Soon Congress will vote to adopt or reject the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This “free” trade pact was written by representatives of international corporations and members of the United States Trade Representative, a government agency staffed by former corporate big shots who happen to be, for the moment, on the “government” side of the revolving door. After seven years of secret negotiations during which “our” elected representatives had no access or input, the bill was handed to our Congress with instructions to “take it or leave it.”
Believe it or not, Rep. Rick Larsen is undecided. Really!? A 5,600-page bill written in complete secrecy by representatives of a business “community,” which is the object of nearly daily stories of lying to the public, knowingly selling dangerous products, cheating on taxes, fixing prices, etc., should have come with “sucker” stamped all over it. We’ve already seen these “free” trade deals send our jobs overseas and suppress wages here. And just a few days ago TransCanada Corporation used a NAFTA provision to launch a $15 billion lawsuit against the U.S. government for failing to OK the Keystone pipeline. Want more of that? It’s in this bill.
The TPP is a self-authored Christmas list of new rights for nationless, heartless, unscrupulous, unethical corporations. Having seen the results of the WTO, NAFTA, and CAFTA agreements, rejecting this thing should be a no-brainer. Tell Congressman Rick Larsen to come to his senses and reject this corporate scam. Call him right now: 202-225-2605.
Ken Dammand
Tulalip
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