WHERE: Greenburgh Town Hall 177 Hillside Ave, Greenburgh NY
WHEN: Tuesday, April 22th, 6:45pm
Currently, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is being negotiated in secret between the United States and Pacific Rim countries including Malaysia, Mexico, Japan, and Vietnam, which are 40% of the world economy. The massive proposed agreement would destroy jobs, eliminate regulatory protections, and allow international trade tribunals to overturn American laws. An example would be the Investment State Disput Settlement. In short, any law passed by state or federal government to protect the environment or jobs in America could be considered a barrier for free trade. This would allow foreign corporations to sue not for damages but for potential lost profits – making the ceiling for damages open to astronomical numbers with no recourse for those being sued!
Fast Track legislation, which would create a process to ram the agreement through Congress, was introduced in the Senate and House on January 9th. Fast Track legislation surrenders Congress’ Constitutional rights with respect to trade policy. Among other limitations to Congress’ authority, Fast Track forces an up-or-down, unamendable vote with limited debate on a final deal, preventing meaningful consultation or input, and straightjacketing opponents to the deal.
NAFTA and WTO, which like the TPP mostly cover issues not directly related to trade (such as tariffs or customs and border crossing), were pushed through using the Fast Track process. Fast Track legislation is vital to concluding the 12 nation negotiations on the TPP.
Politico and The New York Times have detailed growing bi-partisan opposition in Congress, with ideologically diverse groups and interests opposing Fast Tracking the negotiation process. To date, no House Democrat has been willing to co-prime-sponsor the legislation, which closely tracks 2002 legislation rejected by the large majority of Democrats.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 22th, 6:45pm
Fast Track legislation, which would create a process to ram the agreement through Congress, was introduced in the Senate and House on January 9th. Fast Track legislation surrenders Congress’ Constitutional rights with respect to trade policy. Among other limitations to Congress’ authority, Fast Track forces an up-or-down, unamendable vote with limited debate on a final deal, preventing meaningful consultation or input, and straightjacketing opponents to the deal.
NAFTA and WTO, which like the TPP mostly cover issues not directly related to trade (such as tariffs or customs and border crossing), were pushed through using the Fast Track process. Fast Track legislation is vital to concluding the 12 nation negotiations on the TPP.
Politico and The New York Times have detailed growing bi-partisan opposition in Congress, with ideologically diverse groups and interests opposing Fast Tracking the negotiation process. To date, no House Democrat has been willing to co-prime-sponsor the legislation, which closely tracks 2002 legislation rejected by the large majority of Democrats.
Wikileaks recently released leaked details of the secret agreement, covering intellectual property rights and Rx drug pricing and environmental issues. The leaked drafts confirm opponent’s fears. The TPP would destroy jobs, eliminate food safety standards, benefit Wall Street banks, and over-ride U.S. laws.
Representative Nita Lowey will be on hand to discuss what good trade should look like for America. Assembly members Shelley Mayer, David Buchwald will respond to the implications TPP will have to NYS. Present will also be representatives from Senator Latimer and Stewart-Cousins offices, Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body, Concerned Families of Westchester, Mount Vernon United Tenants, WESPAC, Lower Hudson Valley Chapter of Sierra Club, Food & Water Watch, Hudson River Presbytery Peru Partnership, Westchester MoveOn.org
Representative Nita Lowey will be on hand to discuss what good trade should look like for America. Assembly members Shelley Mayer, David Buchwald will respond to the implications TPP will have to NYS. Present will also be representatives from Senator Latimer and Stewart-Cousins offices, Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body, Concerned Families of Westchester, Mount Vernon United Tenants, WESPAC, Lower Hudson Valley Chapter of Sierra Club, Food & Water Watch, Hudson River Presbytery Peru Partnership, Westchester MoveOn.org
The meeting looked to me like a few young firebrands trying to make a name for themselves in order to become the next ruling class. Their approach was heavy handed and even featured a goon directing me where to sit. (I did not). I resented the obvious attempt at manipulation. When Nita Lowey is lead off in handcuffs for violating her alleged "secrecy oath" which prevents her, she claims, from discussing undermining the U.S Constitution, I will take it all seriously.
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