Curious About The Biggest Trade Deal In History? Sorry, It’s Classified or

[UCmeNdc]

never sign a contract that you cannot read before hand or have enough time to read and understand the terms. I repeat if you cannot understand clearly the terms of the agreement / contract do not sign it.


TPP, as it stands, is classified. The White House can see it. Leaders in negotiating nations can see it. About 600 reps from America’s most powerful corporations can see it.

But the American public is forbidden from perusing the deal, and the people they elect are barred from negotiations. Though Congress will eventually decide its fate, US lawmakers are increasingly frustrated at TPP’s intense secrecy. Given the way trade deals work on Capital Hill, they may get precious little time to review the colossal pact before deciding whether to make it law.

The secrecy has even riled up Obama’s own political camp.

BANGKOK — The Trans-Pacific Partnership sounds deadly boring.

It’s not.

The potential impact on humanity from this proposed mega-deal is impossible to measure. TPP could bankrupt families in Kansas and enrich them in Kuala Lumpur. Or make patented medicine wildly unaffordable for sick people in poor places. Or even imprison citizens of 12 countries for pirating Game of Thrones episodes.

Or maybe, as its proponents claim, TPP could plug the US into Asia’s rising markets and give the global economy a needed jolt. Either way, if secured, it will be a corporation-friendly game changer for 800 million people.


Will the US citizens sign off on a contract they are not allowed to read or fully debate?


http://crooksandliars.com/2014/05/curious-about-biggest-trade-deal-history

[Scuba]

1. Anyone questioning this policy is a conspiracy theorist.

[HooptieWagon]

2. We don't know what's in it....

...so there's absolutely nothing to be concerned about.*

*So we're told by the Teen Seventeen Obama Fan Club.

[1StrongBlackMan]

3. A couple "inconsistencies" that I'd like to point out ...

TPP, as it stands, is classified. The White House can see it. Leaders in negotiating nations can see it. About 600 reps from America’s most powerful corporations can see it.

Why did you exclude the Labor Representative and Environmental Representatives that "can see it"?

But the American public is forbidden from perusing the deal,

Name one trade deal/agreement that the American Public was allowed to peruse the deal.

Given the way trade deals work on Capital Hill, they may get precious little time to review the colossal pact before deciding whether to make it law.

Don't you think that when/if a deal gets to Capitol Hill, that will be when/where the American people will/can have input, through our elected officials?

But mainly, don't you find it "odd" to be arguing against the secrecy of the negotiations AND arguing the effect should the deal/agreement be gain approval?

Mind you, I have no strong opinion on the efficacy of the TPP BECAUSE I do not have enough information to form one. But what I do know is, any trade agreement must be voted into law by our elected officials ... that's how this democracy works.

[radiclib]

4. "that's how this democracy works." ?

"…the American people will/can have input, through our elected officials?.."

Really?

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. Yep ...

that IS how this democracy works.

[radiclib]

6. Maybe in civics books. Not in reality.

Congress will vote for the interests of those who pay them, the multinationals that will benefit from TPP in this case, and the corporations and billionaires who pay them in every other case as well. Our "democracy" is a joke.

[1StrongBlackMan]

7. I can't help that you have given up ...

Why live here?

[radiclib]

8. DC is lost, but I haven't totally given up.

http://www.wolf-pac.com

It is last call, though.

[blkmusclmachine]

9. Classified?! Whatever happened to "if you're not doing something wrong, you've got nothing to hide"?

Change! Transparency! 11-dimensional bullsh!t!