Call Congress right fucking NOW!!!

[cali]

And tell your rep hell no to fast tracking and hell no to the atrocious TPP

No to Fast Track for the Trans Pacific Partnership Pact.

This is crucial. It's without doubt the most important issue facing us. If the Congress gives in to President Obama and passes Fast Track, the damage will be incalculable.

What is Fast Track?

The fast track negotiating authority (also called trade promotion authority or TPA, since 2002) for trade agreements is the authority of the President of the United States to negotiate international agreements that the Congress can approve or disapprove but cannot amend or filibuster. Fast-track negotiating authority is granted to the president by Congress. It was in effect pursuant to the Trade Act of 1974 from 1975 to 1994 and was restored in 2002 by the Trade Act of 2002. It expired at midnight on July 1, 2007.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_track_%28trade%29

Yes, it expired in 2007, but our new Trade Representative, Michael Froman, in his confirmation hearing promised Congress that he would push to have it reinstated:

06/24/13

President Obama is ready to work with Congress to win fast-track trade negotiating authority, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman told The Hill on Monday in an exclusive interview.

<snip>

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/1005-trade/307503-president-ready-to-engage-with-congress-on-fast-track

The nominee for US Trade Representative (USTR) has just promised Congress that he will push for “Fast Track” authority. Fast Track essentially removes democracy from the trade negotiating and agreement process. It also gives negotiators the authority to go way beyond what we would consider “trade,” and requires a fast (60 days) “up or down” approval vote without amendments. This gives the giant corporations the opportunity to blast the country with major, multi-million-dollar PR campaigns just before a vote comes up, swamping the ability of We the People to organize and respond.

Trade Rep Nominee Pushes For Fast Track

This just hit the news: Reuters, USTR nominee Froman promises push for trade promotion authority, “If confirmed, I will engage with you to renew Trade Promotion Authority. TPA is a critical tool. I look forward to working with you to craft a bill that achieves our shared goals,” Mike Froman, currently the White House international economic affairs adviser, said at his confirmation hearing.”

<snip>

http://blog.ourfuture.org/20130606/a-very-bad-sign-at-hearing-for-new-trade-representative

Two thirds of Freshman Democrats in the House oppose Fast Track.

http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/global-economy/304843-democratic-freshmen-oppose-fast-track-trade-powers-for-obama

[MotherPetrie]

1. This is a Reagan/Bush level of betrayal by Obama. Another one, I mean.

[graham4anything]

2. Shame all those democratic people that voted for Reagan/Bush and not Jimmy Carter, I agree.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

15. Shame on all those who support the betrayal of the middle-class.

[djean111]

21. Are you really honestly saying it is okay for Obama to do this to us because of some long-ago votes?

Are you completely separated from logic and humanity?
Are you saying the shame does not belong to Obama? This is his baby, no one else owns it.
HE will propose it. HE will fast track it.
Way to blow the 2014 and 2016 elections to dripping chunks.

I suppose we will be reading how the TPP is a GOOD thing, shortly.

[nineteen50]

25. Yet it is a continuation of Clinton's trade development

direction NAFTA>

[AnotherMcIntosh]

31. He's saying it. You asked if he is "really honestly saying it." That depends upon your perception.

[L0oniX]

43. Shame on Bill Clinton.

[cali]

3. I try to avoid criticizing him..

I don't want to get into tussles about Obama. I want to stop fast track in its... tracks.

don't mean to be pushy, but have you called your rep to let him know you oppose the TPP and fast tracking it? We need the numbers.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

5. 1 small detail.

...have you called your rep to let him know you oppose the TPP and fast tracking it?

Don't call reps, call senators. They're the only ones that ratify foreign pacts and treaties.

Although I'm assuming you know that and, as I have done on occasion, misspoke from the common vernacular.

[cali]

6. fast tracking legislation must originate in the House

so yes, call your reps about fast tracking TPP and call your Senators about TPP itself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_track_%28trade%29

[Nuclear Unicorn]

8. Duly noted and -- thank-you.

However, that being said, I'd think the House would prefer such legislation; numbers considered. That's not to dissuade anyone from calling their rep but I'll wager the best chance is in the senate. Perhaps the President's own party can't keep him from making a serious blunder whereas the opposition would cheer his actions.

[cali]

10. thank you for paying such close attention

I disagree that the House is a lost cause. Republican antipathy to anything the President wants cannot be discounted. Quite a few repub reps oppose this- mostly the tea party sort and many progressive dems oppose it- an odd coalition to be sure, but hey, beggars can't be choosers.

