Why Ted Cruz is Right on TPA

Reclaim DC ^ | May 22, 2015 | David Serenda

[SoConPubbie]

It has been said that politics makes strange bedfellows. Well, there is no finer example of that statement than the recent votes on the Trade Promotion Authority. Free trade has long been advanced by conservatives who understand the need to expand our markets beyond our borders. On the other side stands the democrats and the radical left who fear competition and doubt America’s exceptionalism. Yesterday, the Senate cleared the 60 vote hurdle to bring the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) up for a vote. I for one, welcome President Obama to the side of common sense solutions, to help solve the economic disaster that his domestic policies have created. I only wish that he would use that common sense more often.

 

If you have listened to Ted Cruz speak on the economy, you will hear him promote the idea of free trade. One of the many reasons I support Ted Cruz for President is his common sense solutions to solve America’s economic problems. America has experienced a trade deficit for as long as I can remember. A large part of that stems from poorly negotiated trade deals in the past, high tariffs being placed on American products by foreign governments, and currency manipulation. The TPA is a step in the right direction to resolve many of the trade imbalance issues and will provide a set of strict guidelines for negotiations.

 

What exactly is TPA or fast track? I am glad you’ve asked. Trade Promotion Authority, TPA, and Fast Track all refer to the same piece of legislation. First, it is important to note that TPA is not a trade agreement in and of itself, but rather Congress establishing a set of requirements that the President must follow in every trade deal he submits through the TPA “fast track” legislation. By Congress authorizing this legislation they are able to have a part in the terms of the negotiations that take place with foreign governments. In addition to controlling the outline of any trade deal, they are able to force the President to share with them the details of any trade deals as he is negotiating. There are many opportunities for Congress to read and be involved in these negotiations if they really had a desire. There is also a requirement for public summaries to be released throughout the process of the negotiations. Once the trade agreement is completed it must be made available to the public before Congress is able to vote on it.

 

Without the TPA the President is able to negotiate any trade deal without any input from Congress or the American people. Even more alarming the President has the authority to conduct these negotiations in secret and only make them public when he submits them to Congress for approval. Once in Congress the process of buying votes and adding poison pills to the legislation corrupts the entire process. If we know anything about Washington, it is that its corruption runs deeper than the oceans. For these reasons previous Congress, both democratic and republican, have authorized “fast track” legislation.

 

As with anything in politics there are groups who, in an effort to promote their ideology of isolationism, will put out misinformation in order to derail legislation that they oppose. As with anything you read or hear about legislation coming out of Washington, familiarize yourself with not only the facts of the legislation, but any potential bias or agenda the author may be hiding.

 

[conservativejoy]

I think you’ve nailed it. Why are so many folks on this site siding with Dems on this issue?

[Roland]

Why are so many folks on this site siding with Dems on this issue?

One could just as easily ask why Republicans are siding with Obama.

The answer, of course, is because the Republicans are generally the first ones to be bought off by corporate lobbying. While I have never voted for a Democrat in my life I realize (regardless of my preferred presidential candidate) that free trade is not in my best interest.

[Lil Flower]

Ok well explain to me how trade was different then compared to now?

[cynwoody]

If Cruz is for this, then this is where he and I differ. It remains to be seen if this is a deal breaker for me. I am not in favor of any legislation, the details of which are unknown before enactment.

Enactment is not until the final agreement has been published for 60 days. And, then, only if Congress, having heard the reactions to the final agreement, votes to enact.

IOW, Cruz and the rest have voted to let Obama negotiate an agreement, subject to lengthy guidelines, in the hopes that he will somehow rise above being Obama and produce an agreement worthy of enactment. If not, then not!

The upside exceeds the downside.

[Gaffer]

What you describe with the 60 day published period and congress voting to enact sounds somewhat reasonable. But the devil is in the details.

Just recently, I heard on the radio or read that the action by Congress following the 60 publish period is not a binding action on the President, but more like a resolution or statement. Do I have a way to verify this? Does anyone else have a way to verify to the contrary?

That’s what is so troubling about this process. Legislation locked up in the basement somewhere in a place a Senator is allowed to “go read” but not allowed to get a copy. It stinks, frankly. There’s a simple way to clear it all up. Publish it in its proposed entirety, and not just some early version without all the points that really matter.

