General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Obama talks TPP on Hardball. Thoughts? [View all]Sancho
(9,070 posts)He said that the US could not compete for low-wage manufacturing: "that ship has sailed", so the US needs to set up for service jobs and things we do best (technology, energy, etc.). I don't like that logic at all!
That seems to be a Chamber of Commerce argument. Why not increase wages in the US? Make it much harder to take money overseas - and get our middle class manufacturing paying better because the money stays home.
He didn't mention investment in infrastructure so that the US is more competitive for manufacturing jobs compared to countries without the modern infrastructure.
He didn't say much about labor unions and demanding a TPP opening the door for international organizing.
He didn't include the loss of government jobs, raiding of pension funds (sometimes by taking companies international AKA Romney),
In short, I think Obama's a good speaker, but in this case he is either hoodwinked by the wall street guys or else he is wrong in his thinking. I think Obama has a good understanding of the legal process, but his background and experience with economics is depending on advice. He is getting bad advice most likely.
Getting a deal so that we can beat China is a fine goal, but getting a bad deal is also a problem. Maybe he needs to have a different team negotiating the TPP.
At this point, I really think the TPP might be stopped. The only reason Obama was on TV is because he realizes that the TPP is DOA. Otherwise, he wouldn't have done the interview.