and how we need to 'wait' to judge it. Wait until it is too late, of course.

Again and again, what we see is that when politicians and lobbyists keep secrets, they do so for their own benefit, not for ours.

from common dreams and posted here. Are people just making shit up?

Money is free to gallivant all over the globe, trampling everything and anybody.

Labor?... not so much.

LAWS that protect the Environment, Net Neutrality, Workers' Rights, Labor and Livable Wages, in one big final Coup.

I cannot BELIEVE that anyone, no matter how much they 'trust' a Politician could POSSIBLY go along with this.

They are not just trying to overcome OUR laws, they are going to do it World Wide.

Eg, if the TPP passes, the 12 countries who are a party to it, will have allowed Corporations to challenge their laws, whenever those laws interfere with their profits. Eg, if they want to pollute rivers and land, but laws prohibit them from doing so, they can sue. Then WE the people will have to pay them because they don't like our laws. Has anyone EVER heard anything so ridiculous?

I sometimes think things like this are a test, to see how far they can go, how stupid WE are. And I think they are probably pleasantly surprised that we are way more stupid than they thought.

If this passes, countries not a party to it, who have good Environmental protection laws, will be forced to change them in order to 'play on the world stage'.

It is a definite bid to take over Global protections of the environment, freedom of speech/the internet, labor, equalize the wages wrold wide, downward.

I can only hope they fail, AGAIN. They tried it under Bush, but Dems especially, stopped them.

Its right in front of our eyes. Plain as day. I don't know how people can look the other way & say it must be ok even though its popular with the republican party, because our president wants it too.

This is for corporations' benefit only. Thank God for the good Dems in congress, they give us hope!

He claimed NAFTA was only bad for unfair labor practice and environmental protections....totally glossed over losing all our jobs to lower wages overseas. Everything is theater at this point...If Obama was truly angered by Republican obstructionism we would've gone on the verbal offensive at least but he kept the whole thing civil, neutered and non-confrontational...like any corporate mouthpiece should.

This is a great article, really revealing. Recommended and bookmarked

that we have anyone supporting this measure, but I forgot /digress that Sherrod Brown only had 9:59 seconds to voice his opposition and was trying to get answers from the trade representative trying to get some information on this matter when he was cut off by Orrin Hatch.
Yes, boys and girls the same Orrin Hatch who sold his seat a long time ago to the highest bidder and all one has to do is go to Vote Smart.org to see his record to find out why this country is being turned into a proverbial third rate state function

From the article:

"The chapter includes a "regulatory exchange" proposal, which will "force laws drafted by democratically-elected politicians through an extensive screening process,"

ALEC already - effectively - does this in the U.S. I know ALEC more typically drafts legislation in advance and gives it to legislators to implement as-is. But, this is operationally similar to the new TTIP protocol.

On edit: I'd like to know where the Tea Party is on this. I know that they are generally protesting it as we are. But given their rabid opposition to simple UN treaties as an assault on our sovereignty - even though treaties don't bind us as these trade deals will - they should proportionally be enraged on TPP and TTIP to the point of making daily headlines. They went crazy on the birth certificate issue. These trade deals should be a much, much higher priority for them.

As long as they get all their news from right wing outlets, though, they'll stay blissfully ignorant. Just the way their handlers want them. They're sure not going to look at other news sources, though MSM (including newspapers) are boosters or stenographers of the corporate line.

Then, in their ignorance, they might fight against it.

Poll: conservative and moderate republicans oppose fast track by a ratio of 85 percent or higher.

On the question of fast-track authority, 62 percent of respondent opposed the idea, with 43 percent “strongly” opposing it. Broken down by political affiliation, only Democrats that identify as “liberal” strongly favor the idea. Predictably, a strong Republican majority oppose giving the president such authority, with both conservative and moderates oppose it by a ratio of 85 percent or higher.

http://www.ibtimes.com/trans-pacific-partnership-tpp-poll-only-strongest-obama-supporters-want-him-have-fast-track-1552039

"As of yet, U.S. gun manufacturer's have made no comment about an alleged TPP provision that would open up new markets for U.S. gun manufacturers, but would be limited to weapons equipped with electronic fingerprint ID locks. The sophisticated technology, once programmed to the original buyer's fingerprint, cannot be fired by others. This would virtually eliminate the incidents of small children shooting themselves or others. Under TPP, it is alleged, U.S. gun manufacturers must agree to equip 20% of their domestic manufactured weapons with the new electronic fingerprint ID locks by 2020. Several high tech companies are competing to fill expected demand surge, such as Swiss electronics company Günlox, Ltd. and Chinese high-tech company Riflemost, LTD."

Thank you for this.

"Who can do battle with The Beast?" We can.

What about the public's economic interests, or interest in being employed, or interest in eating and drinking safe food and water?

What an abomination.

TPP is a 50 ton legislative vault door controlled by huge corporations. Once it slams shut there will be no way to open it again.

And the president many thought would be the second coming of FDR is pushing for fast track authority to sneak these corporate monsters through the Congress on an up or down 51 vote margin in the Senate. And 50% plus one in the House.

PS was among those who thought Obama would be our savior.

I can say there is. An opposition movement here that managed 20.000 on a rainy and cold sunday afternoon has made it into one of its focal points. Mainstream public is unaware/apathic about it still, the deal is being pushed as inevitable and great for export.

On edit: link to article (in dutch) about earlier 2000-strong demo against TTIP

http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/binnenland/1.2308575

Here's photo coverage of the same demo:
http://www.dewereldmorgen.be/foto-carrousel/2015/04/20/ttip-waar-gaat-het-over

And photos of the 20k event of "Heart above Hard":
http://www.dewereldmorgen.be/foto-reportage/2015/03/29/de-grote-parade-de-fotos-bewijzen-het

I'm so disappointed to hear, though, that the European msm is just as bad as it is here in the US. We are most likely all screwed on this one. That is, unless you're a major stockholder or an exec at one of the MNCs who will benefit from slave wages & corporate sovereignty. Or a politician getting your campaign dollars covered by said corporations with a cushy job promised when you're ready to step down from your "civil service."...

I did a post on the marches through out Europe the other day. It was one of those OPs that dropped out of sight for whatever reason, but I think you'll like it~

'Stop TTIP': Global Day of Action Draws Tens of Thousands (in Europe)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026531160

We may be only raindrops but I have the distinct feeling they are coalescing. Many "fights" are coming together.

As to the MSM here, the state news did put up an analysis that listed both the (ridiculously small) pros and the considerable potential cons.
And at an earlier occasion an msm newspaper carried a brilliant criticism of the TTIP by Bart Staes (of the Green (EVA) fraction in the EU parliament).

Still, off the radar for probably 70+ % of the people.

From what I've read about fast track, it sounded to me like it covers all agreements for an extended but definite period of time, but has to be reauthorized when the act expires.

it seems like they would make it broad rather than narrow.

Why...that IS the New World Order.


Glad I'm old.
I 'm too old for Fighting in the Streets anymore (though I do sing the Jagger song in my head often). I have been through several street battles with the protectors of the 1%.
I hope our kids pick up the flags.

I was/am very proud of OWS. They had a tremendous impact.
They are my new Heroes of the Movement,
and I would have loved to join the encampments.

I feel the same about OWS. Their crime was informing the people of the Wall Street fraudsters.

Why? I do not understand it. Some very odd things have happened over the last decade and a half.

don't like democracy.

Too bad about its source.

Its closer than you think.

eom

Seriously.

Not even sure at this point what can be done about it and many other American disgraces.