"The TPP is not about free trade. It's a corporate coup d'etat--against us!"

[cadaverdog]

I have been pretty much a "lurker" here, just dropping the occasional quip from time to time, pretty much avoiding the real heat of battle. But, I have also been following the goings-on surrounding the TPP, and I now consider the TPP to be a "clear and present danger" to this Country. Hopefully I can offer some clarity as to why I feel so. To that end I present selections from three pieces I consider to be most helpful in forming an opinion regarding the TPP. I encourage you follow the links to the full articles--your time won't be wasted. All bolds are mine.

From Alternet, Jun 29, 2012

Trans-Pacific Partnership: Under Cover of Darkness, a Corporate Coup is Underway

With the direct participation of 600 corporations and shocking levels of secrecy, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is rushing to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Branded as a trade agreement (yawn) by its corporate proponents, TPP largely has evaded public and congressional scrutiny since negotiations were launched in 2008 by the George W. Bush administration.

But trade is the least of it. Only two of TPP’s 26 chapters actually have to do with trade. The rest is about new enforceable corporate rights and privileges and constraints on government regulation. This includes new extensions of price-raising drug patent monopolies, corporate rights to attack government drug formulary pricing plans, safeguards to facilitate job offshoring and new corporate controls over natural resources.

more at: http://www.alternet.org/story/156059/trans-pacific_partnership%3A_under_cover_of_darkness,_a_corporate_coup_is_underway

If you read only one of these articles in it's entirety, make it the following. I like to think of it as a "Dummies Guide to the TPP"

From the Aug, 2013 edition of the Hightower Lowdown, by Jim Hightower:

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is not about free trade. It's a corporate coup d'etat--against us!

The other two dozen chapters amount to a devilish "partnership" for corporate protectionism. They create sweeping new "rights" and escape hatches to protect multinational corporations from accountability to our governments... and to us. Here are a few of TPP's provisos that would make our daily lives riskier, poorer, and less free:

Food safety. Any of our government's food safety regulations (on pesticide levels, bacterial contamination, fecal exposure, toxic additives, GMOs, non-edible fillers, etc.) that are stricter than "international standards," as most are, could be ruled as "illegal trade barriers." Then our government would have to revise our consumer protections to comply with the weaker global standards. Also, our government could no longer ban meat imports that don't meet our safe-to-eat laws, as long as the exporting nation simply claims that its inspection system is "equivalent" to ours. In addition, food labeling laws we rely on (organic, country-of-origin, animal-welfare approved, GMO-free, etc.) would also be subject to challenge as trade barriers.

more at: http://www.hightowerlowdown.org/node/3402#.VKnRVCi6zCM

Which brings us up to just a few days ago, Dec. 30, 2014. From the NYTimes:

Obama's Trade Chief, Undaunted by Odds, Pushes for Trans-Pacific Partnership

A California-born lawyer who has known Mr. Obama since they were classmates at Harvard Law School, Mr.(Michael) Froman, 52, exudes a genial charm. But it masks a relentless drive that propelled him from senior posts in the Clinton administration to a career at Citigroup, where he earned millions of dollars before resigning to join the Obama administration. (snip)

As the negotiations for T.P.P. have dragged on, missing multiple deadlines, Mr. Froman has expressed unwavering confidence in the outcome, saying the various parties are searching for “landing zones” on issues ranging from Japanese farm subsidies to Vietnamese labor regulations.(snip)

“Mike Froman, he’s wonderful,” said Representative Dave Reichert, Republican of Washington, who has formed the Friends of T.P.P. with a small, bipartisan and regionally diverse group of four representatives.

(I wonder if Congressman "Sandy" Levin is one of the four?)

more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/31/business/obamas-trade-chief-undaunted-by-odds-pushes-for-trans-pacific-partnership.html?_r=0

Finally, this is how I see it; if the 600 corporate participants can agree on the substance of the treaty, and if the President is granted "fast track" authorization," the treaty will be presented to him for his signature, after which the Congress will go through the motions (maybe Alan Grayson's famous 88 seconds)and a straight up or down vote, and Wham! it's a done deal. No open debate, no amendments, no filibuster, and no expiration date! No future President can overturn this piece of treaty.(this restriction is from multiple sources) "But the Republicans are just as likely to deny Obama fast track, because they hate him!" Yeah, when was the last time you saw Republicans reject something big business really wanted? And McConnell supports the TPP.

