Previously I wrote of concerns about the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership), a trade agreement, being negotiated by governments and multinational corporations to expand and control trade between the Pacific Rim nations ... about 40 percent of the world's trade.
The negotiations were secret, with no debate allowing other input or choice about what citizens might see as appropriate trade policies. These negotiations involved multi-national corporations and representatives of the inner leadership circles of the participating nations. There was little public information to help clarify the provisions during the process.
This seemed to be a disaster waiting to happen. It was extremely undemocratic and looked like a cozy discussion between powerful corporate interests and governments who were heavily influenced by the power of those corporations ... no real checks and balances that a more open and participatory process would have provided.
Well, finally, the entire text of the TPP has been released with the president's support and it is going to be fast-tracked ... allowing only a yes or no vote with no amendments.
It turns out to be even worse than the watchdogs had been predicting. It contains provisions which are likely to raise drug prices world-wide, make it more difficult to protect our food supply, especially from foreign imports; it will increase offshoring corporate profits and encourage sending jobs abroad while driving wages even further down in the U.S. All of our protective laws will be under pressure if they interfere with foreign corporate profits and all challenges will be dealt with by a secret corporate body with their decisions being final and binding.
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If the TPP is passed, there goes our national sovereignty, our job protection, our health costs, our environmental protections and any voice we might have in our lives now or in our futures.
Bob Passi
Baxter
