this great country.  Everyday we are being reminded that the most pressing issue to be addressed is the “fiscal cliff.”  I am probably not alone when I wonder why this issue was not taken care of sooner than later.  In my opinion, it is just another example of how dysfunctional our government has become.  The management of our country appears to be all about putting out fires instead of preventing them.  There is no doubt that our government is facing some momentous challenges moving forward, and finding solutions will not be easy.  However, I recently read an article in the Washington Post entitled, “How the U.S. Can Deepen Ties in the Americas” which reminded me that sometimes there are some very viable solutions to our problems right here in North America.

       The author is Robert Zoellick who according to the article is a fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center and the Peterson Institute for International Economics.  Mr. Zoelick asserts that, “while our current administration is focused on more distant lands…there is an opportunity for the United States to strengthen its continental base and leverage the dynamism of the Western Hemisphere as part of a global strategy.”  He points out that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) signed with Canada and Mexico in 1994, “is now starting to reach its potential, and this is an excellent time to deepen ties.”  He goes on to say that, “the NAFTA countries should invest in a North American community that would make each stronger at home and around the world. For the United States, a more prosperous, growing, populous, integrated, energy-secure and democratic continental base would enhance private-sector possibilities and national power.”  It makes sense that as we refocus on our country here at home, that we look to our neighbors to build a stronger future.  Why do we expend more time, energy, and money on relationships with countries abroad then we do here in North America?  Why do we not leverage and learn from some of the strengths our neighbors have?
    Mr. Zoelick points out that, “as wages rise in East Asia, improved productivity in Mexico and quicker transport at lower cost are strengthening manufacturing on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border. Throughout the financial crisis, Canadian and Mexican fiscal, monetary and banking policies earned global praise, laying a foundation for a continental revival. Mexican and Canadian growth means those countries purchase more here.”  Having lived in Canada most of my life, I know the banking system there has more stringent lending practices, and there is more government oversight which has enabled Canada to come through the global financial crisis virtually unscathed.  In fact, the global community is now looking at the Canadian banking system as it tries to rebuild its fragile financial systems and economies.  Why isn’t our government utilizing knowledge from the Canadian system to help rebuild our financial and banking systems?  Another factor our government should take more seriously is the massive energy resources Canada can provide in the form of oil and gas.  If we were able to leverage those resources, in addition to our own, we could end our dependence on foreign oil, which would have enormous benefits domestically and globally.   However, there are major benefits south of our borders in Mexico as well.
     There is a new President in Mexico who is eager to address his own countries issues, and build strong productive partnerships with the U.S. and Canada as well.  We are spending so much energy debating the issue of illegal immigration in this country, and it appears a consensus is nowhere in sight.  Doesn’t it make sense that we look at it from a new perspective?  What is driving Mexican illegal immigration?  Isn’t it safe to assert that these people just want the same things we do, and our country offers the liberty and opportunities theirs doesn’t?  So wouldn’t we be better served to help Mexico build a stronger country and economy so their people will want to stay?  Mr. Zoelick also states, “with fewer illegal immigrants to the United States and better border security, Mexico and the United States may be able to achieve a politically acceptable and economically sensible immigration policy. While other advanced economies — and many developing ones — will struggle with aging and decreasing populations, North America could become a new type of rising power.”  Why are companies moving manufacturing to Asia when we could bring it home, and even utilize Mexico to help bring jobs to that country?  In addition, we also have huge opportunities in Latin America countries as well, which would help us bring global dominance back to the U.S. and North America.
     There is no doubt our government is facing enormous challenges as we move forward in the 21^st century.  However, instead of expending so much energy in putting out fires, they need to take a proactive approach in rebuilding this country and our economy.  It’s time to stop investing so much time and energy across the seas, and look to our neighbors in North America.  Its time to look back to the roots and history of this great country and continent, and focus our energies here.  Mr. Zoelick sums it up when he says, “as the president looks west across the Pacific and is pulled to the Mideast, he also needs a fresh north-south vision. North America can become a new rising power. And the foundation of the future global system can be “Made in the Americas.”