That’s all I’m looking for. It was all anybody really wanted with ACA. But we never got it, and we are relegated to continual bad news about what Obama has decided on how we get our healthcare.

[cynwoody]

There’s a simple way to clear it all up. Publish it in its proposed entirety, and not just some early version without all the points that really matter.

That's the problem. The agreement doesn't yet exist. You can't publish what doesn't exist.

What was voted upon was an authorization for the executive branch to negotiate an agreement, subject to a list of requirements.

Then, once the final agreement has been reached, Congress gets to vote it up or down after the final version has been aired out for 60 days.

Upside: If Obama plays it reasonably straight, we have an advantageous agreement, yielding net economic growth.

Downside: Obama lards the agreement with progressive nonsense, and Congress votes it down.

[Gaffer]

I am NOT talking about publishing some future trade agreement. I am talking about publishing the legislation that precedes it. Just publish it and let us all read it is all I’m asking.

I guess one could paint and perfume it all with interpretations or intentions, but the clearest way to prove whether or not Congress’ judgment of any future trade agreement is BINDING on the President or not. I recall that it is not. You say differently. All I want is something in writing (the legislation that defines it).

How difficult is that? Just the words on paper. I just don’t trust anything those people say or do any more.

[1rudeboy]

Another manufacturing worker here. I’ve been working 60+ hours/week since the beginning of January. Don’t let anyone grind you down. They’re likely sitting on their asses and collecting SS checks.

[central_va]

"Then you are dooming our economy and killing off jobs."

What we are doing now isn't? LOL

[central_va]

Manufacturing is manufacturing whether it is a stone axe or a space shuttle.

[central_va]

Study economics before you post.

Study history and politics before you post.

[1rudeboy]

Cruz is proposing deregulation across the board. It is one of his major policy issues.

And it appears to have the paleos in a tizzy. They want the government to help them.

[SoConPubbie]

What we are doing now isn't? LOL

And if you reverse course, specifically go protectionist, and do the opposite do you actually believe those jobs will come back?

[SoFloFreeper]

I agree with free trade. The confusion I have on the issue as it stands today is WHY Republicans think Obama can be trusted with this power....they are about to hand him an almost blank check on this part of the economy.

He has proven himself SINGULARLY UNTRUSTWORTHY on every issue: domestic AND FOREIGN. This bill uniquely combines the two.

Somehow, I am certain, Valerie will instruct her charge to use this newfound power in an abusive manner.

Frankly, this is how I view the NSA and other government surveillance....like any weapon, in the hands of moral men it is useful. In the hands of immoral men, these weapons are used to oppress law abiding citizens.

So I would like to hear why BO can be trusted on free trade.

[ducks1944]

Why would Congress give give any power to Obama? Here comes lower wages more illegals and less for US Citizens. Citizens who work will give many more of there $$$ for those who will not work.

[conservativejoy]

You know you’re really in trouble when someone says, “We are from the government and we are here to help you.”

[itssme]

“Don't bother with these freepers..they are totally wacked out..calling Cruz a traitor and treasonous because they have an agenda. He voted his conscience. They can accept this vote or not, but since multiple posts and stories say the same thing, and these people still call BS, you know they never supported Cruz. Cruz is the only Conservative with a chance to win..these trolls know it.”

---

TNMOUTH, you and I are in complete agreement on Ted Cruz. Cruz believes in everything that is important to me, and I'm supporting him. I may NOT always agree with the candidate I'm supporting, but on the whole, Cruz speaks for me. If those of you out there are expecting perfection in your presidential candidate, remember that no one and nothing is perfect.

[bamahead]

Falls right in-line with his support for increasing the number of H1B Visas (the OUTSOURCING Visa) by 500% - which this treaty will help enable.

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2900126/ted-cruz-the-presidential-candidate-who-wants-to-increase-the-h-1b-cap-by-500.html

So he is doubling down on his obvious desire to cater to corporate donors by enabling them to import cheap labor to undercut American workers.

And if you think the H1B abuse is restricted to just Information technology and Computer jobs, you’ve got another thing coming...take a look at the list of H1B elligible occupations:

http://www.h1base.com/content/h1boccupations

[bamahead]

H1B Ping...

[ConservingFreedom]

H-1B ping. Let me know if you're not on the list and want to be added (or are and want to be removed).