General Discussion

DirkGently

(12,151 posts)

7. It's not secret, but we're not talking about it.

Sat Apr 25, 2015, 11:59 AM

Apr 2015

"Go read the kajillion-page agreement" doesn't really track when all the arguments to approve it boil down to "Shut up and get out of the way."

This is one of those moments where our leaders sound like pod people. Suddenly angry and terse weirdly infuriated that the actual constituency of their office has popped its collective head up and asked,

"What's going on here?"

It is the biggest of red flags when monied interests uniformly want something gigantic, done quickly, with a minimum of discussion. That is not a scenario that leads to benefits for the common good. People working for the common good invite discussion. Tout key features of the proposal in specific terms. Engage in debate.

This is a screw job, period, or it wouldn't be handled this way.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

67 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Charles Pierce: TPP approval process 'an exercise in kabuki democracy' [View all] bigtree Apr 2015 OP

What were/are the labor and environmental standards in these countries before? JaneyVee Apr 2015 #1

fantastic bigtree Apr 2015 #3

+1 Enthusiast Apr 2015 #10

I believe we should keep pushing for better labor/enviro standards. JaneyVee Apr 2015 #13

TPP has two primary goals: hifiguy Apr 2015 #22

I don't think opponents of this trade pact endorse 'giving up' bigtree Apr 2015 #26

+10 million!!!! This is a textbook case of what we'll find happening riderinthestorm Apr 2015 #43

How is the TPP going to do that? For all countries involved? n/t cui bono Apr 2015 #46

it would be if enforceable cali Apr 2015 #5

you asked a question. you got responses. so what do you think? cali Apr 2015 #9

Here's what I think: JaneyVee Apr 2015 #15

insanity is doing the same thing over and over in the hope cali Apr 2015 #17

I agree, there has to be a better way, and I'm all for stricter enforcement. JaneyVee Apr 2015 #28

Australia, Canada and Japan have zero labor and environmental standards????? fasttense Apr 2015 #41

Japan does, indeed, have strict labor standards Art_from_Ark Apr 2015 #61

I thought so. fasttense Apr 2015 #66

First of all that would be good if it actually happened. But if any of these so-called "Free-Trade" rhett o rick Apr 2015 #44

It's the same communist government in Vietnam. Jesus Malverde Apr 2015 #62

under the bus you go, Charlie cali Apr 2015 #2

Hyperbole. JaneyVee Apr 2015 #14

sure. employed to make a valid point cali Apr 2015 #25

By who? I absolutely love Pierce. JaneyVee Apr 2015 #27

He'll need a job someday. kentuck Apr 2015 #4

He sees how lavishly the Clintons were compensated for the services hifiguy Apr 2015 #18

+1 Well said. BeanMusical Apr 2015 #36

He finally comes out swinging, and it's against his own Party. SMC22307 Apr 2015 #6

I am at the same place on this. sybylla Apr 2015 #34

Agree with everything you said. SMC22307 Apr 2015 #40

Exactly. Why get his back up now?? Over TPP? Weird, indeed. Nay Apr 2015 #49

This is the Big Tuna. appalachiablue Apr 2015 #54

It's not secret, but we're not talking about it. DirkGently Apr 2015 #7

"This is a screw job, period, or it wouldn't be handled this way." SusanCalvin Apr 2015 #12

"... want something gigantic, done quickly, with a minimum of discussion ... ". I have seen this GoneFishin Apr 2015 #20

Seems like we all know this pattern, DirkGently Apr 2015 #23

Yep. Disaster capitalism salib Apr 2015 #57

Seems President Obama's only averse to ad hominem attacks from the left. nt truebluegreen Apr 2015 #8

K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast Apr 2015 #11

The President is lying his ass off about TPP. hifiguy Apr 2015 #16

+1. He sounds desperate. GoneFishin Apr 2015 #21

K & R AzDar Apr 2015 #19

Kick. GoneFishin Apr 2015 #24

Charlie Pierce and the Rude Pundit are my favorite reads! ybbor Apr 2015 #29

I have a suggestion for anyone who uses the word "kabuki" to describe politics: Orrex Apr 2015 #30

meh. The art of song and dance bigtree Apr 2015 #33

"Kabuki" Depaysement Apr 2015 #35

Interesting tidbit Fairgo Apr 2015 #51

My "gutter-minded" brain read that as a different Japanese word MNBrewer Apr 2015 #64

"it has swallowed enough snake oil to gag a python" MannyGoldstein Apr 2015 #31

Indeed. BeanMusical Apr 2015 #37

Even if it looks good on paper, moondust Apr 2015 #32

Kick and R. BeanMusical Apr 2015 #38

I can only hope he keeps "pushing back hard". pa28 Apr 2015 #39

"big clanging brass ones" indeed! k&r polichick Apr 2015 #42

Yes, the TPP is secret. cui bono Apr 2015 #45

Remember when Obama said he was "against" Citizens United??? blkmusclmachine Apr 2015 #47

K n R for whole thread. Duppers Apr 2015 #48

a handful of people(worldwide) decide this . why is that? quadrature Apr 2015 #50

Love Charlie Pierce, tells it like it is. Please sign the petition..link Fla Dem Apr 2015 #52

same shit he was selling during the strong-arming of progressives ibegurpard Apr 2015 #53

Bill Clinton gets a presidential pension sulphurdunn Apr 2015 #55

K&R... elzenmahn Apr 2015 #56

thank you bigtree Skittles Apr 2015 #58

well, technically it's noh theater, but-- MisterP Apr 2015 #59

Right. No plot, no taste, no talent. n/t eridani Apr 2015 #60

pierce has been pretty consistent, but we got to this point by letting Obama get away with a lot Doctor_J Apr 2015 #63

K&R It ain't complicated. It is history, it is our future. raouldukelives Apr 2015 #65

Just sent this to my Senators uknotes Apr 2015 #67