[tblue]

13. If the Tea Party doesn't like it

it probably won't pass. No one gives a damn what liberals want. But the Tea Party, they listen to. I can't believe I'm saying the Tea Party could save us but I hope I'm right.

Otoh, why the hell is President Obama doing this to us????!!!!!

[cali]

16. no kidding. it's depressing to think that the tea party might help

stop this. but better that than the alternative.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

18. Because this future member of the super-rich is working on his retirement plan.

President Harry Truman (D) drove home in his own Buick.

President Obama (Centrist, 3rd-Wayer) is not going to make that financial mistake.

[MotherPetrie]

41. How can you avoid criticizing Obama over this? It's HIS deal!

[cali]

44. it actually predates him, but it's difficult to avoid criticizing him.

I just focus on the issue at hand.

[MotherPetrie]

47. It is Obama's deal now because he is pushing it -- it wasn't congress that classified the details.

It was the Obama administration.

O-B-A-M-A.

[cali]

49. It's not like I don't realize that this is at Obama's feet

I don't need it spelled out for me. I just don't see the point in getting hung up on that.

[nineteen50]

24. This is a international corporate betrayal wrapped in

Obama magic talk. Can anyone say one world corporate order?

[MattSh]

4. I hope Snowden doesn't have anything on this...

Or soon, quite a few people will be telling us how great the Trans Pacific Partnership must be.

[tblue]

14. Touché

[CanonRay]

7. Sometimes I think the elites want riots in the streets

The middle class is collapsing, and this is yet another serious attack on what's left. This has got to change soon, or there is going to be serious trouble in this country.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

11. If you could be self-reliant you wouldn't need them.

The serfs didn't become free from an act of beneficent emancipation but the fact the manor lord became irrelevant though he did everything in his power to resist that fact.

[nineteen50]

28. They set the policy legislation in private

and by the time everyone else learns what has happened they are already on to the next fast track. Neo-cons were the masters.

[East Coast Pirate]

9. Shhhhhhhhh

This is supposed to be a secret.

[raouldukelives]

12. Investors fund it, lobbyists spend it, politicians take it, we all get TPP'd. nt

[NoMoreWarNow]

17. TPP'd ON, you mean

[AnotherMcIntosh]

19. As part of the PR campaign, you can expect the super-rich to mess with the DOW, and have

the DOW discussed endlessly by the TV talking heads to support what they are doing.

The super-rich have enough money to control the DOW in either direction that they want.

For most Americans, including those who will accept the DOW as being THE barometer of the economy, the DOW is not the economy.

The super-rich are going to do more than just have the talking heads tell us how wonderful the pending let's-send-even-more-jobs-to-foreign-countries "free-trade" agreement is.

[nineteen50]

29. Those who control ths microphone control the discussion.

Money is free speech don't you know!

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

20. Finally, an explanation on how Clinton was stuck with NAFTA...

... Poppy Bush had fast tracked it, there was nothing left for Clinton and Gore to negotiate other than a few environmental issues concerning companies (FORD) relocating manufacturing plants to Mexico.

"The fast track negotiating authority (also called trade promotion authority or TPA, since 2002) for trade agreements is the authority of the President of the United States to negotiate international agreements that the Congress can approve or disapprove but cannot amend or filibuster"

At the time, the fast track rules were that it became law no matter who was president, within 9 months of the declaration (by Poppy).

I hope this helps a few understand just what Clinton/Gore had to do with NAFTA.

[djean111]

23. Thank you.

I will not support any Democrat who supports this thing. Let the chips fall where they may.
(Yes I know I just have one puny vote.)

[AnotherMcIntosh]

32. No matter what Bush I did, Clinton didn't have to sign it and betray us all.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

33. That is false...

... I followed the progress of setting up NAFTA closely at the time. Poppy and PNAC'ers had made David Rockefeller the ad hoc ambassador to Mexico so as to facilitate the implementation of what Poppy ultimately fast tracked. What part of, "once fast tracked, it becomes law regardless of who is president", are people unable to grasp? Clinton had no choice but to sign it, after trying to make the best of a bag of crap that was handed to him.

It isn't me. It is just the way the law works in this instance.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

37. Who was the president on Nov 20, 1993 when the Senate voted 61-38 for NAFTA?

After Bush I was out of office, Clinton's advance OK meant that it was OK for Senate Democrats to join him.

