Right now, in a posh casino in Auckland, New Zealand, U.S. negotiators are working behind closed doors on a massive trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
It includes 11 countries but would be open for China and Russia to join later. It’s been branded a “free trade agreement,” but nothing about it involves “fair trade.” In fact, only five of its 29 chapters have anything to do with trade.
Most of the developing agreement is a grab by multinational corporations for even more control over our freedom.
The agreement would permit corporations to offshore jobs (something we need more of, don’t you think?), impose limits on bank regulation (and that after what virtually unregulated banks did to our economy over the last decade), and even ban the Buy American procurement preferences that reinvest our tax dollars locally to create jobs here.
All good stuff, eh? But wait. There’s more. The TPP would also require us to import food that does not meet U.S. safety standards. Do you really want to eat food such food?
This treaty has no expiration date. And these new rules would be strongly enforced through international tribunals empowered to impose trade sanctions and cash fines.
None of us would have any say in who makes up these tribunals. Nameless functionaries would have enormous power over our country.
The public and Congress know little about what U.S. negotiators are proposing in our names, but recent text leaks reveal the TPP would allow foreign corporations to attack U.S. land-use, health and safety laws, and even demand taxpayer compensation.
In other words, we could end up paying for safety regulations that protect all U.S. citizens.
I, for one, would appreciate more coverage of TPP in the Cumberland Times-News.
The good news? Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio has introduced the 21st Century Trade Agreements Act to stop trade agreements, which put foreign corporations before the American people.
During this lame duck session of Congress, our senators should co-sponsor that legislation.
Call, write, or email your senators asking for support for Sen. Brown’s proposal to protect our health, our jobs, and our sovereignty.
Her bill would bring the negotiations under congressional oversight and, most importantly, would require congressional approval.
Craig Etchison
Fort Ashby, W.Va.
Letters
This ‘fair’ trade agreement has nothing to do with fair trade
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Were they really good old days? You decide
When a fellow gets old, it’s not unusual for his mind to wander back to the days of his youth. He may forget where he laid his glasses five minutes ago, yet he can remember events that took place a half a century ago. This is one of the interesting things of old age.
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Wearing the poppy tells others people that you remember
On May 25, members of Farrady Unit 24 American Legion Auxiliary, Frostburg, will once again ask the citizens of the community to remember the sacrifices our veterans have made.
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Donating your old bike will help someone who really needs it
Once again Bikes for the World is collecting used bicycles at Canal Place, May 25 from 10 a.m. to noon,
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Hosting Fresh Air Children can be a memorable experience
I got a phone call, and a little voice said, “Hi Miss Linda, I’m calling to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day.”
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Stop buying licenses; let them find the money somewhere else
A few months ago, I received two cards from the National Rifle Association. These were dealing with a legislative alert.
They asked that I should contact Sen. George Edwards and Delegate Kevin Kelly concerning the anti-gun legislation. -
Strength of gun laws is not reflected in grisly statistics
According to the FBI’s uniform crime reports, California had the highest number of gun murders in 2011 with 1,220, which makes up 68 percent of all murders in the state that year and equates to 3.25 murders per 100,000 people.
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‘Forgotten warrior’ not forgotten
The Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War.” My generation remembers the Battle for LZ X-Ray at Ia Drang, The Tet Offensive, and Khe Sahn of the Vietnam War.
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Organization needed to help utilize the Potomac River
I am a committee remember on the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway which stretches from Palmetto to Venice, Fla.
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Reducing meat consumption can help ease climate change
A review of 12,000 papers on climate change, in the May 15 issue of “Environmental Research Letters,” found that 97 percent of scientists attribute climate change to human activities.
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Maryland has stopped being “The Free State”
I am a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and, last but not least, the National Rifle Association. I am a yearly member of the American Legion.
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Were they really good old days? You decide