It's going to be very ugly if this goes through. Please, at the very least write or phone your members of congress urging them to stop this corporate takeover of United States.

[djean111]

1. wish I could kick and rec 1000 times.

My future votes will be determined by this issue. This issue, IMO, is a worldwide corporate coup.
SCOTUS is moot.

[840high]

14. ...^ that

[arcane1]

20. Exactly!

[QuestionAlways]

77. Contact your Right Wing friends and tell them

this is the first step cowards the "New World Order" they are so afraid of. Let them know this is something we can work together on, since neither of us is willing to give up national sovereignty, although for different reasons.

[djean111]

85. Ah - you are right! New World Order it is, really, and they yammer about that all the time,

for the wrong reasons. It is not the United Nations, it is their Koch-like buddies.
It is the banks they think they need to deregulate. It is the people who will poison their air and water and ship their jobs off. All beloved by dim-witted GOPers.

[JEB]

2. K&R&bookmark

Thanks for posting those links. Very important stuff.

[Blecht]

3. Thank you

Kick and recommend

[appalachiablue]

4. It's corporate takeover complete. I've followed this for a couple years. The ultra wealthy must have

personal food suppliers or own farmland for growing their own food and meat. The lessening of standards for food regulation for the masses is disturbing like the rest of this 'agreement'.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

59. If they don't yet they soon will.

[antigop]

5. K&r nt

[stage left]

6. K&R nt

[niyad]

7. k and r + a gazillion

[48lowes]

8. We have to unite againist things we can agree on. Bipartisian so to speak

The Tpp, TTIP, and TISA Trade in Services Agreement are all imminent disasters that must be dealt with immediately, actually more to the point is Fast Track authorization must be defeated.

Fast Track http://ourfuture.org/20141217/citibank-budget-push-and-fast-track-for-trade-deals-same-process
(TISA) http://www.democraticunderground.com/12691323
(TTIP) http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/28137-the-trade-agreement-pinatas

Get you head outta the sand people Thank you cadaverdog for trying to wake us up.

[Octafish]

9. TPP has ''LARRY SUMMERS'' written all over it.

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/118797/larry-summers-interview-ex-im-bank-secular-stagnation-and-trade

[99th_Monkey]

10. K & R - I completely agree that TPP is a corporate coup d'etat

[appalachiablue]

11. TTIP- the TransAtlantic Trade & Investment Partnership is another huge component that

Europeans are rightly upset about. The 'T-TIP' trade agreement further promotes deregulation in many fields and is intended to weaken labor and governments. Just Corporations in charge not people or nations. Posted now on the DU Home Page, 'Austerity Killing You? How about a Trade Deal?' with links to a Huff Po article.
Bill Moyers of PBS and attorney Mike Papantonio of the 'Ring of Fire' radio program have covered these lately.

[gordianot]

12. When a financial crush happens they all fall by signed agreement on paper.

As to corporate take over of the United States that happened long ago, at least people can complain about it for now while that is still allowed.

[Doctor_J]

13. And that's just what has been revealed. The secret part will be much worse

[Locrian]

15. corporate soverengity

Citizens united gave them "citizenship"
TPP will give they supreme authority - ie sovereignty

Sovereignty, in layman's terms, means a state or a governing body has the full right and power to govern itself without any interference from outside sources or bodies. In political theory, sovereignty is a substantive term designating supreme authority over some polity.[1] It is a basic principle underlying the dominant Westphalian model of state foundation.

Of course - that also means they govern US as we will have no power.

There is no hyperbole in saying this is a fascist take over of the world.

[Initech]

16. NAFTA was about corporations having more power than people.

TPP is about corporations having more power than governments. Bernie Sanders is right - there is class warfare going on. Only it's 600 corporations against all of humanity. If TPP passes corporations will become self aware. There will be no government of, by, and for the people anymore. A fascist dictatorship run by the Fortune 400 will be the new normal.

