jump to last post 1-5 of 5 discussions (12 posts)

Only 600 corporations are allowed to see whats inside the TPP,

77
rhamsonposted 2 years ago
and select individuals. This is a conversation Robert Reich had with a person in the Office of the US trade representatives.

“I’d like to see the text of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal,” I told the person I reached in the office of the U.S. trade representatives.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “it’s classified.”
“But representatives from some 600 private corporations have access to it by way of a secured Internet portal,” I said. “I’d like the password to the secured portal, please.”
“That’s not possible,” she said.
“But I’m a former cabinet official. I had security clearance. Why can representatives from 600 private corporations have access to this text and not me?”
“I’m very sorry,” she said.
“Look, Congress will be voting shortly on whether to fast-track this deal without amendment or discussion. Several members of Congress have called me to get my advice before they vote. All I’m asking for is the same access to it that people who work for 600 corporations are getting.”
“I can't help you,” she said.
"WikiLeaks has already published three leaked chapters and is selling the entire thing for $100,000. Wouldn't it be cheaper and simpler just to give it to me?"
She laughed and said goodbye.

I don't think this is a laughing matter. The audacity of these people to fast track something that is not even available to read is the worst government money can buy. How is it that the news media is sitting on their hands while this travesty takes place? We are about to pass something that cannot be rescinded. Does anybody care?
reply report
1. 84
  Don Wposted 2 years agoin reply to this
  As Congress are supposedly representatives of the people, is there any situation where it's reasonable for a Bill being considered by Congress to be concealed from public view?
  
  If not, then how about introducing a Bill that disallows the concealment of ANY Bill being considered by Congress?
  reply report
  77
  rhamsonposted 2 years agoin reply to this
  Good luck! The slime bags are so brazen that they don't care what the Constitution says. We need to stop them now and hold every one of them accountable for their vote by voting them out. But that would take an electorate that cared.
  
  Term limits have to take place to make any change. They will not vote for anything that reduces their hold and power to rule. We can do something about if we want to. They don't even get to say no as it is written in the Constitution that we can go over their heads to make it happen. Sign the petition today.
  
  http://www.termlimitsforuscongress.com/
  reply report
60
janesixposted 2 years ago
Yes, I care. But what can be done about it?Do you know?
reply report
1. 77
  rhamsonposted 2 years agoin reply to this
  Contact all the people you know and have them call or write their congress person and tell them to vote no on this awful legislation. It is probably best to contact your house representative as the slime balls in the senate have already passed the fast track amendment. Boehner says it does not make much sense to pursue this past June so we haven't much time.
  
  You can go to these links to register your protest of it.
  
  http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-the-trans-pacific
  
  http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_corporate_death_star/
  
  http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022520062
  
  https://campaigns.350.org/petitions/say … artnership
  
  http://www.ibtimes.com/how-fight-trans- … ns-1475530
  
  http://stopthetrap.net/
  
  These are just a few links that can help.
  reply report
77
rhamsonposted 2 years ago
Initial vote turned down fast track of the TPP. House Democrats feel it will cost too many jobs if passed with it's current language. Lets just hope they load it down with enough crap it can never pass.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/ … CC20150612
reply report
1. 59
  John Holdenposted 2 years agoin reply to this
  Hear hear.
  reply report
2. 81
  Credence2posted 2 years agoin reply to this
  RH, you can see which of the two political parties have to the greatest extent the best wishes for the American worker at heart. I have to turn against the President in the matter for advocating concepts for which we did not elect him. My point is that they are not all the same. I have to get on board with those that push to the left of the president and against those on the right that are anxious to get this TPP thing through to the point of working with Obama when, normally, they wouldn't give him the time of day
  reply report
  77
  rhamsonposted 2 years agoin reply to this
  Credence, the difference you wish to portray through the Dems reluctance to sign on to the TPP is not what it seems. The grassroots movement has overwhelmed congress with its' disapproval. It is more of a nonpartisan movement that wants to stop the total corporate takeover of the countries sovereignty.
  
  "At present, with the help of grass-roots pressure, momentum is growing in Congress to stop Fast Track. Many elected Republicans and Democrats are signing on to letters stating that they refuse to give up their constitutional responsibility to regulate trade between nations. However, as corporate lobbyists descend on Congress, that momentum could change."[1]
  
  I think it more as a pressure by the constituency more than anything. Other than term limits, publicly financed campaigns and lobby reform, I have talked to as many people and signed as many petitions as I can find to stop this. I was even called a racist for opposing the president on the TPP. I am a card carrying member of the NAACP for Christs sake!
  
  "Many groups have been working to stop the TPP for a long time, including a number of fair trade coalitions, labor and environmental organizations, and others. (Check out the North American Unity Statement, and add your organization to the list of endorsers.) PopularResistance.org joined the movement to oppose the TPP and worked with some of these groups to develop this campaign. FlushTheTPP.org is set up so anyone can get involved. [2]
  
  [1] https://www.popularresistance.org/trans … -not-obey/
  [2] http://www.flushthetpp.org/about/
  reply report
73
maxoxam41posted 2 years ago
Why would the dummies that constitute the US care? When did they start caring? And you want them to care now? Now that austerity is choking them to death economically? America has zombies. Just read their responses. Most of them are numbed by people'suffering and you want them to pay attention to a bill that doesn't concern them yet? Isn't what's happening in Detroit a window to our future? And, yet, most of the people of this platform are unaware of what is going on in their own country...
reply report
95
RachaelLeflerposted 2 years ago
If she said "that's not possible", what proof does he offer for his claim that representatives from 600 private corporations have access to this?
reply report
1. 95
  RachaelLeflerposted 2 years agoin reply to this
  "But I’m a former cabinet official. I had security clearance." That is entirely irrelevant, you do not retain the security clearance afforded to your former title. Any idiot should know that.
  reply report