ACTION ALERT! Thursday's Secret Trade Deal by DLC Dem Leadership expands NAFTA

[KoKo]

Here's the scoop. Those of us who are against "secret deals" and expansion of NAFTA type "free trade" which offshore our jobs, drive down our wages and allow uninspected and possibly tainted food to come into our country need to respond to this immediately. That this was done by our Democratic Leadership "behind closed doors" is disappointing. Do we need our DEMS to be acting like Repugs...making deals in SECRET with LOBBYISTS? CALL YOUR HOUSE MEMBERS and SIGN THE PETITION FROM "Public Citizen" to let Congress know that American Workers have had ENOUGH OF THIS!

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Friday, May 11, 2007
K Street vs. Middle America: Battle Lines Being Drawn In Fight Over Dems' Secret Trade Deal With Bush Sirota Blog

Another long day as the reverberations continue to intensify after yesterday's press conference announcing a secret "free" trade deal between a handful of senior Democrats and the Bush administration. In the interest of brevity, I have compiled the major news of the day, including new revelations about who is supporting the deal and who is opposing it, though remember - it is difficult to make any hard and fast conclusions because Democratic leaders and the White House continue to keep the details of the deal completely secret. That said, a look at who is supporting the deal and who is opposing it provides some key insights into what this deal is really all about. Already, the New York Times has reported that at least half of all House Democrats may immediately oppose the deal because it seems to fly in the face of the Election 2006 mandate against lobbyist-written trade policy. And now, a day after the announcement, the battle lines are being drawn.

DEAL MAKES SURE TO PREVENT UNIONS FROM HAVING LESS RIGHTS THAN CORPORATIONS: Reuters reports that the deal includes "a provision that would only allow national governments" - not unions - "to file a labor complaint under the pact," meaning Democrats complicit in the deal are effectively proposing that America rely on the Bush administration to make sure workers and the environment are protected. This provision in the deal creates a clear double standard that prioritizes corporate rights over worker rights. Specifically, the provision stands in contrast to provisions already in America's current trade pacts that allow domestic and foreign corporations to file complaints against sovereign governments (including U.S. local, state and federal governments) when those governments pass environmental/consumer protection laws. These complaints have resulted in U.S. taxpayers alone being forced to pay roughly $1.8 billion in "damages" in international courts because of its own laws.
DEAL PREVENTS DEMANDS FOR U.S. TO RESPECT INTERNATIONAL LABOR STANDARDS AT HOME: Bloomberg News reports that the deal appears to ensure that unions and other countries cannot demand enforcement of International Labor Organization standards in the United States. Specifically, "federal trade officials said they are confident that the wording protects against any possible litigation." This report is consistent with a statement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which yesterday said key players in the deal have given K Street "assurances that the labor provisions cannot be read to require compliance with ILO Conventions."

much more on what this is about here........

http://www.workingassetsblog.com/

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For reference, Public Citizen is calling for the public immediately contact Congress asking lawmakers to reject the deal, on the basis of what we already know about it. The organization has created a website for this purpose here.

TAKE ACTION HERE:
http://action.citizen.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=11354

[bbgrunt]

1. thanks for the link. done. k and r

[NightWatcher]

2. gee, the Democratic Leadership is pro-corporation and anti- US worker

:sarcasm:
Who has ever heard of such a thing?
The citizen has lost out to the corporation. Is there a candidate that might be slightly less likely to see us out wholesale to the highest briber, I mean bidder?

Goodbye USA, hello American Union. Thanks CAFTA and NAFTA

[still_one]

5. Justice Stevens will probably retire in 2008, who do you think would choose a better replacement?

A Democrat or a republican?

Look at Clinton's appointments verses bush I and II, and ronald reagan...

You have roberts, scalia, alito and thomas who believe that corporations should be treated as individuals

[sadiesworld]

7. Man, this "gotta stay with the dems b/c of the Supreme Court" shtick

is keeping you busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger. lol.

