kudos to Baron Hill and C-J on trade (but hisses to Yarmuth)

From the editorialists on this AM's C-J, a surprising ode to free trade...

Alpaca coats, anyone?

The House of Representatives took another step toward expanding free trade with Latin America last week with passage of the Peru Free Trade Agreement. But prodded by U.S. labor and other protectionist interests, 116 Democrats -- including Louisville's John Yarmuth and the 6th District's Ben Chandler -- voted against the measure. Southern Indiana's Baron Hill and another 108 Democrats joined 176 Republicans to pass the bill, which promises to expand the spirit of NAFTA.

For all his progressive ideas, trying to limit expansion of the global economy isn't in the best interests of Rep. Yarmuth's district, nor is it good for the Bluegrass region that Rep. Chandler serves. In addition to American farm products, Peru expects to import large quantities of manufactured goods and expand financial and communications links with the United States.

Big labor complains that American jobs are being lost as a result. But those squawks are drowned out by the cha-ching of the cash register for American goods and services.