GOP Blocks Bill to Shine Light on Clandestine Trade Deals

This is a subject that citizen's of all political persausions agree. These trade deals - secret, business written, trade deals are destroying not only our country but the world.

The contents of the corporate-friendly Trans-Pacific Partnership, the centerpiece of President Barack Obama's trade agenda, will remain shrouded in secrecy after Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) on Thursday blocked legislation that would have increased transparency around the mammoth trade agreement involving 12 Pacific Rim countries.

The Fast Track bill currently working its way through Congress does require that any trade deal, such as TPP, be made public for 60 days before Congress votes on it.

However, even if lawmakers find specific problems in a deal, there would be little they could do to stop it because Fast Track allows no amendments and no filibusters—they may only vote yes or no .

As such, Fast Track opponents have pointed out, the transparency is rather meaningless.

You and I have no say whatsoever nor do our represative. Only a few members of congress aren't bought by the private interests behind these 'trade deals'.

www.commondreams.org...

I've been thinking about the TPP the last few days.

Anyone can see it will destroy what is left of America's working class (we can't even call it a middle class any more).

I can only hope that President Obama and the Dems are using this "fast track" vote as a political strategy for 2016 and not a serious trade negotiation.

Everyone that backed President Obama in 2014 got their ass handed to them. The Dems know this and could easily use the TPP as a talking point in the coming elections.

When has President Obama ever negotiated, let alone sided with the Rebubs?

The actual trade agreement still requires the up/down vote to pass legislation, so the fast track just removes amendments.

Voting in favor of Obama "selling out to China" however is a serious hammer to wield against the opposition.

It's a long shot hope and "hope is the first step on the road to disappointment". However, I still cannot believe that our own government would destroy our country like this.

a reply to: 200Plus

, I still cannot believe that our own government would destroy our country like this.

I can.
I don't believe it's about countries anymore. The Bilderburg Group gets together and decides how the world will be run and as long as they benefit, one country's loss or gain is not important to the big picture. They can and will, gut this economy and do what ever will be best for them.

This whole deal has mystified me beyond all reason.
When did POTUS and Mitch become best buddies?
Why do they agree on this secret deal needing to be secret?
If the deal is actually secret, how do we know what is contained within?
How do we gauge the repercussions of a deal about which we know nothing?
If this deal is advantageous for the US why keep the details secret? I've never in my 61 years seen a politician fail to take credit for a deal that works for the people so I'm extremely curious as to why these yahoos are suddenly treating trade deals like ancient mystery rituals.
This reminds me of the time that I went to my local government asking questions about a deal in which they were involved that looked pretty shady from the outside. I was literally patted on the head by my representative and told, "It's not something you need to worry your head about, we're taking care of government business." That is exactly the same attitude I see displayed today at the federal level.
Just as looking into that shady local deal proved that it was indeed quite shady and advantageous to certain companies and individuals, it seems that anytime government goes behind closed doors there is ample opportunity for mischief.

originally posted by: 200Plus
I've been thinking about the TPP the last few days.

Anyone can see it will destroy what is left of America's working class (we can't even call it a middle class any more).

I can only hope that President Obama and the Dems are using this "fast track" vote as a political strategy for 2016 and not a serious trade negotiation.

Seems that is the only goal now a days. And of course people choose to ignore it. Obamacare was a huge step forward in the quest to destroy the middle class and create a massive gap between the poor and the rich. Of course it didn't hurt the middle class as much as it hurt the working class, but one step at a time. Eventually the gap will be adequately wide.