After Getting Called Out, Elizabeth Warren Accuses Obama Of Deliberately Hiding Trade Details - Huff

[WillyT]

After Getting Called Out, Elizabeth Warren Accuses Obama Of Deliberately Hiding Trade Details
The Huffington Post | By Sam Levine
Posted: 04/22/2015 5:07 pm EDT Updated: 42 minutes ago


Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) accused President Barack Obama of hiding details of his trade deal because he knew Americans would object to them. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

<snip>

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called on President Barack Obama to make details of the trade pact he is negotiating public a day after Obama said that Warren and other critics were wrong on the facts of the deal.

The Obama administration has briefed members of Congress on the deal, called the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but has blocked members from publicly discussing specifics. Last month, an Obama administration official told The Huffington Post that the briefings on the deal were classified because they were sensitive and ongoing.

But on Wednesday, Warren accused the administration of deliberately hiding unpopular details from the public.

"The government doesn’t want you to read this massive new trade agreement. It’s top secret," Warren said in a statement on her website. "Why? Here’s the real answer people have given me: 'We can’t make this deal public because if the American people saw what was in it, they would be opposed to it.'"

"If the American people would be opposed to a trade agreement if they saw it, then that agreement should not become the law of the United States," Warren continued.

Warren also said that there were provisions in the deal that would allow companies to ship jobs overseas and weaken environmental or labor rules. The Massachusetts senator also said that Congress should have the ability to amend the deal to get rid of objectionable provisions -- something that Obama does not want it to do.

<snip>

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/22/elizabeth-warren-tpp_n_7120980.html

[Autumn]

1. Are you mad yet Liz?

Embrace the anger... and run!

[billhicks76]

13. What Happened To The Old Obama

The one who wanted transparency and an end to NSA spying? Did he just suddenly change, were those just campaign lies to get elected or is he under threat of either being JFK'd or publicly embarrassed? Wtf

[Autumn]

18. There was no old Obama

there was only candidate Obama and President Obama.

[BrotherIvan]

42. Yes

[Angry Dragon]

108. +1000

[Phlem]

53. Oh you mean the Obama that said

"I'm a New Democrat" during his acceptance speech?

That Obama, not mistaken for the Populist Obama on the campaign trail.

Hint:

New Democrat = Third Way = Answering to Bankers = Gives a shit about the Constituency until it involves what the Bankers want.

It's been completely predictable even up to our current situation.

*sigh*

Bill is Third Way and so is Hillary.

Fuck.

[billhicks76]

71. I Saw Some Of It

He was out front about Pakistan and drones. And NAFTA. He flip flopped on NSA weeks before the election in 2008. But there is so much more he deceived us about like transparency, no lobbyists, Wall St and the Drug War. It's not all due to obstructionism as he could at least take a vocal lead in opposition instead of downplaying everything until there's another Bush in the White House.

[BeanMusical]

72. +1

[sabrina 1]

74. You mean Candidate Obama?

I loved that guy. Where did he go?

[Joe Worker]

76. I think he believed the GOP

was going to welcome him with open arms (like Iraq) while he went about the business of dismantling the middle class and bailing out Wall Street. IMO

[arcane1]

106. Not voting. THAT will show them!

That very same corporate elite LOVES low voter turnout. You're on their side when you abstain from participating in your democracy.

[billhicks76]

110. I Always Vote

But I think you're on their side when you support electronic voting machines. Vote like Germany : Everyone auto registered, all paper ballot handcounted, votes are cast on a Sunday, anyone can watch all votes being counted and ample time is given to ensure registration disputes beforehand.

[ImaPolitico]

114. ***Elizabeth Warren is NOT telling the truth.***..article...

http://thedailybanter.com/2015/04/elizabeth-warren-is-not-telling-the-truth-about-the-trans-pacific-partnership-trade-deal/

[WillyT]

22. Funny You Should Say That...

I posted this yesterday: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026545741

Got poo-pooed...

[Autumn]

26. That would be priceless. I would love for that to happen

such poetic justice that would be I just recommended that OP. Don't know how I missed that

[WillyT]

27. Word !!!

[WillyT]

34. Oh... And Check Out The Front Page Of HuffPo While It's Still There (Top Story)

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

[Autumn]

39. .

