New bill threatens to make undemocratic TPP process even worse

[TalkingDog]

https://action.eff.org/o/9042/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9357

Lawmakers in Congress are trying to pass a bill to hand over their own constitutional authority to debate and modify trade law. The process is called Fast Track, or Trade Promotion Authority. It creates special rules that empower the White House to negotiate and sign trade agreements without Congressional oversight. Lawmakers won’t be able to analyze and change their provisions, and have only 90 days for an up or down, Yes or No vote to ratify the entire treaty. That means Internet and copyright provisions, buried in omnibus treaties, will get almost no oversight.

[Vincardog]

1. Internet and copyright provisions, buried in omnibus treaties, will get no oversight by design.

The GOP and the Conservadems have refused to accept any responsibility for their corrosive policies.

[msongs]

6. The president is responsible for negotiating treaties, why blame republicans? nt

[Vincardog]

7. Congress is responsible for ratifying treaties. I blame Conservatives PBO included.

[MindMover]

2. Meanwhile back at the ranch ... keep the masses working 2-3 jobs so they ...

do not have the time to even care about anything except sleepin and eatin ... and sometimes takin a shit ...

[fadedrose]

5. Takes fiber...vegetables cost a lot

Cheap white bread and margarine ain't the best.

I can see why guns are so important to these folks. Only protein they get is what they shoot.

Carry on hunters, it's okay, even more than okay...as long as you are sane and responsible, or close enough to pass..

[jeff47]

3. That bill's not going anywhere.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024410061

[fadedrose]

4. With the majority the Republicans have in the House,

this may not be as bad as what it looks on the face of it.

As far as trade goes, we are so messed up and have been since the late 80's, when a majority of the steel mills in the Pittsburgh area were closed permanently. One plant included National Tube, who was making money in spite of imports because of the high quality of their pipe. Won't swear to it but they didn't get a pipeline job in Alaska and the pipe the oil companies chose was inferior and they had problems. But it was cheaper.

And we give them subsidies.

That wonderful communicating Be-sser Reagon was in when all but a few US Steel and other plants had to close. Many towns died a sad death.

And you think this agreement may even be worse? Even if the House can't screw it up like they do everything?

[solarhydrocan]

8. ^