Is President Obama drinking the "Free Trade" Kool-Aid?
by Thom Hartmann,posted Jun 13 2012 3:39PM
Is President Obama drinking the Thomas Friedman, one world, so-called "Free Trade" Kool-Aid?
Currently – the President is working on a new Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact to open up trading markets with eight Pacific nations. This morning – a critical document outlining new provisions in this trade deal was leaked – revealing the President stands behind giving foreign transnational corporations' unprecedented power to abuse American workers, pollute our environment, and destabilize our markets.
Under the agreement – American companies would have to comply with American law and any labor, banking, and environmental regulations. But foreign companies operating on U.S. soil wouldn’t have to. Instead, they can appeal to an international tribunal that has the power to overturn laws passed by our Congress – and levy trade sanctions on the United States. In other words – if this trade deal passed then Americans laws would no longer apply to foreign business tycoons setting up shop in the United States.
This is yet another blow to American sovereignty – and the power of “we the people” to protect our commons and our workers. We’re headed toward a nationless world where only transnational corporations rule – and they aren’t exactly big fans of democracy or the middle class.
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Is President Obama drinking the "Free Trade" Kool-Aid?
Please Enter Your Comments Below
06/13/2012 4:05PM
I'm scared, Thom
Thom, when this leak was released today I really started to lose hope that this country will ever recover. Mr. Obama promised us transparency and has broken that promise. This is a slap in the face to those of us who believe in and support him. I willstill vote for Obama, but my fear is that Democrat and Independant voters will stay home on Election Day and hand this thing to Romney. WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
Thank you for everything you do.
Cara DePalma
Wharton, NJ
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