[Oilwellian]

64. Ha!

My money's on Warren! LOL

[hedda_foil]

91. You mean this $tory?

[font size="7"][center]
RUBIO FAVORITE IN $HELDON $WEEP$TAKE$

[donnasgirl]

111. Boy did you get poo-pooed

But I still luv ya

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Maybe she's a Republican troll?

If she anonymously posted her positions on DU, she'd be called that - and much, much worse.

[BreakfastClub]

12. Well to be fair, she was a republican well into

her 40's. She believed the GOP was the "principled" party and liked their "conservative approach" to the economy and markets. Hmm. Yeah, not until the mid 1990's did she realize what was up...that concerns me. Can't help it. It just does. Once I found that out about her, I didn't feel the same. It's one thing to be raised republican and turn away from it as a young adult, but in middle age? Through Reagan?? No, I don't trust that.

[wolfie001]

17. Agreed!

Most of the anti-Unionism, declining Middle-Class, mistrust of Government were the result of Raygun. If you didn't see what he was doing, you were a bit blind IMHO. She seems to have gone 180 degrees the other way. I like that outlook but still........freaking Raygun?

[JonLP24]

19. Bankruptcy law

She doesn't have a background in economics or did specifically so it is understandable, I do I ran into people arguing myths all-the-time "especially the because of this they will be forced to raise their prices" variety as if the previous prices were coming from the goodness of their hearts but when you look. As an adviser specialized in bankruptcy law she was exposed to the shit big business gets away with & her record is very strong. Her recent Senate career she scored a 90 on her voting record as rated by ADA most recently & top 10 most liberal as rated by GovTrack (tracks a variety of behaviors but not voting) a little to the left of Bernie Sanders.

I'm generally suspicious of rhetoric -- especially on committees (are they really outraged or showboating?)

Obama actually said that if this was the 80's he'd be a "moderate Republican" -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/obama-revealed-a-moderate-republican/2011/04/25/AFPrGfkE_story.html WTF? This is 2015

This concerns me & don't justify it but since 99% politicians advocate for direct subsidies (they should stop) because of campaign contributions she still comes out as one of the best of the best but I'll still criticize her for it as well as praise her on moves I feel are correct.

Elizabeth Warren takes care of defense business back home

Elizabeth Warren’s standing as a liberal warrior immune to the influence of Big Business hasn’t stopped her from pushing the interests of major defense contractors back home.

Warren has fought to stop the Army from shifting funds away from a Massachusetts-built communications network to pay for unanticipated costs associated with the war in Afghanistan. She’s lobbied for problem-plagued General Dynamics-made tactical radios. And she’s pledged to protect Westover Air Reserve Base from the budget ax — all while saying she supports “targeted” cuts elsewhere.

Warren didn’t respond to questions as she walked to a vote in the Capitol, and an aide referred POLITICO to the senator’s spokeswoman, Lacey Rose, who also didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment. But the half-dozen industry insiders who were interviewed painted a picture of a senator who’s willing to advocate for local defense firms but has no relationship with the industry on a national level.

“I have seen the senator and her team take a very active role in defense matters in Massachusetts,” said Joseph Donovan, a Boston-based defense lobbyist with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough and a former aide to then-Gov. Mitt Romney. “I’ve been in roundtables that her office has organized with major defense contractors and small businesses.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/elizabeth-warren-defense-massachusetts-115157.html#ixzz3Y5OI4TUH

If she was running then I'd be suspicious of an undercover Reagan Republican but since she isn't I'm inclined to trust her more & would support a candidacy. Hypothetically if both Warren & Bernie Sanders were in a primary I'd support Sanders because of his experience & record but support Warren over practically any other name you can throw out there.

[JDPriestly]

25. Read her book. She explains why she changed her mind.

She did research that corrected the falsehoods she had assumed.

Read her book.

[Maedhros]

33. I'm much more interested in what politicians are DOING RIGHT NOW

than in what they believed 15-20 years ago.

Warren is doing the right thing, right now, so I will praise her efforts and ask:

If Hillary is such "progressive fighter" then why isn't Hillary the one taking on this fight?

[Omaha Steve]

68. Republicans love the TPP

K&R!

OS

[Skittles]

112. I agree

I'm very suspicious of people who take a long time to see the f***ing obvious

[Oilwellian]

65. I was called a ratfucker today

Really lovely bunch, those adoring Hillary fans.

[MannyGoldstein]

66. Only ratfuckers like us could possibly be to the left

of our President, and Our Next President.

