If President Obama thinks we really shouldn't judge TPP until we see what's in it...

[Ken Burch]

Then why the #$@! doesn't he just LET us see what's in it?

If it's really sunshine, lollipops and rainbow for all of us, then why won't he even let the Congressmembers who have seen oy take written notes about it?

There's no reason to keep GOOD news hidden, after all.

[99th_Monkey]

1. Never you mind about all those complex details

I guess we're supposed to Judge this TPP Book by it's Cover?

[Cleita]

2. It's a trade agreement, not the blueprints for the next super weapon.

It should be available to anyone who wants to read it, all of it.

[PoliticAverse]

3. Because you can't see it when you might have an influcence on what is in it...

you only can see it when you get only the option to say Yay or Nay.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. The only ones who get to see it are the ones who are writing it. Trust is paramount! n/t

[JaneyVee]

5. Um, because it hasn't even been written or finalized.

It will be available for public view.

[Larkspur]

7. Then Fast Track should not be passed until after TPP text is available to all the public and

the public can debate all the details in it.

Obama is using the same scare tactics used by NAFTA supporters and the proponents of WTO, PNTR and KORUS.
All free trade deals hurt American workers and make Americans race to the bottom.

The main beneficiaries are the banksters that Obama would not prosecute for destroying our economy in 2008.
Obama did nothing to help middle class families who were victims of these banksters keep their homes. Obama is dishonest when he says he fights for middle class families.

[KMOD]

6. Congress has been briefed 1700 times

Congress has access.

The fast track bill has unprecedented requirements attached.

The public will see it.

The Senate can strip the fast track.

Trumped up emotional and dramatic crap. All of this.

[Red Oak]

9. Please give more information

KMOD,

Sounds like you have some inside knowledge. Please explain further.

Will I, as a citizen, get to see the full text before my Congressional representatives vote on fast track or vote on passage?

Is it true that members of Congress can see the text, but have to be alone and can't take notes?

What are the "unprecedented requirements" that I should know about and don't? Please direct me to them so I can read them.

[KMOD]

10. I do not have any inside information.

I've just simply done my own research.

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026563367

[TrumanTown]

12. Transparency Officer

What Is A Transparency Officer?!?! I Will Be The Transparency Officer If You Don't Mind!!!!!

[KMOD]

13. Not my call.

[Taitertots]

20. A transparency officer is in charge of keeping secrets

A system with transparency doesn't need a "Transparency Officer".

Why don't they just call his office the chamber of secrets?

[MaggieD]

16. Same here

It's unbelievable to me that people will demand!!! Info when they won't avail themselves of the info plainly available. Easier to bitch, I guess.

[Red Oak]

22. OK - let's share some research

Thanks very much for the link! At 115 pages, the Senate fast track proposal is a little dry, but there is some interesting stuff. I'm working my way through it, but we can discuss some of it if you like.

For instance, the first part, from page one through page 35 line 12 is all white unicorns farting rainbows. It is a list of Trade Negotiating Objectives and carries no weight, nothing but a list of pie in the sky nice words. Totally devoid of any anything if the "objectives" are not met. Congress would be giving away the right to really have oversight on the TPP in return for what? A listing of "Objectives"?

Page 48 line 13 is a goodie. Any member of Congress can see the trade document. No mention of notes being taken, being able to discuss it is public, staff being able to help.

It gets better. Page 50 line 1 Enhanced Coordination with Congress. No later than 120 days AFTER you sign off on fast track, we are going to set down the written guidelines on how you are going to get access to this information in the future. You give us what we want now (limited oversight) and in three months we are going to give you written guidelines on how you are going to get info. Good deal, that!

Page 52 page 1 creates Designated Congressional Advisors! Some Congress people actually get to be part of a huge secret laden team negotiating TPP and other trade deals! Yay! If you trade off your Congressional duty to really have your staff examine these deals in detail and open them up for full public discussion with the ability to amend, we will let a few of you on the inside track team. I'm sure those few "Designated Advisors" will give Congress a lot more pull than without fast track.

Hey! Page 59 and 60 - the public isn't left out after all! Sign off on fast track and no later than 120 days afterward we are going to find out by written rule how the public will be able to get TPP and other trade info! We don't know that today, so give us 120 days AFTER you sign off on fast track. And to show we mean it, the three guiding principles are 1. facilitating transparency (I think I just upchucked a bit reading that) 2.Encourage public participation (the secret dealings are already doing that!) 3. Promote collaboration in the negotiating process.

Feel free to show me your research and explain in detail by line how this isn't a pile of stinking doo.

[MaggieD]

15. Thanks for being rational

Very few will pay attention, but at least you tried.

[KMOD]

17. That's all we can do, Maggie.

Thanks.

[Dawgs]

18. And the congressional Democrats don't like while the Republicans do like it.

That's enough for me to think it's probably shite.

[underahedgerow]

19. 'Fast Track' is a bit of a misnomer since it's been in the works since 2002. Moving at glacial

speed, this is.

But the sky is falling! The sky is falling!

[Luminous Animal]

8. George Bush did in 2001.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026563344

[Luminous Animal]

11. Bush did in 2001 in the name of transparency. Crazy….

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026563344

[SoapBox]

14. Show America the facts, Mr. President!

[Enthusiast]

21. Kicked

and recommended!