[NightWatcher]

9. and look at where it is getting us

it's time to change or we'll die with nothing in our bellies and only dirty water to drink, while we cough on the bad air that burns our lungs.

[still_one]

Because it is THAT IMPORTANT. Maybe you don't remember when there was segregation, I do

[KoKo]

12. This hasn't been brought up for vote and many Dems will oppose it IF you let them know!

I suspect this was trade off to get the Repugs to pass the Iraq Bill with "Benchmarks" included.

BUT...we shouldn't compromise our Jobs and Food Safety for IRAQ!

If we let our Dem Reps know IMMEDIATELY that we oppose any more Free Trade and not Fair Trade deals then
we have a CHANCE of stopping this. I don't blame Pelosi and Rangel but think that this compromise gives us an opportunity to tell them...NO MORE COMPROMISING ON THE BACKS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!

[still_one]

15. I agree 100% with you. That is what we should do, let them know we don't like it

I just hope we don't call for starting a 3rd party, and throwing the bathwater with the baby out, because I think we will be in a far more precarious position if that happens

I will contact my representative and Senators on Monday, and will also write Pelosi

thanks

[loudsue]

48. It will be VERY important to contact Lou Dobbs.

He'll be on this like white on rice, especially if we hammer him.

We also need to get it to Keith. He'll call it like it is.


:kick:

[KoKo]

72. He had David Sirota on Tonight.....I hope that's a good thing? n/t

[mmonk]

49. The DLC dems are trying to make it a tough call.

And don't mention Roberts and Alito to me. I still remember the gang of 14.

[mod mom]

65. which is exactly why we need to make sure our candidates are not DLC, or

we will have SCOTUS justice that will tow the corporate line like Alito and Scalia.

[blues90]

42. Why am I not surprised .

I does look like I suspected , most of the reps are bought and sold and voted in by the huge corps .

[Cobalt Violet]

3. K & R

:kick:

[mntleo2]

4. Done, Kicked and Reommended

... at least I felt like I spoke up and let these Nimrods know this is in direct opposition to Democratic principals.

Cat In Seattle

[Lost4words]

6. DLC makes Madusa look Pretty and kind and sweet.

there is no difference between the DLC and the RNC they have the same mission!

WAKE UP

[NightWatcher]

8. thank you. I am sick of the DINO's (dem in name only)

I think that we seriously need to start thinking about a third party and put some power behind it.

Possibly a Populist Progressive Party?
There is nothing left for the people. It is all being GIVEN or SOLD to the corporations and their political whores in Congress.

[still_one]

13. If we were a parlimentary form of government, maybe, but it won't happen unless that changes

You want change, then change it within the party, because the way our Republic is, it ain't going to happen in our life time

and things could get a lot worse

[NightWatcher]

14. I would love a change for good, but I think that corporate $ are working faster than we are

A few million dollars goes further towards shaping policy than do a few million voters. Unless we start getting a few million marchers in the streets, the $ will march down K street and do all the talking.

[still_one]

18. I hear you, but something did happen in 2006, which wasn't suppossed

Not only did the election go against what the corporations wanted, but it also set an historical rare occurance

What we had was an incumbant president, whose party controlled the house and senate, and they lost BOTH houses

That was against what should have happened

You are also correct about people getting out and marching, but even that will be a slow process. I saw it with the Civil Rights movement, and Viet Nam, and it still took a long time for things to change. However, I do believe people are disatisfied, so maybe it won't take as long.

2006 really did say something

[sadiesworld]

21. What was the big deal about '06?

The Dems are backing off lobbyist reforms, secretly negotiating with Bush on trade deals, joining in in preventing drug reimportation, voting to extend tax cuts (capital gains, dividend and inheritance) and doing zip about ending the war. I'd think corporations should be thrilled with them. Hell, the dems are even supporting "amnesty", a guest worker program and increased H-1b visas--a virtual political impossibility for the repugs (not that dem voters are gonna take it quietly).

