Why Do You Think President Obama Supports The TPP?

[Jasana]

113. How about a real critique of the TPP?

You can start with EFF here: https://www.eff.org/issues/tpp

or you can watch Amy Goodman's Democracy Now program or you could just read my summary of that program in a letter I wrote to Senator Warren...

Subject: Trade
Re: Trans Pacific Partnership
Date: 10/05/13

I would like to talk to you about the TPP; a “Trade Agreement” which is being negotiated in secret and that President Obama would like to sign at the end of this year. The secrecy around this document is unprecedented. Senator Alan Grayson is one of the few who has seen it and he said, "Having seen what I've seen, I would characterize this as a gross abrogation of American sovereignty... But I'm not allowed to tell you why!"

Amy Goodman from Democracy Now has called it the “Corporate Trojan Horse” and Lori Wallach, Director of Public Citizens Global Trade Watch, has said the TPP would “handcuff” both state and Federal government. Those who have leaked information about the TPP have alleged that it would limit:

1) Food safety (We'd be forced to import food that we know from the few inspections conducted would be dangerous to our health.)
2) Financial regulations
3) Environmental standards
4) Energy and climate policy (For instance, we wouldn't be able to initiate local bans on fracking.)

The TPP supposedly has a binding provision that would ensure the conformity of laws, regulations and procedures which would be privately enforceable by foreign corporations. Corporations could indirectly sue governments, not through the court system, but through special “tribunals” where three corporate attorneys can act as “judges” who are empowered to give “unlimited damages” from us (the taxpayers) for any government action that undermines investors future profits. The TPP would establish new corporate powers such as:

1) Investor privileges that promote job out-sourcing
2) A ban on local procurements allowing corporations to take out tax dollars and instead of investing it our economy, sending money off-shore.
3) New rights to natural resources (mining, gas, oil) without approval
4) Censoring the Internet through backdoor copyright protection. (The technical community is calling this provision “Son of SOPA” and Congress was already forced to vote SOPA down.)

Congress has exclusive constitutional authority over trade but it was only June of this year that some were even allowed to see the draft but they had to throw their staff out, they were not allowed to take notes and they can't even talk about what they saw. I read on Huffington Post that you “sent a letter to Michael Froman, Obama's nominee to head USTR, asking the agency to release negotiation documents to the public.” I hope that's true. The American people have a right to know what's in this so called “Trade Agreement” so we can debate it.

This is an issue that might appeal to the rightwing. After all, many of their constituents are always howling about how the United Nations may take over the U.S. They might find this even worse. I think if we could pull this document into the light of day, it might be possible to get some help from Republican Senators and perhaps you should consider that strategy.

I would appreciate a reply to this letter from either yourself or a staffer. I would like to know your thoughts on this matter and where you plan to go with this. Stick to your guns. You're doing a fantastic job against difficult odds. I wish you the best and I'm honored to have you as my Senator.