TPP: Back to the Ramparts

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We won a small victory on June 12, 2015. House Democrats used a tactical maneuver to derail a bill giving fast-track authority to President Obama to negotiate the TPP, the Trans-Pacific Partnership. That victory will be short-lived.

What House Democrats did was fail to pass a bill linked to the fast-track authorization called Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). In that the two bills had been linked by the Senate. The demise of TAA in the House prevented, at that time, passage of fast-track authorization.

The TPP treaty at the heart of this drama is a game-changing agreement. Everyone and everything will be affected. The TAA bill, however, is a red herring. It's a meaningless publicity stunt not worth, to any American worker, the paper it is written on.

The real purpose of TAA is to provide political cover to Democrats who sell out their voters and workers in their home districts. It gives them something they can hold aloft as proof that they got a concession for American workers. In fact, it's a fig leaf to make selling out somewhat safer. It's also something the commercial press can use in selling the package to the American public.

What the TAA bill did do is give the democrats a way to politely derail fast-track authorization. It gave them an option for passive resistance which, to their credit, they passively opted to exert.

TAA having failed and fast-track authority having passed in the House, both bills are now back in the Senate, with President Obama and Senate GOP leaders looking for a way, any way, to move fast-track authority to Obama's desk.

To understand why they are likely to succeed, follow the money. Yes, the TPP agreement is a game-changer. It is also of, for, and by the Multinational Corporations. The politicians ramrodding it through Congress are paid, and paid well, to make sure it becomes law.

At stake is control of global resources and production on a staggering scale. In terms of natural resources, it's everything from fossil fuels to precious metals to old growth timber and ivory. In addition, every facet of global production would be affected. From consumer electronics to clothing, from aerospace to shipbuilding, if it can be produced by man, the Multinational Corporations and investors backing the TPP agreement have every intention of controlling it -- whatever that takes.

Would that include bribing and manipulating spineless American politicians to sell out their country and their communities? Bet your life on it.

What You Can Do

The day before the June 12 TPP vote, Elizabeth Warren posted a simple request to her website. It said, "I need you to make a phone call." Her page provides a link to look up your Congressional representatives and a sobering explanation of what TPP means to you and the the country. Visit her page ... make the call.

You should also contact the AFL-CIO and let them know you support their position that they will not contribute to the campaign of any publicly elected official who votes to promote the TPP agreement.

The time has come to make your voice heard, loud and clear. Try it, you'll like the results.