General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Mark Fiore is very cross about TPP transparency. This one's a little painful to watch. [View all]Evar
(44 posts)Here are a couple of basic questions that no one, including Fiore, have bothered to address in the rush to judgment en masse against the TPP. Why would the president lie about the TPP, since he's spent the last 6 1/2 years trying to rebuild the American economy and bolster small businesses (which make the bulk of our exported products) and the middle class? Since when is President Obama the enemy? The call for complete transparency while the TPP is being crafted is a foolish notion, impractical in today's world, given the political climate and international competition. Each country has its own priorities and requirements, and they do not want those facts disclosed to all the other nations at this point. It weakens the bargaining process. Warren knows that. She, and the rest of the congress have been briefed, and they have access to the TPP in full. They're the proper group to review the TPP, because they were elected to advise and consent on the business of this nation. We the people have a stake in this, but we're not informed enough to understand the complexities. We have to trust our lawmakers to do that. The outrage about secrecy that's been fostered by progressives in disingenuous and unfounded. It's complete bunk, for the obvious reasons I mentioned, but it makes for sensational headlines in every blog. The other drum progressives are beating is that the TPP is another NAFTA. There are absolutely no facts to verify that assertion, but that hasn't stopped anyone from ranting and raving about it. I've been an ardent liberal my entire long life. I trust but verify. I question why Warren, whom I admire very much, is creating a false narrative with an agreement that has the potential to move America forward dramatically. Reducing our trade deficit, requiring needed environmental protections, leveling the international playing field for American workers while requiring sanctions and enforcement guarantees against nations that break the rules--all of this while expanding our trading potential is America's stake in the future. That is what the TPP is all about. The future.