[dotymed]

17. I live in Tn.

Of course "my" representatives are neo-cons. I have written, called, etc. to no avail on many subjects.
Yes, "the South" is red but this goes much deeper.
Most Americans do not have actual representation when it comes to governing America. As we know, for the most part "our" Congress and seemingly the other branches of American politics including the SCOTUS have little interest in what the mass of their constituents want or need. The Media (the only supposed NGO mentioned in our Constitution) which is supposed to be the last line of defense for the masses is owned and operated (like most politicians) by and for the elite corporations.
IMO, if it is possible to elect Bernie Sanders as POTUS (an actual representative for the majority), Americans will stand a chance to change our current, untenable paradigm. He is a transformative figure whose actions and ideas have resonated with average Americans for decades. At least the ones who have been paying attention.
Again IMO,our Democracy is almost gone. Unless something dramatically changes (like America being led by an actual representative of the majority, like Sanders is) we will soon be in a revolution. The continued and increasing wealth inequality alone will cause this. There are so many contributing factors like LEO militarization, incarceration rates, etc.. that I believe"they" are prepared for this eventuality.
We already live in a police state with no guarantee of privacy. We watch as the SCOTUS rolls back our civil and due process rights. The freedom of assembly and our right to be safe from illegal searches are almost gone.
Call me a CT but lately I feel that writing or speaking out against injustice puts a target on my back. Ironically, the wealthy and corporations who actually commit treason (including Bush, Cheney and their minions) are lionized by the media and the elite.
The people have taken far more than I thought possible. The re-written history, educational level and moral bankruptcy emulated from "our leaders" has taken America from the sensibility of FDR (elected 4 times) to torture, pre-emptive wars and our largest wealth inequality since the Gilded Age. There is so much more.
Bernie is an FDR style leader and a proven quantity. While in the last 50 years it seems impossible to rouse the hoi polloi, I believe we are close to saying (and meaning), No More. If not, we may never get another chance. I hate to think that this is how the America experiment ends.

[BlueJazz]

18. What's the big deal about this ??

"As long as the exporting nation simply claims that its inspection system is "equivalent" to ours."

Look...Haiti said that their Beef, Pork and Veggies are safe. That's good enough for me!!

.
.
.

[ReRe]

81. Looks like George Carlin's "meatcake"

... or E.G.Robinson's "solilent green."

[BlueJazz]

83. Ah....Edward G. Wonderful, wonderful actor. "Yeah kid, you're good, you're real good,...

...but as long as I'm around, you'll always be second best"

[ReRe]

87. I loved that little man ;-) n/t

[arcane1]

19. And we know what that says about ANY politician who supports it.

It means they are not loyal to the citizens of the United States. It means they are participants in a coup against us.

As much as I hate to say it, it sounds like the kind of thing a traitor would support

[upaloopa]

32. Please tell me why corporations need TPP if everything

is just fine now and nothing changes.
If we didn't need to worry about it why the secrecy? Why the fast track?
Just plain common sense tells us to question this thing.
None of us would buy a used car under these conditions.

[Deny and Shred]

80. Yet I still keep seeing

right here on DU in fact,

that Fast Track is a good thing - it keeps the Republicans out of the process so that TPP is a purely Democratic invention.

So the whole thing says quite a bit about Democrats who support it.

Be proud.

[blackspade]

21. The TPP and other 'trade' agreements are a corporate scam.

[pampango]

22. Krugman does not believe that it represents a corporate coup d'etat. WorldNut Daily agrees with you.

There’s a lot of hype about T.P.P., from both supporters and opponents. Supporters like to talk about the fact that the countries at the negotiating table comprise around 40 percent of the world economy, which they imply means that the agreement would be hugely significant. But trade among these players is already fairly free, so the T.P.P. wouldn’t make that much difference.... opponents portray the T.P.P. as a huge plot, suggesting that it would destroy national sovereignty and transfer all the power to corporations. This, too, is hugely overblown. Corporate interests would get somewhat more ability to seek legal recourse against government actions, but, no, the Obama administration isn’t secretly bargaining away democracy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/opinion/krugman-no-big-deal.html

Will GOP stab its voters in the back?

