Posted on 02/06/2016 3:34:36 PM PST by gg188
Establishment, globalist advocates published what will go down as the most disingenuous, deceitful and outright dishonest promotional piece on behalf of the so-called fast-track trade authority that could have been written. Authored by establishment GOP Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and heretofore "conservative" Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the op-ed in The Wall Street Journal is a compilation of talking points and slick dodges. It is textbook propaganda that would make the disinformation experts of the KGB blush.
The dynamic duo start by asserting that the U.S. must "strengthen the country's bargaining position" by giving President Obama fast track powers. Really? The GOP Congress thinks it is vital to our national interest to expand the powers in Obama's hands? And, what exactly "strengthens" our bargaining power? So the only way to win a deal is by convincing foreign governments that the U.S. Congress will be limited in what it can say on the matter? Are we to tell the world that the people and their elected representatives will be sidelined so a "deal" can be done?
Next, Ryan and Cruz assert that the American worker has been placed at a terrible disadvantage to workers in the rest of the world and that we have to give Obama more power in order to address this serious problem. But, of course, nowhere is there a mention of the fact that a big part of that "disadvantage" is currency manipulation and other financial gimmicks---issues that are expressly kept out of the trade deal. I guess nobody told these gentlemen that the primary weapon being used against American workers and business is not going to be discussed. Had they been allowed to read and review the so-called deal---the Trans-Pacific Partnership---they might have known that. But sadly, the Obama administration has kept the "deal" under lock and key---virtually nobody has been allowed to view it.
But this is a minor matter compared to the bald-faced falsehoods that follow. The congressional odd couple assert that Congress will demand three things from Obama, three "requirements" that will protect the nation. In truth, all three are hollow shells; the tools of bait and switch that have used to con America in the past. And what are three shells of the con game?
First, it asserted that there will be 150 "specific negotiating objectives." Sounds good, except these objectives are nothing more than suggestions. If Obama comes back with a treaty and none of these "objectives" are included, there is no effect. The treaty will still get the up-or-down vote. No amendments will be allowed to be offered. No two-thirds ratification vote in the Senate will occur. And of course, at that point, all the special interests---having been fed their fill---will demand passage. Are we to believe that Ryan and Cruz will vote against the treaty if the 150 "objectives" are not included? If that is the case, why do they not say so?
Second, it is asserted that the administration would be required to "consult" with Congress over the course of final negotiations. This is the "kissing your sister" argument---no meaning and slightly discomforting.
Finally, it is claimed that giving Obama more power will enhance the power of Congress and thereby the American people. This is simply a lie. Under the authority Ryan and Cruz want to give the administration, the powers given Congress under the Constitution are suspended. No amendments are allowed. U.S. law will be subjugated to a treaty that can be passed by a simple majority in the two houses. Hollywood and Wall Street will get what they want and the American taxpayers will be given the bill. So, gentlemen, how are the American people protected by suspending the Constitution? Is this the 2016 GOP platform---gather votes signing praises of the Constitution while moving to undercut and suspend it at will?
What is most troubling, however, is the disdain the advocates of this deal have for the American people. They babble on and on about abstract economic "benefits" when, in fact, trade is but a minor part of the matter. No less an authority than The Washington Post stated in an April 13 editorial that the treaty and fast track are "about geopolitics as well as economics."
These treaties are in fact far more about "politics" than economics or trade. These treaties are world governance infrastructure; they are big steps away from the Constitution, national sovereignty and independence. All the trade talk, all the blather about jobs and the confusing stream of questionable statistics are designed to cover the real thrust of these treaties: the expansion of international and globalist interests.
Why the GOP in Congress embraces the very process that would destroy it is a subject for another day, but it is enough to recognize that when they come to citizens begging for votes and donations claiming to defend the Constitution and our system of liberty, that they are being duplicitous Yet again, they treat the grass roots and the conservative base with contempt.
For Ryan to do this is expected, but Cruz's shilling for this big lie may be the last straw for those who became known as Tea Party supporters. The irony is that if they give up hope that America can be restored because they no longer have a champion, who is going to vote for Ted Cruz?
The answer is no one.
Manning is president of Americans for Limited Government.
TAGS:Ted Cruz, Paul Ryan, fast-track authority, Trans-Pacific Partnership, Trade, trade agreement, Trade deal
As I have ranted in related threads, at this point in the presidential race I am glad that I am a Trump apologist and not a Cruz apologist.
Yeah we should ban everyone but billionaires from running.
To the point and concise. The implications are clear; to me at least.
For an establishment guy, he has all the right enemies. And I’ll bet he hasn’t donated money to Pelosi or Reid or endorsed DeBalsio as NYC mayor...
Except that when the 6000 page monstrosity reached the finish line riddled with secret deals and hidden immigration perks for obutthead,,, Cruz decided not to support it knowing full well his detractors would spin it to their benefit. Seems that would be an important point to stress, ya know, if this wasn’t a hit piece that is,,,
Why should we believe you?
Thanks for posting this. I will vote for Cruz if he is nominated (because look at the alternatives), but will pray that he has a Road to Damascus experience about the EVIL of globalist trade.
I consider these so-called free trade agreements to be every bit as egregious as open borders immigration policy. They are both part of the deliberate destruction of the United States.
His wife’s involvement in globalist positions is particularly disturbing, as wives do strongly influence their husbands.
http://lettersfromthegulag.blogspot.com/2015/12/ted-and-heidi-cruz-introduction.html
And Jindal, Rubio, Cruz are first generation at best. They do not have middle class in their bones.
A redneck that's never had a callus on his hands. I guess rednecks just ain't what they used to be.
Location of birth is not as important as the CITIZENSHIP of mommy (American) AND DADDY (Cuban).
Since BOTH were not citizens, he’s AT BEST a naturalized citizen (that pesky Canadian birth, you see—he must APPLY to get it=NOT ‘NATURAL’ citizen).
Hence—He’s NOT QUALIFIED FOR POTUS.
(Yeah, Barry’s not one either.)
They probably don’t want t hear this.
There's too much info on Zoellick/Heidi/Ted/TPP/Goldman Sachs to even begin to post here. Too many articles.
Too late for Levin. He now works for the Cruz campaign. I wonder who will replace him?
Yeah we should ban everyone but billionaires from running.
That’s a stupid argument. cruz has taken in 10x what Trump has spent, just from small donors. Cruz does not need the open boarder money, yet he laps is up with glee. I wonder why that is, and I wonder what they expect?
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You need to lighten up jojo it was a bit os scariest.
As to why Cruz can use Super Pac support as opposed to Trump, Trump has appeared on Fox more than twice as many times as Cruz, the MSM has ignored Cruz as much as possible.
Trump has gotten more exposure than all the other candidates combined.
God for trump the master carnival barker.
Unfortunatly, donating to everyone is a way to succeed in this country for last few decades. THEN, when make it have a chance to change things. Murdoch, Soros et.al have done so and look what they are doing with their money.
Trump as a different message. He is seventy years old, speaks a populist tune that has disappeared from the political
discourse for over a century.
With which imperfect candidate do you put your money on this election?
...and all the other talking heads who worry more about their wallets than America
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