2006 really said squat.

[still_one]

22. Historically they should not have won. Look at history, the incumbant party should have won

If you are really so down on the Democratic party, and don't want to elicit change through the party, then in 2008, vote for your third party candidate

but I will give you odds that it most likely will either be a Democrat or a republican who will win

[bbgrunt]

26. exactly. the dems have to realize that now that the

public is becoming enraged and observant, they can't carry on with the same old same old. This DLC crap from the dems will be their death. Time for REAL change.

[formercia]

23. Corporations have too much influence

There needs to be strict limits put on the ability of corporations to influence public policy to the detriment of the majority of citizens.

[cyberpj]

34. They won't like the sound of it but it's time for a US PEOPLE'S PARTY! nt

[Individualist]

24. DLC has far too much influence on the party,

and those who cheerlead for DLC are aiding and abetting in turning the democratic party into a submissive branch of the republican party.

[me b zola]

50. I agree...and...

I have a theory that this "compromise" to get us out of Iraq is nothing more then the political cover that the dlc needed to make a give away to big buisness. Hell, the legislation as it has already been voted upon does not require all troops out and does not even mention contractors.

[pberq]

10. Done and thanks for posting

with friends like these, who needs enemies?

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Done. Thanks.

[bonito]

16. Done n/t

[formercia]

17. The Chamber of Commerce

The same organization that is lobbying the Chinese government to limit workers' rights and wages. It's all about maximizing profits for the corporations at the expense of working people.

Class Warfare at its dirtiest.

[NightWatcher]

19. we need to fight back, else we get slaughtered

[Vinnie From Indy]

20. Another of a thousand cuts on working American men & women!

I will bet that the "details" will amount to Congress facilitating the additional offshoring of hundreds of thousands of American jobs in addition to constructing legal protections for corporations to rape and pillage at will.

[bvar22]

25. I didn't expect this from Pelosi.

Looks like Pelosi got her seat at the Rich White Man's Table.
She has turned her back on us.

I can hear Rham, McAuliff, and Clinton laughing in the smoke filled back room, "What are they going to do? Vote for a Republican? HAHAHAHAHA!"

This is NOT OK.


The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[MuseRider]

44. !

"What are they going to do? Vote for a Republican? HAHAHAHAHA!"

That is exactly what they are saying and it is what they have been saying as we blindly vote Dem and "know" it will be better. Not looking good for the better part, at least not for we the people.

It certainly is NOT OK! My children should not have to spend their adult lives being tokens for the rich to play with.

Well said.

[madfloridian]

27. Kick.

recommended

[annabanana]

28. done, (Thanks). . . . . . . . n/t

[w4rma]

29. This is why I am fighting against Hillary's nomination for Democratic nominee. (nt)

[Pastiche423]

30. Done, kicked and recommended

[patrice]

31. Okay, but I'm confused by this . . .

"DEAL MAKES SURE TO PREVENT UNIONS FROM HAVING LESS RIGHTS THAN CORPORATIONS" shouldn't that be "Deal makes sure to ensure Unions have less rights than Corporations"?

[earth mom]

32. Say Goodbye USA-Hello North American Union & Hello King George.

I am so sick of the DINOS/DLCers! This crap of theirs will be the death of the USA. :grr:

They are leading the United States towards a North American Union which means the USA and the Constitution will be Dead, Over, Finis. :puke:

[patrice]

33. Done.

Thom Hartmann was talking about this last week. I'll bet he'd like some follow up from subject-matter experts.

[ToeBot]

35. So, who will they get to convince the 'malcontents' that this is a good thing?

Ya know it's coming, who will it be?

[joanski0]

36. Done. Thanks. n/t

[KoKo]

69. ....

[cyberpj]

37. Unions, environmental groups, small businesses and most of US Congress excluded!

PUBLIC CITIZEN ASKS PUBLIC TO MAKE ITS VOICE HEARD IN OPPOSITION: Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch sent out an urgent email alert calling on the progressive movement to contact Members of Congress demanding they reject the deal.