Sen. Mitch McConnell, eager to show the world a GOP-run Congress “can govern,” wants to give President Obama extra-constitutional “fast track” power. Obama would use this power to bypass Congress and enact the globalists’ newest so-called free trade deal, the TransPacific Partnership. It’s better known as Obamatrade because Congress would have to pass it to find out what’s in it. But Obamatrade is deeply unpopular with the American people, and even more unpopular with conservatives and the other voters Republican rely on to win elections.

While 35 percent of Democrats said trade deals like NAFTA and the WTO have been bad for the country, 54 percent of Republicans and a whopping 63 percent of folks who identify with the tea party said they’re bad. And while 47 percent of Democrats believe the trade deals lead to job losses, 58 percent of Republicans and fully 67 percent of tea party conservatives see them as job-killers.

The American Enterprise Institute, hardly a liberal front group, cites the definitive Pew research, Beyond Red and Blue. It found white working class voters oppose free trade agreements by a 2-to-1 margin – and they oppose increased immigration. These voters see so-called free trade and amnesty as two sides of the same coin: “They are pressed by competition from foreigners at home (immigration) and abroad (free trade), and they don’t like it,” Olsen writes. So, while the effete intellectuals at Beltway think tanks try to peddle the myth that only the labor unions in the Democratic Party oppose so-called free trade, the truth is patriotic conservatives understand it is just more of the open-borders globalism that is destroying the country we love.

http://www.wnd.com/2014/11/will-gop-stab-its-voters-in-the-back/

"Congress would have to pass it to find out what’s in it."

I've heard that exact same piece of misinformation I have seen posted here.

[arcane1]

27. Krugman is against it, and so am I. I'm not sure why you needed the WND smear.

[pampango]

33. Krugman is not against it. He thinks it is no big deal one way or the other.

No Big Deal

The first thing you need to know about trade deals in general is that they aren’t what they used to be. The glory days of trade negotiations — the days of deals like the Kennedy Round of the 1960s, which sharply reduced tariffs around the world — are long behind us.

Why? Basically, old-fashioned trade deals are a victim of their own success: there just isn’t much more protectionism to eliminate.

In short, there isn’t a compelling case for this deal, from either a global or a national point of view.

So don’t cry for T.P.P. If the big trade deal comes to nothing, as seems likely, it will be, well, no big deal.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/opinion/krugman-no-big-deal.html?_r=0

Hardly the words of someone who opposes something.

While the Democratic base supports the TPP, the WND article is more evidence that the far-right opposes it. If you think that is irrelevant, so be it.

[arcane1]

42. Quotes from your link: "It’s far from clear that the T.P.P. is a good idea."

"I am in general a free trader, but I’ll be undismayed and even a bit relieved if the T.P.P. just fades away."


"Is this a good thing from a global point of view? Doubtful."

"Now, the corporations benefiting from enhanced control over intellectual property would often be American. But this doesn’t mean that the T.P.P. is in our national interest. What’s good for Big Pharma is by no means always good for America."


"In short, there isn’t a compelling case for this deal, from either a global or a national point of view."

"the push for T.P.P. seems almost weirdly out of touch with both economic and political reality"



The "No big deal" reference is about what happens if the TPP does NOT pass:

"So don’t cry for T.P.P. If the big trade deal comes to nothing, as seems likely, it will be, well, no big deal."

He sounds awfully unsupportive to me

[Union Scribe]

41. lol you're going to have to start

paying royalties for using the same blasé article in every thread. Do you just keep it loaded to your clipboard all the time?

[pampango]

43. Does that mean you think the wacko right actually supports the TPP? They are paranoid about

"open borders liberals" and "globalists" in the Obama administration.

Poll: conservative and moderate republicans oppose fast track (for the TPP) by a ratio of 85 percent or higher.

On the question of fast-track authority, 62 percent of respondent opposed the idea, with 43 percent “strongly” opposing it. Broken down by political affiliation, only Democrats that identify as “liberal” strongly favor the idea. Predictably, a strong Republican majority oppose giving the president such authority, with both conservative and moderates oppose it by a ratio of 85 percent or higher.

http://www.ibtimes.com/trans-pacific-partnership-tpp-poll-only-strongest-obama-supporters-want-him-have-fast-track-1552039

[arcane1]

54. That appears to be a poll about fast-track approval, not about the TPP itself.

And in the end, it doesn't matter one bit what people in either party approve, what matters is congress. They are now known for bowing to the will of the people.

