The more you know about the odious Trans-Pacific Partnership, the less you’ll like it

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/14/the-more-you-know-about-the-odious-trans-pacific-partnership-the-less-youll-like-it/

The more you know about the odious Trans-Pacific Partnership, the less you’ll like it
By Dan Gillmor, The Guardian
Thursday, November 14, 2013 7:35 EST

Among the many betrayals of the Obama administration is its overall treatment of what many people refer to as “intellectual property” – the idea that ideas themselves and digital goods and services are exactly like physical property, and that therefore the law should treat them the same way. This corporatist stance defies both reality and the American Constitution, which expressly called for creators to have rights for limited periods, the goal of which was to promote inventive progress and the arts.

In the years 2007 and 2008, candidate Obama indicated that he’d take a more nuanced view than the absolutist one from Hollywood and other interests that work relentlessly for total control over this increasingly vital part of our economy and lives. But no clearer demonstration of the real White House view is offered than a just-leaked draft of an international treaty that would, as many had feared, create draconian new rights for corporate “owners” and mean vastly fewer rights for the rest of us.

I’m talking about the appalling Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, a partial draft of which WikiLeaks has just released. This treaty has been negotiated in secret meetings dominated by governments and corporations. You and I have been systematically excluded, and once you learn what they’re doing, you can see why.

The outsiders who understand TPP best aren’t surprised. That is, the draft “confirms fears that the negotiating parties are prepared to expand the reach of intellectual property rights, and shrink consumer rights and safeguards,” writes James Love a longtime watcher of this process.

[upi402]

1. I fought "Democrats" during NAFTA

..and they have not gone away. I want my party back.

Hillary touted for NAFTA by the way-

and sat on the board of WalMart.