[Roy Rolling]

4. Oh no he di'nt !

I know he is trying to sell the crummy deal, but he really stepped in it by challenging Elizabeth Warren. She does her homework BEFORE she speaks.

[Enthusiast]

5. Is the President trying to anger us? He knows we love Elizabeth.

Elizabeth has ever right to condemn the TPP. The American people do not want another damn trade deal and the President knows it.

[JDPriestly]

28. I wonder whether Obama has read the text of the proposed deal or

just some summary of it.

He has made a lot of vague statements about how good it is and what it will do. But his statements lack the kind of details that indicate veracity and a thorough knowledge of the agreement.

He is speaking in sound bites about the trade agreement.

That is not a good sign.

[WillyT]

50. THAT... Is My Greatest Fear...

He delegates to some people he trusts, and doesn't even know what the problems with TPP are.

I remember Cenk Uyger of TYT going back for a meeting in Washington D.C. And telling a story, I think it might have been with Al Franken and/or his staff, about some bill dealing with Wall Street.

And those Congress-Critters that actually read the bill, found something they did not like.

They directed staff to remove it from the bill, and were assured it would be.

Yet EVERYTIME... after many rewrites, the objectionable rule had be re-inserted... by staff.

Not his staff, but by others.

[Enthusiast]

85. Bad sign. He's playing dumb again. I've seen this act before.

[hedda_foil]

92. I doubt that he's read the text.

Maybe he's asked staff for answers to Warren's questions/statements but they'd naturally go to the experts ... the USTR itself ... for the answers. I'm afraid it's possible that even his aides haven't actually read the damn thing.

[99Forever]

6. I thought Obama was smarter than to try to take on Senator Warren.

She'd clean his clock in any honest economics debate and she's no slouch at foreign policy either.

Take him to school, Liz!

[hifiguy]

7. BAD move, calling out Senator Warren.

She can actually get media attention. One of the only REAL Democrats in Congress who can.

Go, Senator Warren!!!

[Jakes Progress]

8. So Obama thinks Warren is wrong and jeb is right.

He disagrees with Bernie, but sides with orrin.

He thinks liberals and unions are full of it, but thinks BP and the kochs know what is best for the country.

Tell us again how he's on our side.

[RiverLover]

23. +1!

Very good points.

[JDPriestly]

30. Excellent. Jakes Progress.

[Plucketeer]

38. Right on, Jakes! nt

[LiberalElite]

89. Why, why WHY.. YOU'RE

no better than Rush Limbaugh!

[Zorra]

9. Is there any way to legally conscript her into the Presidency? nt

[NYC_SKP]

96. It's not hard to imagine her stepping up.

Imagine that moment, that historic moment and her appeal to the masses.

It would be then end of any hope that any Republican would be stepping into the whitehouse any time soon.

And we'd get congress back in short order, too.

[LondonReign2]

105. Unfortunately for us, she is too smart to want to run IMO

I think that is what is taking Bernie so long to decide as well.

[840high]

10. I believe her.

[LiberalArkie]

11. Obama has to get the trade deal done so he can get all the speaking gigs and book deals

like the guy who did the NAFTA deal. It's funny that if you do something for a large corporation they don't mind paying $100,000 for a speaking gig.

[appalachiablue]

43. There does seem to be a history of that-

[NanceGreggs]

49. What an incredibly astute observation.

It should seem blatantly obvious to everyone that despite having been the first black president - a man who rose from community organizer to POTUS against all odds, a man who managed to establish Obamacare, a man who has championed the rights of gays/lesbians in the face of fierce opposition, plus all of his other accomplishments - Obama would need to "get a trade deal done" in order to get speaking gigs and book deals post-presidency.

Without the TPP, Obama would surely leave office as a forgotten man - roaming the streets with a "Will write a book for food" sign slung around his neck.

In case you haven't noticed, Obama already has two best-sellers under his belt, and his first post-POTUS memoire will undoubtedly garner guarantees of multi-million dollar advances from every book publisher in the country.

The idea that you think Obama would be begging on the streets for high-paying speaking engagements is as ludicrous as it is politically naive. And given that $100,000 per is chump change on the lecture circuit, that reference alone confirms your naivete.

"Obama has to get the trade deal done so he can get all the speaking gigs and book deals."

