Posted on 06/10/2015 5:04:26 PM PDT by Isara
A misguided (or misleading) opposition really has no idea what it’s talking about.
The current debate over Trade Promotion Authority proves, once again, that the classic description of the anti-globalization movement—as “largely the well-intentioned but ill-informed being led around by the ill-intentioned and well informed”—still holds true. Despite the tireless efforts of trade policy experts to explain why TPA and the U.S. trade agreements it’s intended to facilitate are, while imperfect, not a secret corporatist plot to usurp the U.S. Constitution and install global government, myths and half-truths continue to infect traditional and social media outlets.
Because these myths—originating with the same old anti-trade bedfellows that have been with us for decades—have duped a lot of good folks who are otherwise predisposed to support liberty and free markets (including some in Congress), and because the House of Representatives is poised to vote on TPA in the coming days, here is one last debunking of the top nine myths about TPA, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and U.S. free-trade agreements (FTAs) more broadly.
To save some time, you can skip to your favorite myth by clicking on the links below.
Myth 1: TPA and U.S. FTAs are unconstitutional and undemocratic!
Myth 8: FTAs (and free trade generally) benefit large corporations at the expense of working people!
There are legitimate (although not horrifying!) concerns about the contents of the final TPP deal, but it’s certainly not a harbinger of an economic or constitutional apocalypse. The American public should scrutinize the final agreement closely, but that won’t happen until TPA becomes law. For supporters of free markets, there’s no legitimate reason why it shouldn’t.
Bump for later
Ping for tomorrow
So this guy has read the whole bill? I thought it was a big secret and we “have to pass it in order to find out what is in it”?
So, open all the documentation for public scrutiny. Otherwise it’t pure poppycock.
Anything that harms, weakens or destroys our national sovereignty and the absolute authority of the US Constitution is treasonous.
There is more than a good chance that TPP does exactly that or it would not be a secret.
Conservatives need to wake up that supporting global corporations with the ability to lobby our Congress with billions along with international interests is not in our national interest. Conservatism has been muddied by money and global corporatism and especially crony capitalism where elites with billions are on the taxpayer dole.
From #6:
“A ruling by an international tribunal that calls a U.S. law into question would have no domestic effect unless Congress changes the law to comply with the ruling.”
With obozo in office, an executive order would suffice to put into effect anything in the treaty our maximum leader wants to.
If it’s so good, why not release the bill for the people to read?
Who is this guy and how could he know what the TPP will and won’t do, what it is and what it isn’t? Doesn’t it dawn on him how absurd he sounds pretending to clarily and explain so much about a deal which has been kept secret to all but a few?
Oh, I get it. Trust them; they know best.
If the “parade of horribles” is such an absurd fear, why is the text secret? Why do Congressman only get to view it, but not take notes? How can they spend enough time to know what is really in it? Why should we trust Obama, who has been devious and underhanded before (see passage of ACA, or immigration EOs)?
If it is such a good deal declassify it and let us read the agreement as it stands. Will be on the phone tomorrow telling my representitive to vote against this.
In a joint appearance on Sean Hannity’s radio show on Wednesday, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) warned against the passage of the so-called Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) currently being considered by the Congress. Sessions argued it was more than just a framework for a process for the president of the United States to use in negotiating trade agreements, but instead was creating an economic union with wide-ranging powers.
“I’ve been there three times and I can tell you it is far more than a trade agreement,” he said. “It is a creating of an economic union. The congressional resource said it is a wide-ranging political and economic partnership that is created where the Sultan of Brunei gets one vote. The president of the United States gets one vote. Twelve countries – they have the ability to add other treaties and pass them. They have the ability to deal with climate issues, wage issues and environmental issues. There’s just no doubt about that.”
The junior Alabama senator went on to explain that he felt it was being kept secret because if the public were aware of this union, which he likened to the European Union, it would be stopped dead in its tracks. “I think it’s because if the trade commission – if the international commission, the Pacific union that is being created here – were made public, it wouldn’t go anywhere. I just don’t think it has any chance – look, England found out after they joined the EU they can’t fox hunt anymore.”
“...but it’s certainly not a harbinger of an economic or constitutional apocalypse.”
Precisely how do we know this? Why is it so secret? Why are the American people not allowed to know what is in this? Why is this so secret that it has to be kept in a “secret-special” room? Why are our politicians not allowed to inform us? These people are elected to represent US, not the globalists, CoCs, and special interests.
If it’s so good for America, why the devious evasion?
Every single trade deal has resulted in unemployed citizens and trade deficits. American workers are in free fall. Wages have plummeted. Part time is the new normal. Foreign workers are benefiting right here inside our own nation. Disney is just the latest disgusting example.
Well said.
I’ll stick with Sessions. The man is honorable. He does love this nation and it’s people.
Obama has declared that that TPP will help him fight climate change. How can it do that if it does NOT inhibit growth in our economy?
By the way, please define a “free market”...
CATO = Caving to All Things Obama
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