Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Here is Obama's "most transparent White House in history" for you: [View all]muriel_volestrangler
(106,169 posts)65. So you're calling Alan Grayson and Elizaeth Warren liars, are you?
The OP is clear - Grayson was shown an edited form of the current draft, and he's not allowed to discuss it with experts. Here's what Warren says:
I am deeply concerned about the transparency record of the US Trade Representative and with one ongoing trade agreement in particular -- the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
For months, the Trade Representative who negotiates on our behalf has been unwilling to provide any public access to the composite bracketed text relating to the negotiations. The composite bracketed text includes proposed language from the United States and also other countries, and it serves as the focal point for negotiations. The Trade Representative has allowed Members of Congress to access the text, and I appreciate that. But that is no substitute for public transparency.
I have heard the argument that transparency would undermine the Trade Representative's policy to complete the trade agreement because public opposition would be significant. In other words, if people knew what was going on, they would stop it. This argument is exactly backwards. 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.
I believe in transparency and democracy, and I think the U.S. Trade Representative should too.
I asked the President's nominee to be Trade Representative -- Michael Froman - three questions: First, would he commit to releasing the composite bracketed text? Or second, if not, would he commit to releasing just a scrubbed version of the bracketed text that made anonymous which country proposed which provision. (Note: Even the Bush Administration put out the scrubbed version during negotiations around the Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement.)
Third, I asked Mr. Froman if he would provide more transparency behind what information is made to the trade office's outside advisors. Currently, there are about 600 outside advisors that have access to sensitive information, and the roster includes a wide diversity of industry representatives and some labor and NGO representatives too. But there is no transparency around who gets what information and whether they all see the same things, and I think that's a real problem.
Mr. Froman's response was clear: No, no, no. He will not commit to make this information available so the public can track what is going on.
http://www.warren.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=164
For months, the Trade Representative who negotiates on our behalf has been unwilling to provide any public access to the composite bracketed text relating to the negotiations. The composite bracketed text includes proposed language from the United States and also other countries, and it serves as the focal point for negotiations. The Trade Representative has allowed Members of Congress to access the text, and I appreciate that. But that is no substitute for public transparency.
I have heard the argument that transparency would undermine the Trade Representative's policy to complete the trade agreement because public opposition would be significant. In other words, if people knew what was going on, they would stop it. This argument is exactly backwards. 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.
I believe in transparency and democracy, and I think the U.S. Trade Representative should too.
I asked the President's nominee to be Trade Representative -- Michael Froman - three questions: First, would he commit to releasing the composite bracketed text? Or second, if not, would he commit to releasing just a scrubbed version of the bracketed text that made anonymous which country proposed which provision. (Note: Even the Bush Administration put out the scrubbed version during negotiations around the Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement.)
Third, I asked Mr. Froman if he would provide more transparency behind what information is made to the trade office's outside advisors. Currently, there are about 600 outside advisors that have access to sensitive information, and the roster includes a wide diversity of industry representatives and some labor and NGO representatives too. But there is no transparency around who gets what information and whether they all see the same things, and I think that's a real problem.
Mr. Froman's response was clear: No, no, no. He will not commit to make this information available so the public can track what is going on.
http://www.warren.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=164
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
Recommendations
0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):
132 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
Here is Obama's "most transparent White House in history" for you: [View all]
brentspeak
Jun 2013
OP
What fun would that be? No, it's much more enjoyable to complain about being uninformed...
Blanks
Jun 2013
#11
I knew you wouldnt commit yourself. You guys never do unless you are certain
rhett o rick
Jun 2013
#47
2005, but these negotiations, from what's been leaked (the negotiations have been going on
cali
Jun 2013
#49
What I typed is quite similar to what you typed, don't you think? Not exactly the same,
bike man
Jun 2013
#26
Thanks for that link....I think you save a lot of "progressives", if they read the AVAILABLE(!!)....
George II
Jun 2013
#36
does that mean if anyone leaks details of tpp, they can be chrged with being an enemy of the
HiPointDem
Jun 2013
#4
As Ron Kirk, the chief negotiator, alluded to. If we knew what was in it we'd stop it.
pa28
Jun 2013
#7
I had to lol when I heard Obama say something about govt respecting the rights of its citizens.
Apophis
Jun 2013
#12
Our government is very handy at classifying anything that might not go well with the public.
rhett o rick
Jun 2013
#34
It's 'classified' because if the public knew what was in it, it wouldn't pass.
X_Digger
Jun 2013
#37
No doubt in my mind that Congress will pass it by a large majority. They're all in it together
forestpath
Jun 2013
#32
DemocracyNow! on the TPP "Leaked Doc Shows Obama Wants to Help Corporarations Avoid Regulations"
Catherina
Jun 2013
#38
I'm wondering how long it will be for DemocracyNow to get thrown under the bus by the worshippers.
L0oniX
Jul 2013
#94
So you're calling Alan Grayson and Elizaeth Warren liars, are you?
muriel_volestrangler
Jul 2013
#65
Grayson and Warren offered OPINIONS on the still-not-completed "agreement"...
George II
Jul 2013
#77
Restricted permanently or just while the agreement is still under negotiation?
George II
Jul 2013
#83
It is no secret that the Obama administration has been criticized by both sides.....
George II
Jul 2013
#84
Post #65 contains a quote from Elizabeth Warren. I hope she is trustworthy enough for you?
idwiyo
Jul 2013
#66
If you read the entire quote in post #65 you would know why you don't see those names.
idwiyo
Jul 2013
#72
So you didn't read the quote or you are calling Elizabeth Warren a lier. Which one is it?
idwiyo
Jul 2013
#91
That quote clearly explains why you don't see any names in it. Or why you don't see any names
idwiyo
Jul 2013
#108
What I read is quoted below, together with a link to definition of "corporate stakeholder"
idwiyo
Jul 2013
#110
I am looking forward to reading your apology to pa28! Now that you know where the 600 number came
idwiyo
Jul 2013
#115
I doubt my opponent would apologise, so please accept my apologies for their rude behaviour.
idwiyo
Jul 2013
#118
I knew it was very unlikely you would apologise. That's why I apologised for you. :)
idwiyo
Jul 2013
#124
There are some who want things to remain exactly as they are, despite the problems
Fire Walk With Me
Jul 2013
#106
Probably because of the sweeping climate change regulations Obama has demanded be inserted in it. nt
raouldukelives
Jul 2013
#89
Giving up some of our sovereignity to court rulings would be a good thing, IMO.
randome
Jul 2013
#97