Global Corporations Are Scheming to Take Control of Our Economy — We Can Put a Stop to It

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/activism/global-corporations-are-scheming-take-control-our-economy-we-can-put-stop-it



***SNIP

The new chairman of the Finance Committee, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), made a speech this week announcing that he was working to introduce a new version of trade promotion authority that he is propagandistically calling “smart-track,” but which sounds more like fast track in sheep’s clothing. Wyden was vague on the details, but this far into the process any fast track bill being pushed will still rig trade in favor of transnational corporations.

For people who care about worker’s rights, the environment, Internet freedom, health care for all, regulation of banks and big finance, healthy food, access to water and other issues, the fundamental question is: will trade put the necessities of the people and environment before the profits of transnational corporations and the already wealthy? From what we’ve seen, the TPP does not and that is why we must continue to organize not only to stop it but also to redefine how trade is negotiated from the first step and to correct the failures of past trade agreements.

What is Wyden Saying?

Senator Wyden has not announced the details of his proposal for fast track and seems to still be in the process of developing it. On April 9, Wyden made a speech to the American Apparel & Footwear Association Conference that described a ‘21 st Century trade policy.’

Wyden’s statement came just as President Obama is preparing to travel to Asia at the end of April to meet with leaders of Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines. The meetings will focus on the TPP and other economic and trade issues. No doubt the Wyden speech will give President Obama something he can say about getting the TPP through Congress since the dead-on-arrival Baucus-Camp trade bill weakened the President’s negotiating position in Asia.

[newfie11]

1. WTH! A Democrat

[MisterP]

3. and how ELSE would they do it?

[badtoworse]

2. Free trade has largely been a one way street with the US getting shafted.

I'm fine with competition, but the playing field needs to be reasonable level. One of the reasons China is a low cost producer is because they are trashing the environment while US firms comply with strict environmental regulations. That sort of an advantage needs to be taken out in any deal.

Labor is a bit more complicated. I'm OK with competition at the worker level too, but differences in living standards skew the comparisons. A decent salary paid in one country could be a top tier wage in another country and vice-versa. How to fairly account for that and still maintain competition is problematic.

We have a big advantage in energy costs - we need to exploit that in any way we can.

Past trade deals have hurt the US economy in general. We need to negotiate in our own interest going forward.