[pampango]

55. It is. Another poll shows Democratic support for TPP itself at 59%, republican support at 49%.

You are right. What either base wants is frequently not what happens.

[Number23]

70. "only Democrats that identify as “liberal” strongly favor the idea"

The more I read about this stuff, the less I understand it.

Conservatives almost to the one oppose TPP. The only supporters of the partnership appear to be liberals. But according to DU, it's liberals that are the ones opposing it the most even though that appears to be completely at odds with the conventional wisdom and reality on the matter.

“A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that a majority of Americans (55%) believe the Trans-Pacific Partnership is a good thing, while just 25% think the agreement will be bad for the country and 19% don’t have an opinion.” http://thediplomat.com/2014/04/americans-support-the-tpp-trade-with-japan/

It seems as though there is alot of confusion, doubt and uncertainly about the TPP on all sides.

[Scuba]

56. The WND smear says everything about your post.

[pampango]

65. If you consider the far-right's opposition to fast track and the TPP as a irrelevant and a smear,

so be it. I find it highly relevant.

Is the support for them from Democrats, particularly liberal Democrats, also a smear and irrelevant?

If so, I will excuse myself from this particular bashfest.

[MFrohike]

71. You should try reading Krugman

I do recall that Saint Paul correctly noted that it's not a trade pact, but a rules pact. The trade component of it will affect American GDP by less than 1% a year at best. The rules component will wipe out the protections the East Asian countries instituted to prevent another bout with the IMF. In other words, get ready for hot money inflows all over the world and the resulting depressions.

[Z_California]

23. Cue the apologists

"but it's secret so how do you know ?"
"why do you hate the President?"

[cadaverdog]

40. To respond to the first question you can tell them

"Wikileaks" which has been releasing chapters of the agreement intermittently since 2013. For example, I believe the last chapter, released on Jan 15, 2014, was on the environment.

To respond to the second question, I would suggest, "I don't hate the president, in fact some of my best friends are presidents."

And Z, I know you were being snarky, I'm also in California.

[Z_California]

24. Oh yeah, forgot

"Some Republicans don't like it so it must be OK"

[pampango]

35. Actually most republicans don't like it and most Democrats do though

that does not make it "OK". Being "OK" is in the eye of the beholder.

[Scootaloo]

52. That's been your entire argument on the thread, though

That because some on the right oppose it, that makes those on the left who oppose it bad and wrong.

Tell me, why you are for the plan? Include details beyond "the president is a Democrat" if you can.

[pampango]

53. No. The fact that republicans oppose it and Democrats support it does not make it good or right.

It does mean that it is difficult to claim that anyone who opposes it is somehow un-Democratic or not liberal.

I have said many times that I would only consider supporting the TPP if it includes strong and enforceable provisions on labor rights and the environment. If it does not have them then it is not worth passing. And even if it does it would depend on what else was in it. I don't expect a perfect agreement but would only accept a good one.

I would love to see human/labor rights and environmental protections included in international trading rules. The only way I see that happening is if we negotiate their inclusion with other countries. Those rights and standards are in the negotiating guidelines and, from what I have read, represent a major part of Obama's plan for dealing with China.

Concluding an agreement without them would in my opinion, and I hope Obama's, be pointless. I don't know that they are in the draft being negotiated, since those chapters have not been leaked, but I don't know that they are not in there either. I have read complaints from right wing sources that labor and the environment are in the discussion - and the RW'ers are complaining about it, of course. But who knows if they will be in the final document.

[Scootaloo]

57. I do not think it is very likely...

That a "Free Trade" agreement with the direct participation of 600 corporations but no information for the people of the participating nations, is likely to end up in our best interests. it will not strengthen environmental or quality regulations. it will not bolster economies. It will not enshrine labor protections. These sort of agreements never do. They seek to liberate capital and empower the moneyed classes, lessen government (i.e., public) oversight and regulation of businesses, and essentially squeeze wealth from the bottom to the top.

