King Obama, His Royal Court, and the TPP
by
Ralph Nader
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – a global corporate noose around U.S. local, state, and national sovereignty – narrowly passed a major procedural hurdle in the Congress by gaining “fast track” status. This term “fast track” is a euphemism for your members of Congress – senators and representatives – handcuffing themselves, so as to prevent any amendments or adequate debate before the final vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership – another euphemism that is used to avoid the word “treaty,” which would require ratification by two-thirds of the Senate. This anti-democratic process is being pushed by “King Obama” and his royal court.
Make no mistake. If this was only a trade treaty – reducing tariffs, quotas, and the like – it would not be so controversial. Yet, the corporate-indentured politicians keep calling this gigantic treaty with thirty chapters, of which only five relate to traditional trade issues, a trade agreement instead of a treaty. The other twenty-four chapters, if passed as they are, will have serious impacts on your livelihoods as workers and consumers, as well as your air, water, food, and medicines
A
group of demonstrators protesting the Trans-Pacific Partnership gather
at the Federal Buileing in San Francisco, California June 9, 2015. The
proposed regional regulatory and investment treaty would include 12
nations throughout the Asia Pacific region that have participated in
negotiations. (Photo: Robert Galbraith/Reuters)
group of demonstrators protesting the Trans-Pacific Partnership gather
at the Federal Buileing in San Francisco, California June 9, 2015. The
proposed regional regulatory and investment treaty would include 12
nations throughout the Asia Pacific region that have participated in
negotiations. (Photo: Robert Galbraith/Reuters)
