General Discussion

cprise

(8,445 posts)

104. Does a climate accord matter when FTAs allow sidestepping

Tue Apr 5, 2016, 03:02 PM

Apr 2016

(actually, nullification) of both environmental and labor laws? FTAs are the 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card that's handed to defendants under the table as the show trial commences.

I will grant that Obama has had some international successes, but at the same time has done far more damage throughout the Middle East, Latin America and elsewhere. We are at war in Syria, Libya and Yemen now -- in addition to our older conflicts. Ukraine has turned into a proxy war with Russia. In Haiti and Honduras, the Obama administration has sided with coups against democratically elected governments. Given his track record, I'd say Obama needs Cuba far more than Cuba needs the US.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

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

134 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Sorry to say this but I feel Obama's strong promotion of the TPP [View all] BigBearJohn Apr 2016 OP

Of course, sure. Negate his amazing accomplishments because one thing you disagree with. Jackie Wilson Said Apr 2016 #1

History will tell. BigBearJohn Apr 2016 #3

Trade deals basically hijack democracy Baobab Apr 2016 #110

This message was self-deleted by its author Baobab Apr 2016 #111

What achievements? Avalon Sparks Apr 2016 #18

the bar is submerged there AgerolanAmerican Apr 2016 #27

His amazing achievements Kall Apr 2016 #50

Sadly, you are correct. dchill Apr 2016 #51

ACA is his _only_ achievement. FTAs mean his work on labor and environment cprise Apr 2016 #74

How about the International Climate Accord Herman4747 Apr 2016 #101

Does a climate accord matter when FTAs allow sidestepping cprise Apr 2016 #104

Obama also deserves credit for the stimulus. Jim Lane Apr 2016 #121

Perhaps, but that is taking credit for throwing money at a robber cprise Apr 2016 #122

While negotiating Obama Care, Obama met with the big drug companies in secret.... raindaddy Apr 2016 #78

apparently you haven't grasped what TPP actually does Ferd Berfel Apr 2016 #23

It's only a matter of time that US corps sue US for lost profits eniwetok Apr 2016 #39

The Canadian oil company is already suing us under the provisions of NAFTA. PatrickforO Apr 2016 #44

A Canadian Co with deep ties to the Koch Bros - Link here Ferd Berfel Apr 2016 #58

Obama was the Judas Goat. DJ13 Apr 2016 #81

Not having a job would be very bad for people, wendylaroux Apr 2016 #29

Well, TPP is really, really bad. Have you read it? PatrickforO Apr 2016 #41

Yes...perfectly stated! Avalon Sparks Apr 2016 #84

Don't expect a response. He had the duty to get the number one response slot, drop a turd rhett o rick Apr 2016 #114

OK, you've got me... PatrickforO Apr 2016 #124

They are tactics dreamed up at the Cave Think Tank to get one up rhett o rick Apr 2016 #125

At first glance I thought you were being facisious and I started to laugh. rhett o rick Apr 2016 #113

Hmmm... what list of achievements? yourpaljoey Apr 2016 #2

Obama's bigger failures were... eniwetok Apr 2016 #4

Prosecute who and for what? ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #8

oh you're right eniwetok Apr 2016 #12

I was speak of Wall street ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #13

No snark here! retrowire Apr 2016 #22

Bernie at his best. Thanks for posting. pberq Apr 2016 #90

oh im sure 1sbm will come around and reply. nt retrowire Apr 2016 #94

I don't think you want an answer eniwetok Apr 2016 #33

Corzine? MF Global? Let's start there. Yo_Mama Apr 2016 #19

And it's gone! AgerolanAmerican Apr 2016 #34

Allow me to make a suggestion AgerolanAmerican Apr 2016 #32

The Clintons probably had a chat with Obama at some point Califonz Apr 2016 #10

Plus they probably offered him a seven figure gig at the Clinton Foundation tularetom Apr 2016 #28