[Art_from_Ark]

58. The right wing in Japan generally supports it

The Japanese left wing opposes it, especially the Japanese Communist Party, which is actually the equivalent of a European labor party.

[TheKentuckian]

86. You are smoking some seriously good shit if you believe any forthcoming chapters

will raise our labor standards, human rights requirements, increase working class wages, or reduce wealth disparity.

None of it is going to happen, you may as well be holding out for how many fairies and unicorns are being negotiated. I consider your espoused position to be inherently dishonest or at bare minimum misleading.

There are no plausible benefits for the working class super majority of people in the United States only increasing the obstacles and level of difficulty in moving the needle in these areas for ourselves and ever diluting the power of our votes.

You argue for paragraphs about these points but no matter how much you go on the meat of your rationale remains nigh unto infinitely vague, it seems to me.

What set of provisions make this a lean yes for you? What benefits do you think most Americans will see as a result here? Do you really think that even our woefully unacceptable current minimums and regulations will be the base line established, much less any positive movements enforced here?

How can you even be comfortable enough with the process to even care. If we the people wanted to make changes of the magnitude of some indicated provisions we would have to successfully amend the constitution, a much more difficult process that "passing agreements" (seeing that ratifying treaties might be a hassle so give it a pass 8th a way to go) and "fast track".

It is bullshit and bullshit compounded when as per the usual we see hundreds of huge corporations driving the bus and fully cognizant of the situation while the people must be in the dark.
A fierce belief in the corporate super citizen is implied in the entire process and just about next door to they being the citizens and us? Consumer surfs.
Bad government, bad process. Anti self determination.

[Omaha Steve]

25. Thanks for posting

K&R!

[daleanime]

26. K&R....

[AzDar]

28. K & R

[onecaliberal]

29. But but but

POTUS is awesome, USA USA USA USA!!!!

[upaloopa]

30. I got kicked out of the Barack Obama group

this weekend for questioning Obama's support for TPP
Seems like lot's of heads are stuck in the sand.

[sabrina 1]

34. Only demonstrating how clever those powerful people who run things in this country are.

They knew the entire 'left' in this country would oppose this disaster if a Republican tried to get it passed. The solution, get a Democrat to do it which will guarantee enough support from Democrats to make it more possible.

The system should now be obvious to anyone who has been watching it for a while.

Until everyone wakes up to that, this country is going deeper and deeper into a place there may be no turning back from.

[truedelphi]

49. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^n/t

[Faryn Balyncd]

72. And turning back on deals that cannot be changed without ananimous consent is indeed difficult.

From Den. Sanders 10 reasons to reject the TPP:

#10. The TPP has no expiration date, making it virtually impossible to repeal.

Once TPP is agreed to, it has no sunset date and could only be altered by a consensus of all of the countries that
agreed to it. . . . "



http://www.sanders.senate.gov/download/the-trans-pacific-trade-tpp-agreement-must-be-defeated?inline=file

[msongs]

37. congrats! non worshippers are not welcome there lol nt

[truedelphi]

51. To be on that group, a person must be in a swoon any time an attractive photo of the

Last edited Tue Jan 6, 2015, 05:28 PM - Edit history (1)

First Family makes it onto that forum.

Great looking family. Too bad about all the non-ending wars for profit that guy is sponsoring, with our Syrian-backed rebels helping to establish a way for Dick Cheney's energy companies to clean up in Syria. (Although it sure as heck ain't Malia's fault - I hear she actually questions her dad on his policies!)

[grahamhgreen]

64. I think the BOG are some kind of lobbying team.

[shireen]

31. Disturbing

Thanks for the links.

This sounds like something conservatives would also oppose. Does anyone know if it's being discussed at conservative discussion groups?

Also, if this trade deal is secret, how are we finding out about the contents? Is someone leaking it?

[sabrina 1]

36. Two ways, there have been leaks, through Wikileaks and recently they 'allowed' a few members of

Congress to see it after years of refusing to do so. We have heard from Sandy Levin on what is in it. His 'recommendations' only confirm the worst fears people have had about it.

[shireen]

39. thank you!