Public Citizen said the deal specifically refuses to "de-NAFTA-fyi trade agreements by removing the bans on anti-off-shoring and Buy America policies, or the outrageous foreign investor rights that facilitate off-shoring and attacks on our health and environmental laws" adding that this is "a scenario where some truly tasty icing has been spread over a deeply rotten cake."

The group confirmed that "Unions, environmental groups, small businesses, and (most outrageously) most members of the U.S. Congress were excluded from the negotiations, had NO access to the various documents and texts and had no say — and in fact no notice — on the deal."

[mod mom]

64. DLC sees it as more $ for their corporate masters even though it's destroying

our middle class, exporting jobs, and is a national security issue (who is to say that one day, those countries taking over our manufacturing won't be our enemies. I do bellieve * has pissed off a few nations in the last 6 years).

DLC=DEMS who LOVE CORPORATIONS! BAD for America!

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. And look what I got when I posted this the other night

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x864578#864681

[cyberpj]

39. Sorry you had to endure that. It happens here. Some paranoia sometimes. nt

[bread_and_roses]

62. As if it was completely incredible that Dems would sell out to Corporations

...ROFL. And where are those nay-sayers now? What does it take for some people to get it? I am particularly disappointed in Pelosi, though. I guess some spark of faith lingers even in my cynical soul, since I actually let myself have hopes for her.

[proud2BlibKansan]

63. The naysayers have remained silent

hmmmm :eyes:

[cyberpj]

40. NY TIMES: Pelosi To Potentially Defy Majority of House Dems (Pelosi, Rangel and Baucus sell out)

Immediately after the press conference, the New York Times reports that Pelosi, Rangel and Baucus appear to be cutting a “deal” with Bush that the majority of Democrats do not support “Despite the endorsement of Rangel and Pelosi,” the Times wrote, “many Democrats say that half or more of the Democrats in Congress may vote against the deal.” The Times also notes that the deal “paves the way” for Congress to grant Bush’s request to reauthorize fast track authority - the authority that allows presidents to eliminate basic labor, human rights and environmental protections from trade pacts. The Associated Press soon reports that “a half-dozen House Democrats with strong labor ties, watching the news conference from the back of the room, later expressed strong dissatisfaction” with the deal and the process used to make a deal. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) says, “The strongest voices for workers and the environment were not included” in the negotiations and were not informed of the deal. Similarly, Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME) says, “I’m very disappointed that Speaker Pelosi held a press conference before meeting with the caucus. In a democratic process Democrats ought to know.” None of the stories include any comment from representatives of labor, human rights or environmental organizations.

- Both a news release from Pelosi and a document sent to Capitol Hill staffers from Baucus’s Senate Finance Committee about an hour after the press conference trumpets new labor protections in the deal, but does not say that multinational unions will be able to go to courts to demand enforcement of labor laws - a key privilege multinational corporations currently have in working to dismantle federal and state consumer protection, environmental and labor laws at a cost of at least $1.8 billion to U.S. taxpayers.

- An hour after the press conference, the Associated Press reports that Rangel says the trade deal was designed by those who “didn’t want the U.S. trade representative to be a lobbyist just for U.S. businesses.” The same AP story reports that several of Washington’s most powerful corporate lobbying groups offered effusive praise for the deal.


See: TIMELINE: The Secret Bush-Democratic Trade Deal & What It Means
http://davidsirota.com/

[KoKo]

41. Please sign that Petition from "Public Citizen" or go Contact your Reps!

http://www.house.gov/

[sandyd921]

43. Why the hell are we telling

Peru they can't reverse privatizaton of their social security system?!!? That's a provision of this :wtf: trade deal! We don't want it here so we tell Peru they have to have it? That, in addition to the provisions that put all the cards in the corportations' hands. I've had more than enough of DLC repuke-lite Dems. I hope those who repeatedly defend them will finally see the light.