Boom. Never occurred to me but it is a distinct possibility. The Clinton Foundation thereismore Apr 2016 #53

And the under-reported huge fuck up: killing Ghaddafi and destabilizing Libya. virgista Apr 2016 #25

Wasn't that a cluster? Thanks, Hillary! Elmer S. E. Dump Apr 2016 #47

I think he sees the long-term importance of global trade, and benefits beyond just trade of bindi Hoyt Apr 2016 #5

And loudly so. 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2016 #9

Problem is labor zipplewrath Apr 2016 #45

Liberals (including FDR) in progressive countries have promoted global trade and pampango Apr 2016 #56

FDR promoted global trade because we had most of the trade pediatricmedic Apr 2016 #64

No he promoted trade because he thought it promoted peace and prosperity not just pampango Apr 2016 #75

A short history of Pampango's misuse of invoking FDR on DU: brentspeak Apr 2016 #85

Bull-fucking-shit. These deals allow capital to move freely while nailing labor to a cross of iron FighttheFuture Apr 2016 #108

Why is it then that wages are high and unions are strong in progressive countries which trade much pampango Apr 2016 #112

they have "Trade" with various protections of their countries that we used to have, E.G. Tariff's, FighttheFuture Apr 2016 #127

Progressive countries do not have higher tariffs than the US. If they did pampango Apr 2016 #128

Your Cherry Picking is nauseating. You can argue that NAFTA is a sympoton vs. a cause, FighttheFuture Apr 2016 #129

All economic activity "without appropriate protections" is a "disaster". We could eliminate trade pampango Apr 2016 #130

FDR's concept and espiernece with Trade is from a very different time when the FighttheFuture Apr 2016 #133

I am 'claiming' that FDR "would be fine" with the International Trade Organization the he proposed. pampango Apr 2016 #134

We Americans are sick of being sold out, of having our families and jobs and incomes and lives JDPriestly Apr 2016 #88

I know, America First, and screw everyone else. Hoyt Apr 2016 #93

I have lived in other countries. They take care of their citizens first. JDPriestly Apr 2016 #98

Nationalism is one of the world's biggest issues. Hoyt Apr 2016 #99

Finding the balance between democracy which means that an individual has a voice in the JDPriestly Apr 2016 #105

Which ones of the similar trade agreements since 1959 do you think sank the American worker? Hoyt Apr 2016 #106

Seriously disappointing. That and when he put Social Security on the table. Jackilope Apr 2016 #6

As I am endlessly reminded, Obama passed the ACA Maedhros Apr 2016 #7

ACA Old Codger Apr 2016 #16

+1000000 SammyWinstonJack Apr 2016 #17

I have a friend that says "it doesn't matter" Maedhros Apr 2016 #20

That may very well be Old Codger Apr 2016 #63

ACA was the Republican Plan (Heritage Foundation) for Ferd Berfel Apr 2016 #61

He is in fact Old Codger Apr 2016 #65

good points Ferd Berfel Apr 2016 #66

And boy did it help the insurance industry. zeemike Apr 2016 #62

Perspective scottie10 Apr 2016 #42

I don't hate it Old Codger Apr 2016 #67

The point is this: is the ACA such a massive benefit, Maedhros Apr 2016 #87

+100000 CharlotteVale Apr 2016 #15

All his financial "accomplishments" accelerated the movement of wealth upward toward those who need GoneFishin Apr 2016 #11

maybe the harm is being exaggerated? geek tragedy Apr 2016 #14

Instead of TPP, they should have called it simply TP tomm2thumbs Apr 2016 #21

I Have Been Saying The Same Thing scottie55 Apr 2016 #24

that of course is why he thought he could back TPP without any pushback MisterP Apr 2016 #26

IMO repeatedly accepting the party line LiberalElite Apr 2016 #40

Same here Populist_Prole Apr 2016 #69

well, that's a given despite the protestations of his more enamored supporters stupidicus Apr 2016 #30