Do you recognize the names of these?
Baucus (D-MT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boren (D-OK)
Bradley (D-NJ)
Breaux (D-LA)
Bumpers (D-AR)
Daschle (D-SD)
DeConcini (D-AZ)
Dodd (D-CT)
Graham (D-FL)
Harkin (D-IA)
Johnston (D-LA)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerrey (D-NE)
Kerry (D-MA)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Mathews (D-TN)
Mitchell (D-ME)
Moseley-Braun (D-IL)
Murray (D-WA)
Nunn (D-GA)
Pell (D-RI)
Pryor (D-AR)
Robb (D-VA)
Simon (D-IL)

Excuse me, but this should be obvious: They took the vote and Clinton signed it because the vote and Clinton's signature was required in order for NAFTA to be the law. No fast-track nonsense made NAFTA the law before the vote was taken and before Clinton signed it.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

38. Once again...

... What part of the fast track law don't you understand? Being rigid on failure to see, is about all I get out of your post.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

40. You asked, "What part of the fast track law don't you understand?" (Or, implicitly, what part of

your perception of the fast track law don't I understand.)

What I don't understand is how anybody could seriously believe that any fast-track nonsense made NAFTA the law before the vote was taken and before Clinton signed it.

I don't think that you seriously believe that because that is not the law. I don't think that you seriously believe that Bill Clinton was just acting as a figure-head when he influenced Democratic Senators and then signed it.

[dotymed]

46. I think you should read up

on "fast tracking."
If Clinton had not signed NAFTA into law, it would not be.
I remember him saying that "we" could pull out of this agreement if "we" didn't like it.....

Corporatists... and this was way before Citizens United.

Sarah Palin (omg) wants to create a new conservative party.

I'd be thrilled to join Sanders, Democratic Socialist party.
If that is too liberal for most liberals, we should at least start a real Progressive Party.... a "Peoples Party" if you will.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

50. I beg to differ on your analysis...

... and no, I am not a fan of NAFTA or fast track rights for the executive branch.

"After President Bush won the right to negotiate a free trade agreement over Congress's objections, labor and environmental forces participated in consultations about the content of the NAFTA with the negotiators from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and others in the former Bush Administration. 6 Environmental groups even followed a strategy of litigation to force the USTR to conduct an environmental impact statement on the draft and completed versions of the NAFTA. 7

While the NAFTA negotiations were completed before the 1992 presidential election, the agreement's fate fell victim to election year politics. President Bush sold the NAFTA as a creator of jobs to a U.S. population mired in recession."

https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexis.com/webcd/app?action=DocumentDisplay&crawlid=1&doctype=cite&docid=28+GW+J.+Int'l+L.+%26+Econ.+2&srctype=smi&srcid=3B15&key=dfb6259fbd67f516582b77330cc42a11

So, as I mentioned, there was nothing other than minor environmental issues left for Clinton and Gore to negotiate. It was a bitter pill all around. And as to Clinton, "endorsing", the concept of NAFTA, much can be read into that.

edit: to fix link

[AnotherMcIntosh]

51. I don't care how you perceive Bush as having sold NAFTA. Clinton willingly bought it, as did the

Senators who voted for it so that he could sign it.

Double-talk doesn't justify what was done.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

52. That's ok...

...

[hfojvt]

39. yeah, that sounds like historical revisionism to me

because I still remember Clinton, lobbying Congress to pass it and I have looked up the votes in the Congressional record where Congress did pass it.

If it was going to become law anyway, there would have been no need for the lobbying, and no need for the vote.

[limpyhobbler]

22. K&R. done. Thank you. nt

[watoos]

26. I hate to say this but

after TPP, I hear there is a Eurozone-trade agreement next.

[caseymoz]

27. I did. I called and wrote my rep.

Tomorrow I call my Senator. (I think one is hopeless.)

[cali]

30. thanks. maybe we can really

get this ball rolling and raise the profile of this issue.

[Half-Century Man]

34. Contacted my Representative and 1 Senator.

my other Senator is Ron Johnson a re-thug-lacan.

[cascadiance]

35. FTA (Fast Track Authority) = FUCK THAT ALREADY!!!!

[senseandsensibility]

36. Thanks for this. I really mean it.

And I hope everyone calls their rep.

[cali]

45. thank you, senseandsensibility (one of my favs, btw)

[ReRe]

42. K&R

To the moon and back, Alice...

[felix_numinous]

48. I want to have hope

but lately.. OK I'll call.

[antigop]

53. And who took a leading part in drafting the TPP?

According to Business Week:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-10/hillary-clintons-business-legacy-at-the-state-department#p2

She’s pressed the case for U.S. business in Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries in China’s shadow. She’s also taken a leading part in drafting the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the free-trade pact that would give U.S. companies a leg up on their Chinese competitors.

[cali]

54. Thanks for that information!

[antigop]

55. be sure to read the whole article...it's quite enlightening...all those million miles racked up. nt

[cali]

56. will do. I'm trying to read as much as I can about it.