[KoKo]

45. Since when are we involved in Peru's SS System...was what I wondered!

What the hell is that all about? City Bank involved with Peru and "pesioners?" I didn't know Peru even had a SS system! :shrug:

[Rainscents]

46. Done!

[loudsue]

47. This needs to be posted on a week day, when congress CAN be contacted!

Keep this to the forefront, KoKo, so that we can let everyone know when Monday rolls around.

Thanks for the heads up on this!!! It pisses me off no end. And all the DUers on here that apologize for the DLC, they can all go take a hike on a melting glacier.

:kick::kick::kick: & R

[KoKo]

51. I'll keep it kicked. Sign the "Public Service" letter that I linked, though

because those letters will be accumulating ALL WEEKEND to be sent to Congress. I'm going to get on the phone Monday to Brad Miller and David Price about this!

We need to keep on it...and thanks for replying! :hi:

[diane in sf]

52. done, disgusting, I expected better of Pelosi

I'll be calling and complaining on Monday.

[ClayZ]

53. Done, Thanks.... K and R

[upi402]

54. Is there an opposition party somewhere???

nope!
corporatism will bleed US pale.

[magellan]

55. This is why I laugh when people say things will change in '09

[katsy]

56. k/r

Monday morning... Telephone your reps, Rangel & Nancy Pelosi. Send snail mail & email (which I doubt they read).

Although not involved, I'd like to hear the reactions from Edwards, Clinton & Obama.

[Divine Discontent]

57. my parents have been ALL over this in emails for months

saying how we're being sold out... this is sad, but I have to call it like I see it... we've got a bunch of frauds in congress...

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- check it out, top '08 stuff

[AzDar]

58. K & R n/t

[Manifestor_of_Light]

59. We need REAL liberals and socialists back.

No socialists anywhere.

Where's Norman Thomas when you NEED him???? Agghh.

We should all join the Wobblies.

[Wiley50]

60. K&R

[bread_and_roses]

61. another link for a letter to Congress

here:
http://action.citizen.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=11354

[MrPrax]

66. Prayers to the Heartbroken...

and nothing for Reagan-era 'conservatives' that work to 'stay the course' by all means necessary. The only good reason that many of these rightwingers are in the democrats is that they can't work with the fundamentalists.

Hint Hint...maybe real democrats should develop their own 'no-nonsense' block based on traditional populist positions designed largely to drive these people BACK to the GOP. You might not GET stuff, but you can 'fuck' shit up just like the DLC.

Best way to do it; reach out to your counterparts in the GOP who aren't too happy with their lobbyist party either. They're are a lot of broken hearts on that side as well -- and they are not monsters, they are concerned people like you.

[bread_and_roses]

67. Kicking for the early afternoon crowd (n/t)

[Upfront]

68. New party

Never thought I would say this but I am now ready for a new party that represents the people. The DLC doesn't and now it looks like our house leader has sold out.

[KoKo]

70. Lou Dobbs had David Sirota On talking about THIS! Please Reply to Demns

about this "Secret Deal!"

I love our Dems but this one has the "Earmarks of "Chamber of Congress" (Business Interests) written all over it and that means that "K Street" is trying to run our DEMOCRATS!

TIME TO STAND UP AGAINST THIS IS NOW!!!!!!

SIGN IT...I did ...and I'm a Privacy Freak who doesn't give out my name...but this was SO IMPORTANT ...I had to DO IT!

Please SIGN! We of "little voice" need to do WHATEVER WE CAN TO FIGHT BACK!!!

[KoKo]

73. Thanks David! This is important...

a "sneak attack" by our Dems...not what we were looking for. Even if it was a "Trade Off" to get Benchmarks for Iraq Vote...it' still looks dirty...and we need to let them know that their Lefties and others who are "watching" aren't going to stand for any more "Secret Deals" done in the dark of night!

:hi:

[David Zephyr]

71. Kick.

:thumbsup:

[bonito]

74. Kick