The OP SCantiGOP Apr 2016 #31

The Op Didn't Say That scottie55 Apr 2016 #37

You got it, scottie55. Thanks BigBearJohn Apr 2016 #38

Paul Krugman doesn't think the TPP is horrible. Nye Bevan Apr 2016 #35

Of course not. TM99 Apr 2016 #52

So is Paul Krugman stupid, ignorant, deluded, being bribed, or some combination? (nt) Nye Bevan Apr 2016 #55

This is why it is extremely difficult to TM99 Apr 2016 #70

So saying, as the OP did, that the TPP will have a "disastrous effect on the future lives Nye Bevan Apr 2016 #77

NAFTA has been one of the most damaging 'free trade' deals TM99 Apr 2016 #83

Ditto re- all his economic policies. snot Apr 2016 #36

All this thread needs is a Dennis Kucinich reference. Bleacher Creature Apr 2016 #43

All of you should read "Empire of Cotton" by Sven Beckert, to see why Obama is in tune with ancianita Apr 2016 #46

Agreed. It's a shame... AzDar Apr 2016 #48

Perhaps in your mind it "overshadows and undermines...." lexington filly Apr 2016 #49

we are all defined by who and what we support and do stupidicus Apr 2016 #54

Why attack? Old Codger Apr 2016 #73

K&R! Omaha Steve Apr 2016 #57

I was looking for the people who are impossible to please thread BeyondGeography Apr 2016 #59

There's an entire main forum taken over by such people: GD:Primaries Paladin Apr 2016 #95

Oh, it's OK ... Jopin Klobe Apr 2016 #60

Wrong: you are a tpical Sanders person attacking one of the best Pesidents: you are helping. GOP lewebley3 Apr 2016 #68

Totally agree! d_legendary1 Apr 2016 #71

His "achievements" have already been badly overridden. DrBulldog Apr 2016 #72

People think that Citizen's United handed the the keys to the government to global corporations... raindaddy Apr 2016 #76

The Thirdway Completely. Bill = NAFTA Phlem Apr 2016 #79

Always struck me as quid pro quo. I get ACA you get TPP. WhaTHellsgoingonhere Apr 2016 #80

It isn't only Obama. Matilda Apr 2016 #82

i will not agree ... SoLeftIAmRight Apr 2016 #86

See this video. Obama being visibly disingenuous as he tries and fails to sell the TPP. earthshine Apr 2016 #89

Recommend... KoKo Apr 2016 #100

I blame congressional republicans for passing it, just B Calm Apr 2016 #91

Trump would agree about TPP but he does not think Obama achieved anything 'positive' pampango Apr 2016 #92

Anti-Democratic flamebait shenmue Apr 2016 #96

Obama's final betrayal. Scuba Apr 2016 #97

Ah, you must be racist. nt MadDAsHell Apr 2016 #102

Effect of TPP ISDS dispute resolution process Arizona Roadrunner Apr 2016 #103

Obama's just working to secure his seat in "the club". He saw the Clintons amassed $230M+ after FighttheFuture Apr 2016 #107

Really? Loki Apr 2016 #109

Awesome cloud of freeper skunk-whiz! VOX Apr 2016 #115

I don't think the TPP will ever become global law. Rex Apr 2016 #116

Agreed nikto Apr 2016 #117

I agree lark Apr 2016 #118

oh, he's already preparing the "I absolutely have liberal instincts! I take full responsibility! MisterP Apr 2016 #119

I accept your apology for saying that. Iggo Apr 2016 #120

History will remember Obama mainly for this betrayal of American people on behalf of the 1%. Odin2005 Apr 2016 #123

They'll remember he is black zipplewrath Apr 2016 #131

I have to truly believe that Obama truly believes cheapdate Apr 2016 #126

Every time I encounter a statement beginning with "Sorry to say this" ... 11 Bravo Apr 2016 #132