Are you following the TPP?

[OrwellwasRight]

The alleged "final round" of negotiations are happening in Salt Lake City this week.

There are weekly twitterstorms on Tuesdays, 9 Eastern/ 6 Pacific. Follow @TPPMediaMarch

Here is the latest AFL-CIO blog post on the topic:

http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Political-Action-Legislation/A-New-Trade-Deal-Is-the-Best-Kept-Secret-in-Washington

A New Trade Deal Is the Best Kept Secret in Washington


Have you heard of the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement)? If not, the reason is probably because the 12 participating countries have agreed to keep the text of the deal secret. That’s right. Unlike a normal law, average citizens don’t have an opportunity to read what is coming and weigh in with their elected officials. The AFL-CIO thinks that’s wrong. Especially when trade deals since the North American Free Trade Agreement have affected everything from jobs and wages to food safety, local zoning decisions, financial stability and even government preferences for American products (known as Buy American provisions).

Even Bloomberg News is frustrated. Its recent editorial says:

"Even lawmakers who sit on committees with jurisdiction over trade complain about being in the dark....
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"The U.S. has invited more than 500 corporate advisers to help it negotiate a deal. Corporations and trade groups, however, don’t represent the broader interests of consumers, workers, environmentalists and…oh, yes, taxpayers. Theoretically at least, representing them is Congress’s rightful role....

More at link.

Also: General TPP info here:http://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Trade/Trans-Pacific-Partnership-Free-Trade-Agreement-TPP

[jtuck004]

1. So if Congress really wanted to know about this they could subpoena the corporate stooges

that are creating it, eh?

It's a setup.

[OrwellwasRight]

2. As of now, if they really want to know,

they have to set up an appt with USTR, wait till USTR can come to the Hill, and read it in a "clean room" with no pens, pencils, paper, etc. Can't take notes or have staff with them. Super convenient.

[jtuck004]

5. Or, someone could tell Michelle Bachman they are making plans to control Tea Partiers...

Subpoenas would rain from the skies...

[Warpy]

3. As much as I can, since we're prevented from getting a good look at the bastard

I hope our congresscritters wise the hell up and refuse to vote on anything kept as deep and dark a secret as this thing is. It must be full of really awful stuff if they're this paranoid about having anyone get a look at it.

[rhett o rick]

4. Thanks for posting. See more posts and links re. the TPP in the Progressive Group.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/126999

[OrwellwasRight]

14. Thanks for sharing that. I'll start posting there too.

We need to get the word about this out of the progressive ghettos and into mainstream discussion.

[NYC_SKP]

6. Tell your congress critters you oppose the TPP.

https://action.eff.org/o/9042/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9357

[ReRe]

7. Like I said in another thread...

... it's nothing more than rule by edict. What's really going to be cute is when it flies thru Congress on fast track, ...............................though We the People don't want it.

[eridani]

8. Thankfully, some protesters are too.

http://www.flushthetpp.org/trade-talks-open-in-utah-but-secrecy-spurs-protests/


Outside Salt Lake City’s Grand America Hotel on Tuesday, the rains fell, the speakers rose, the marchers chanted.

Inside, top trade negotiators from the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations perhaps discussed imports and exports, profits and products, prices and patents. The exact topics aren’t known. The talks were closed.

And that concerns critics most of all as parties from the Trans-Pacific Partnership launched a 19th round of negotiations — this time in Utah — in search of a sweeping free-trade agreement.

Tuesday’s rally, organized by a coalition called the Citizens Trade Campaign, of Washington, D.C., drew 100 or so protesters, who worry that the high-level talks have been conducted behind closed doors with only multinational corporations given access to proposed provisions.

[Laelth]

9. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth

[OrwellwasRight]

13. Thank you!

[Laelth]

15. My pleasure. Bonus kick. n/t

-Laelth

[newfie11]

10. Anyone voting for this has got to be profiting from it somehow

It is a piece of shit and unless your making a profit from voting for it, why would you?
More crooks in congress!

[antigop]

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

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101667554

[OrwellwasRight]

12. TPP Twitterstorm, Tuesday, November 26. Join in!

TPP Tuesday is a weekly Twitterstorm event to spread thematic messages about the TPP. Last week, the question was "Where is Democracy in the TPP?" This week, the storm is hosted by @FairTradeCampus, and it's theme is young people's thoughts on the TPP. All interests parties, please join in! You can also help by spreading the word to your networks and in your twitterverse.

The event will be held Tuesday, November 26 at 9PM Eastern/6PM Pacific (US Times). It'll be the most exciting SFW one hour you'll have on twitter ever.

Use the link below to spread the word. And thanks!

https://twitter.com/TPPMediaMarch/status/405097539122106368/photo/1/large