Yeah, right. Without the "trade deal" being done, Obama would never, ever, in a million years be offered a book deal or a speaking engagement. He'd just be another contestant on "Dancing with the Stars", barely remembered as being a two-term president of the United States.

[2banon]

55. ;

[NanceGreggs]

59. Maybe I can ask the DU Admins ...

... if I can post a fundraiser for poor Obama when he leaves office.

I hate to think of him being financially destitute, what with all those book deals and speaking engagements that will only materialize if the TPP goes through.

[MannyGoldstein]

75. The Clintons were dead broke when leaving office

Last edited Thu Apr 23, 2015, 07:21 AM - Edit history (1)

A cautionary tale that perhaps our President is taking to heart?

[NanceGreggs]

79. You never disappoint, Manny.

What your replies lack in substance, they always make up for in irrelevance.

[MannyGoldstein]

88. A personal attack from you, in lieu of facts.

Were they not dead broke upon leaving the White House?

[NanceGreggs]

99. It wasn't an attack, Manny.

It was merely an observation.

[MannyGoldstein]

109. Doubling down on insults instead of answering a simple question.

Fascinating.

[phleshdef]

121. Obama doesn't need any deals to get that. He will get those offers regardless.

I'm not crazy about this TPP shit, but don't just make stuff up.

[City Lights]

14. Good for her!

You go, Elizabeth!

[YOHABLO]

15. She's not the only politician that's calling for transparency on this ''deal''.

Why the secrecy Obama? If there's anyone we can't trust, it's Obama. Let's not forget Hillary was a Republican in the past as well. I think Elizabeth Warren is a conservative, but more of a fiscal conservative..that has a conscience.

[Joe Worker]

78. She has wealth

but she also has roots and a conscience. She is an educator and God knows we need an educator with the cess pool we have to choose from.

[90-percent]

16. Political courage

And the courage of her principles, to stand for what's fair and just for the vast majority. Corporations are going full blown medival on our asses and America knows a full blown OLIGARCHY when they see it.

This has historic parallels in history when FDR was the right man at the right time, Churchill alone led his country to fight totalitarianism, and Truman's politically bold but principled and correct decision to fire MacArthur, before he could attack Russia with nuclear weapons.

No three dimensional chess obtuse incoherent skirting the eleahant in the room for her!

GIVE THEM HELL ELIZABETH!

-90% Jimmy


and thnks to Grayson, Bernie, and Sherrod and maybe a few others still interested in preserving our democracy.

[appalachiablue]

46. +10 The great leaders for sure, in dangerous times-

[treestar]

84. That would only be so if she did the needed

whistleblowing here. Reveal the secrets.

[bvar22]

101. Reveal the Secrets?

You KNOW what happens to Whistle Blowers in the Obama Administration.

[Octafish]

20. Top Secret trade agreement means Top Secret beneficiaries.

Been a long time since anyone stood up to those benefit from secret government.

Hope you run for President, Sen. Warren.

[Jackpine Radical]

21. The tenor of this comment amazes me more than the substantive points.

The points are dead-on, but we've known for a bit where she stands.

But she goes on to rail about Obama deliberately concealing things from the public purely because he knows they would not like them if they found out.

Before that moment, it was just a little spat on policy between them. But Liz just put ten bucks in the nickel-dime poker pot when she called Obama out & used that "deliberate" word where, when and as she did.

Shush a bit, everyone.

There will momentarily be the sound of another shoe dropping.

[WillyT]

24. Great Analysis...

[Jackpine Radical]

29. Thanks Willy.

And thanks for the story.

[WillyT]

31. Anytime...

[KoKo]

44. ...!

[2banon]

56. Bingo! Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding.

[RiverLover]

32. DURec for the great OP & some truly spectacular replies!!

Here's to the People, and to Liz for Standing Up for all of US!!!

Lets all hope the purchased hearts & minds in congress can be swayed, because once this deal goes through, the only way it can be altered is if ALL countries sign off on the changes.

So if it sucks, we are screwed. If it didn't suck, there would be no reason to hide it from public view. Also, the AFL-CIO would be for it, not fighting like mad against it.

AFL-CIO's Trumka: USTR Told Us Murder Isn't A Violation Under U.S. Trade Deals
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/22/fast-track-trade_n_7113412.html

U.S. Chamber, AFL-CIO clash at Senate hearing over Obama’s free trade push
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/21/u-s-chamber-afl-cio-clash-at-senate-hearing-over-obamas-free-trade-push/

AFL-CIO head Richard Trumka explains why labor unions hate Obama’s trade deal
http://www.vox.com/2015/4/20/8445991/afl-cio-tpp-obama-trumka

The people FOR this deal are just showing their stripes.