It sounds like such a betrayal.

[NorthCarolina]

84. The thing is, you can be against it in principle,

but when someone fans a huge stack of bills under your nose, suddenly it's importance becomes crystal clear.



Does TPP really look so bad now?

[msongs]

38. "in secret" - that sums it up nt

[Phlem]

44. Totally, and I would have to say that

being a cohesive Democratic Party would involve getting all conservative diatribe out. Meaning the 3rd way needs to either begone or placed where it belongs, in the Republican party. All they do is undermine progressive legislation.

[colsohlibgal]

45. The Big Dagger From The Neo Democrats

I hope we keep the light on this and I hope we keep Hillary's feet to the fire on crap like this. We need to try to shove her back left but at this point in time resistance may be futile. But not forever, critical mass will be reached at some point down the line.

[truedelphi]

46. The TPP would be dead in the water right now, if it was Jeb Bush in the WH.

But Obama gets a free pass as the lesser of two evils, etc.

Or as the savior and hero for far too many, who lacking any comprehension of the economy, have never understood how Obama oversaw the largest transfer of wealth from Main Street to Wall Street, since the days of the French nobility destroying the lives of commoners in France (1760 to 1782.)

[Phlem]

50. Spot on.

[liberal_at_heart]

60. +1

[Phlem]

48. To be honest

I don't know if Hillary is capable of taking the populist baton and running with it successfully.

[Hubert Flottz]

47. K&R

You are exactly right.

[Central Scruitinizer]

61. This issue is a big red alert.

I cannot see how one can be too shrill with dire warnings.

But what do we do when people we inform about this; twirl their finger next to their head muttering conspiracy theorist?

[grahamhgreen]

63. It's the end of democracy.

[whereisjustice]

66. a big K and R

[JDPriestly]

67. Coup is the right word.

The international trade courts are incompatible with our Constitution.

Utterly incompatible. The TPP will rob us of the sovereignty of our nation and of our right to self government. It really is a coup.

[Ramses]

68. Needs to be seen far and wide

The TPP is a giant shit sandwich for the 99% in America, and both Obama and Hillary support and are fighting for this right wing garbage. Shame on both of them and bring it up often and when she decides to run. Hillary supported and gave a big hug to War Criminal Henry Kissinger for christs sake. This country is in trouble.

[WillyT]

69. Huge K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[wildbilln864]

73. and a big K & R! n/t

[They_Live]

74. and another K&R

end economic sanctions against the working class!

[Joe Shlabotnik]

75. K&R

FYI it'll be just as bad if not much worse for Canada. And even if Harper gets dethroned by Trudeau; he's just another Neo-Lib, who will sign it too. Its bad for everyone, other than the 1% of each signatories countries.

[easychoice]

76. Representative Dave Reichert

Is the Shitbag that started the W.T.O. riots here in Seattle.Along with one of his fellow goons from the Washington State Patrol.No one was ever charged and Reichstag got a new job in congress.He also got a book deal about the Green River Killer.Which is an entire pack of lies.
If they were going to give this state an Enema They could stick the hose right down his throat.The Nazi S.O.B.

[Maedhros]

78. And to think the TPP was crafted by the next Democratic Presidential candidate

and is in the process of being hammered through by the current Democratic President.

I'm "Ready for Hillary" ... to quit politics.

[easychoice]

79. Yeah,she came in 3rd. behind an ambulance chaser last time.

She should move to Sleepy Hollow,then The Rockefellers wouldn't have to sent a chopper to fetch her.

[90-percent]

82. Elizabeth Warren money quote about TPP

"..........If transparency would lead to widespread public opposition to a trade agreement, then that trade agreement should not be the policy of the United States.”

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023055088

The Oligarchs that have captured our government and most of our Institutions do not have a good track record when they want our trust for something because they really know whats best for us all. And they want to protect our beautiful minds from all that readin' and thinkin' we proles would need to understand something so massive and well beyond our feeble intellectual abilities to comprehend and appreciate the benefits of.



Another quote I recall, roughly, is "we have to keep it a secret because if the public knew what was in it they would be against it." I think Warren said this after she had a conversation with one of the TPP negotiation participants.

-90% Jimmy