Charles Pierce: TPP approval process 'an exercise in kabuki democracy'

[uknotes]

67. Just sent this to my Senators

A recent article called the TPP debate "Kabuki Democracy" ... it's that at least, and probably institutionalized crony capitalism that entrenches massive corporate economic distortions ...

Consider:

I CANNOT READ IT, others cannot report on it, BUT corporate lobbyists CAN and do and have been part of the negotiating process for years. Who is my representative in the process? Surely "We the people" are supposed to be in charge ?!?

Take an example like PATENTS, which were originated to allow the small inventor to compete with big guys. Now they are owned by massive corporations who use their ROYAL WARRANTS to MONOPOLIZE, TROLL and colonize the new worlds. (Think 16th Century Europe).

Further, inventors are required to turn these PATENTS over to corporations through employment and subcontractor contracts. So education, invention turn into work for hire, labor arbitrage and restricted future employment opportunities. There is NO RETURN to the SMALL INVENTOR who really drives INNOVATION ...

I suspect the TPP will enshrine this crony distorted Patent system permanently into International Property Law ...

BUT who really knows in this Kabuki democracy? Fast track is simply pretending we have any influence on a barrel going over Niagara Falls once it's in the maelstrom !!!

Clean up this process and let's know what is going on

Your constituent, ...