[WillyT]

35. Thank You For Those...

[RiverLover]

36. With pleasure!

[nationalize the fed]

37. r/k

...Warren encountered significant opposition from business interests. In August 2012, Rob Engstrom, political director for the United States Chamber of Commerce, claimed that "no other candidate in 2012 represents a greater threat to free enterprise than Professor Warren."

In 2009, the Boston Globe named her the Bostonian of the Year, and the Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts honored her with the Lelia J. Robinson Award. She was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2009, 2010, and 2015.

...The National Law Journal repeatedly has named Warren as one of the Fifty Most Influential Women Attorneys in America, and in 2010 it honored her as one of the 40 most influential attorneys of the decade. In 2011, Elizabeth Warren was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In January 2012, Warren was named a "Top-20 U.S. Progressive" by the New Statesman, a magazine based in the United Kingdom.

[Plucketeer]

40. Warren's got a GREAT MIND

Last edited Thu Apr 23, 2015, 10:03 PM - Edit history (1)

and I LOVE how freely she speaks it. SO refreshing to hear straight talk from the halls of Congress!

[Generic Brad]

118. That does not mean she is correct 100% of the time

Great mind or not - I cannot automatically accept that she is right every time she grandstands in front of a camera.

[Plucketeer]

119. No one's correct EVERY time

But accusing her of "grandstanding" when she see's a camera - that's not fair. I'd MUCH RATHER see her self-assured and assertive style than the namby-pamby bozozentatives who have to carefully tip-toe so's not to ire their corporate puppeteers.

[Generic Brad]

122. I wasn't accusing. I was just observing.

She seems to inspire many contributors on DU, and I am glad she fires so many of us here up. And I am not discounting her importance to so many here or the validity of most of what she says. I find some of her ideas great. Some - not so great.

However, hardly a day goes by when she is not making headlines by calling out an individual or an industry on camera. She seems to have a larger media presence than Hillary Clinton. I can't think of one senator not a presidential candidate who is on camera more than her. Personally, I think she would be more effective in targeted doses.

[Bradical79]

41. It's tough to be a representative democracy

when our chief executive bars our elected representatives from discussing details of a trade deal. This is something that effects us all directly. We should be allowed to inform ourselves of something of this importance.

[Hoyt]

45. But by some miracle, Warren knows all those "secrets."

[Jackpine Radical]

47. When you come up with solid evidence of a few instances

in which Liz went out on a limb in public view like that & turned out to be wrong, you can maybe use this tone in dismissing her.

[Jackpine Radical]

61. Yes indeed. She "miraculously" read the goddam document.

Hooda thunkit? The woman is literate!

In case you missed it, she told Rachel that all Senators had the opportunity to read it, but couldn't talk about it.

[Hoyt]

63. But it's secret. Not. She still didn't comprehend it or the reasons for it.

[Nevernose]

123. Is your reply a joke?

I don't get it. She's a fairly bright woman; I'm pretty sure her reading comprehension is good.

[Hoyt]

124. Then she's proposing spreading misinformation for personal gain.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

69. Well, duh! nt

[treestar]

83. and she should reveal them

if so.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

48. No fear in speaking her mind; what distinguishes Elizabeth from pretend progressives. She rocks!

[djean111]

51. Just to see if it is Just Us, I tried Googling TPP protest Japan - yep, protests in

Japan. And Peru. And Vietnam. Stopped looking. And, of course, there are protests about the TTIP in the EU.

NOT just us. And - is the TPP super sekrit in all other countries?
Anyway, this is not just something that a few Democrats are doing to embarrass Obama. Other countries have protesters too.

[WillyT]

52. Thank You For That !!!

[blkmusclmachine]

54. http://jarkesypolitical.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ObamaShhh4-e1358519562147.jpg

[annabanana]

57. k&r . . . n/t required

[midnight]

58. kick

[morningfog]

60. She is handling this masterfully.

[AzDar]

62. K & R

[Oilwellian]

67. I'm so glad she's on our side

The Steelworkers had a little anti Fast Track rally

If you go to their YouTube page, you'll see a lot of Democrats speaking out against it.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6uVehl-pgxTOeDGyervQ0A

[liberal_at_heart]

70. K&R

[BeanMusical]

73. Kick and R.

[underahedgerow]

77. Oh that Sneaky Obama!! Suddenly, after THIS career, He's TURN COAT, a BETRAYER & now he's

Last edited Thu Apr 23, 2015, 03:03 AM - Edit history (1)

conspiring with the enemy to defraud and bring EEEEEEEEEEVUL down on the people of the USA!

