The Free-Trade Job-Loss Express Is Coming Straight At Us

[xchrom]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/08/13-2



The giant multinationals are pushing a trade deal that will literally let them bypass our laws. This deal is called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and it is coming at us in the next few months. The corporations are trying to switch this gravy-train onto the “Fast Track.” For them this deal is the light at the end of the tunnel of democracy and self-government that has been trying to reign them in. We need to get this runaway train back on the rails or We the People will be begging for scraps thrown from the caboose. Call your Senators and Representative today and let them know that people are paying attention and oppose “Fast Track trade authority.”

Fast Track

President Obama’s US Trade Representative (USTR) and lobbyists for the giant multinationals are asking Congress to yield its Constitutionally-mandated obligation to carefully review and amend the upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. They want Congress to give the administration “Fast Track” “trade-promotion” authority (TPA) so they can get the deal done ASAP. ASAP in this case means literally in the next few months.

Politico has the story inside their story USTR headed to Japan to attack auto trade barriers,

[The US trade representative's] trip comes as the Obama administration hustles to make a major trade deal with Japan and 10 other Pacific Rim countries happen by the end of this year.

… The Obama administration needs Congress to approve “fast-track” authority guaranteeing that TPP would get a vote without amendments …. The administration has a short window of opportunity before campaigning revs up for the 2014 election, making it a near-impossible environment to get such a massive trade deal done.

[Lasher]

1. Fast track = no amendments

and no filibuster.

[4Q2u2]

2. I guess we have our answer

That is not the light at the end of the tunnel, but a train headed right for us. Together we can trickle down. Down to nothing, I guess that is the true meaning of "Trickle Down Economics", we all end up at the bottom.

[antigop]

3. Hillary Clinton's Business Legacy at the State Department (leading part in drafting TPP)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=67554

[Wilms]

5. ^

[L0oniX]

9. That will piss off the Clinton center right DLC worshippers. n/t

[antigop]

10. it will? did you forget the sarcasm thingy? nt

[AzDar]

4. K & R

[cali]

6. k&r

there's a more than decent chance that the TPA will be shot down in the House.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/06/the-odd-bipartisan-coalition-that-could-sink-obamas-free-trade-legacy/276938/

[madrchsod]

7. where`s the teaparty on this issue?

the sound of crickets....

[G_j]

8. K&R for the Deathstar

[Safetykitten]

11. It's a sure thing, like Larry at the Fed. Nothing will stop this. Obama oddly gets stuff done.

When money and people that give him money are concerned.

[Fuddnik]

12. Oh Goody! More Hope and Change!