Over the years OCM has undertaken a number of significant projects. Some turned out better than others. Notable successes include the retreat and publication of “A Food and Agriculture Policy for the 21st Century”, and initiating and participating in the coalition that produced “USDA INC.” a study and media event that revealed how big agribusiness firms had hijacked “The People’s Departments” (USDA).

Again, with a little help from our friends, OCM is about to embark on an important project; clearly the most ambitious project we have ever undertaken. At the Glen Eyrie Conference Center in Colorado Springs, November 15-17 we’re going to conduct the first of a three-conference series on globalization and free trade. This conference; “Free Trade and Globalization; American Opportunity or Risk to Economy and Security?” will tell the rest of the story!

The American people were sold a bill of goods with NAFTA and the other “so called” free trade agreements. Every single promise made has failed to materialize. We have seen our family farms and ranches put out of business, our manufacturing base hollowed out, good jobs transferred to cheap labor in the developing world and an accumulated trade balance since 1990 that is off the charts. This debt owed to foreign interests now approaches $6 trillion and grows by more than $2 billion every day; it threatens to undermine our national economic security. To add insult to injury, these United States of America, the world’s richest nation and only remaining superpower has become the world’s greatest debtor nation; -------- with China, a country with rampant poverty holding more of that debt than any other country. Outrageous!

Now we see the emerging plans to greatly expand the port system in Mexico and build a NAFTA superhighway to handle the expected continuation of cheap Asian (mostly Chinese) imports that increases 15% each year. Mexico, having lost most of its manufacturing to even cheaper labor in Asia, is now relegated to being a cut-rate longshoreman for those who took away the jobs they acquired via the “Giant Sucking Sound”.

Beyond any doubt, Free trade and globalization have been demonstrated to be a dismal failure. It is past time to tell the U. S. voter the truth, and with this conference series we intend to do that!
OCM Board Member and project designer, John Dittrich has produced a masterful fourteen page roadmap for a successful conference. Our friends and allies, National Farmers Union and American Corn Growers Association have joined us as co-organizers of the event and assisted with funding.

The talented Peter O’Driscoll, Director of Action Aid International has become a key advisor. Tom Mullikin and his twenty-seven member team, from the prestigious law firm, Moore & Van Allen have committed (pro bono) to assist us in making this conference series a smashing success. Many other organization, activities and individuals will furnish financial support.

We currently have commitments from nationally prominent experts as participants and are assured of finishing out our participants list with truly distinguished individuals. I have been amazed at how eager prominent and talented folks are to be a part of this conference series. OCM is rapidly expanding its circle of friends and bringing together a new and powerful coalition.
Please read with some care the related articles by Professor Peter Morici and Senior U. S. Business and Industry Council Fellow, William Hawkins. Our foreign debt and the plans for building infrastructure for expanded Asian imports (and diminished U. S. exports) are major concerns. However, there are other important issues that we will examine in these conferences; including national security, sovereignty, food security and the shrinking middle class.

The products generated by these conferences will be highly publicized. We intend to get the word out. It does little good to arrive at the truth and then hide it under a rock. After this first conference, we will immediately begin planning for the next. which will address courses of action and specific solutions to the problems identified and illuminated. This second conference will bring together the elements of a new and powerful coalition, which will have the ability to more adequately represent our side of the debate. It will likely be held in a media center such as Washington DC.

This first conference in Colorado Springs is not an open meeting, but we will have some space for observers. Let us know if you would like to attend a portion of this first conference and we’ll try to fit you in. Stay tuned!FS