That's it, he's gone rogue, he's done the deed, he's turned REE PUB LEEEE CAN!!!!

Mmm hmm.

Just wait, there's nothing to hide, and no ill to be had. As always and once again.

[WillyT]

80. Um... What ???

[BigBearJohn]

81. Incredibility is often the best invisibility

[cali]

86. you are woefully uninformed

[treestar]

82. Doesn't she have a duty to whistle blow?

A la Eddie Snowden? If she knows, why doesn't she simply make the details public?

[TheKentuckian]

87. Damn that Warren why is she not an Uber hacker and can get those read only classified documents out

of their secured location under strict oversight?

Stupid and utterly dishonest "demand" here yet you think it is a bit of cleverness repeating it over and over and it is silly as can be.

If she was so inclined, how do you think she could do it? If you were inclined and had her level of access would you have the capacity? Are you under some impression that most people could go in and come out with the documentation?

Why do you insist Warren violate security laws and has to either run or go to prison?

You are sarting to sound like tales from under the bridge on this ridiculous angle you've elected to push.

[treestar]

93. Because heroes do that.

What I've been told on DU for quite some time now.

[TheKentuckian]

120. If she wanted to how would she? If you had the access and inclination would you be able to do it?

If so are these abilities general skills that any reasonably competent layman is expected to be able to have or is your expectation of a Senator to be an expert in information espionage?

I guess double O super agent Hillary could do it in a jiffy with the same level of access is your story?

Do continue though, eventually maybe you'll share something that doesn't remind one of an imaginative but confused AM radio caller that causes the host to stammer before having to wink and nod to while they also reel them in.

[stillwaiting]

90. I have no doubt, at all, that you would love for her to do that.

It certainly would take care of that difficult woman from Massachusetts wouldn't it?

The full force of the system would come down on her with glee, she would be discredited thoughout ALL MSM, ridiculed, charges brought against her, and ultimately would lose her seat.

You'd love it, no doubt.

Stop saying she should whistle blow. It's ridiculous. It's classified and Top Secret.

[treestar]

94. What does it have to do with me or what I would like?

I am only asking you to be consistent. If she were a real hero, she would do it, like Eddie Snowden did.

He's the one who has statutes of him, because he's the hero. EW is just another sellout corporatist.

[stillwaiting]

95. Fucking rubbish. And that IS the response this deserves. nt

[SoapBox]

97. Dear President Obama...

Don't create that giant "sucking sound"!

[blackspade]

98. It's so refreshing to see a senator stand up to corporate interests.

[november3rd]

100. Why the U.S. Can't Be a Democracy And An Empire

If we have to cater to multinational corporations and foreign governments, then we're going to have to enact policies like this one, without any knowledge or input from the American people or our representatives.

If a large trade agreement is too important to bear the scrutiny of transparent legislative processes, then that trade agreement is undemocratic, by definition, and will curtail our democratic institutions and processes if it is enacted.

Besides the marriage of banks, multinational corporations, and government, the deal also binds the Pentagon with the same fascia by rendering their taxpayer funded security services essential to the flourishing of international commerce, and the protection of the multinationals' assets in foreign countries. The deal will marry our economy to a complex system requiring vast international compliance to work. If the multinationals are bound together with our government and military in a giant bundle, it will constitute a goliath beside the tiny nation states whose governments seek to defend their own peoples' interests.

It will be easy for the fascists to crush independence in each little country, one by one.

[realFedUp]

107. Let us read it

I agree w Thom Hartman and E Warren.

[ImaPolitico]

113. I trust...

President Obama over Eliz Warren. She should just come out and tell us, We the People.

[red dog 1]

115. K&R...Thanks for posting, WillyT

If Obama rams the TPP through Congress without first allowing adequate debate, he will split the Democratic Party.

I'm sure the Republicans would love that!

[WillyT]

116. You Are Quite Welcome !!!

[woo me with science]

117. K&R