Liberals, you have your wish–the Republicans in Congress are now reaching out to President Obama. How many of you actually like it?
I’m referring, of course, to the fast-track authority regarding the Pacific Free Trade Agreement. For those of you who may not be following this, here’s a recent article.
Nancy Pelosi, who claims to be one of Obama’s best allies, voted against it.
So–without Republicans, Obama’s plan would be dead in the water. Kind of interesting.
I for one like it. I have no strong opinions on the TPA so the result doesn’t bother me and to see a vote not line up straight along party lines once in a while is a good thing.
Frankly, it shouldn’t be interesting. The rampant partisanship, where the votes on everything are split almost entirely down party lines, is killing our political system.
Representatives are supposed to represent the people of their district, not the Party Platform. So, I welcome some bi-partisan agreements that aren’t just praising the troops or outlawing puppy kicking, but real legislation where representatives apply a bit of personal initiative and thought to their vote, instead of just asking the party leader for their position.
That makes so much sense: that who’s working with whom should matter more than what it is that they’re working on.
Personally, I’m in favor of the TPP, too, so I don’t see any reason to see this as a bad thing. However, it’s something that’s way down on my list of important issues, so I don’t see it as all that great a thing, either. Shrug.
I’m good with it. I’m agnostic on the TPP, so I’m not particularly excited about it.
I think we will find the TPP is great for corporations and not so great for individuals.
More a debate thing than election related.
Off to Great Debates!
Same as my fellow posters above me, I’m good with the GOP working with Obama on this, okay with the debate and don’t have any strong feelings on the trade agreement itself.
To play the reverse, I’m also good with Pelosi & Co. not just signing off on whatever the president wants for party reasons.
I see this as two separate issues:
The PFTA
Fast Track
One can be for the PFTA, in principle, but still not want to grant carte blanche to the prez.
I like the idea about voting for bills that senators/reps have never read.
The “fast Track” thing also allows the treaty to do things that won’t be known for 4 years after passage.
Talk about buying a pig in a poke…
What’s the PFTA? (Looks like someone was trying to type ‘PETA’, but hit the wrong key.) There’s the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Is this something different, or another name for the same thing?
According to Saint Carlin, when the parties work together it means some larger than usual deception is afoot.
I’m sure the Beltway Broderite crowd is loving the responsible governance and sober statesmanship.
On the matter of High Broderism, I take Obama at his word, the poor fool thought that intelligent and useful legislation would, by its very nature, attract bi-partisan support. I would have thought that the hysteria that greeted his ACA effort would have convinced him otherwise. The alleged “secrecy” doesn’t bother me, I wouldn’t understand a high-falutin’ trade agreement without a ten hour Ted talk, anyway.
When it comes for serving the real power in the US, the republicans and democrats always co-operate. A secret deal that republicans and democrats agree on all but guarantees that this is a way for plutocrats and multinationals to fuck over the average American. They make a big show out of fighting over the little stuff, but for the stuff that truly matters as to whether or not Americans are free and empowered, they’re both solidly in the same camp.
It doesn’t actually.
Any agreement reached still needs to be ratified. Fast track authority does have Congress agreeing to constrain the ratification process. It’s a a strict up or down vote with no amendments allowed at that point. It can’t die in committee. There’s a limit on time before the vote. The whole agreement will be on the table before that vote though.
Presidential Fast Track Authority, at a WAG.
(Wild-Assed Guess, just in case anybody needs to ask)
How do you feel NAFTA worked out for American workers? Mexican workers? Neither benefited from that trade deal, so it’s hard to imagine this deal won’t be “a bad thing” this time too.
Wait, the GOP voted for fast-track authority, or for the treaty?
Because I can see them wanting a quick up-or-down vote on the treaty, so they can get back to useless votes to repeal ACA or whatever. That doesn’t mean they have to vote for the treaty itself.
Interview with Julian Assange on the TPP agreement contents. Sounds like a great way to funnel taxpayer dollars to multi-national corporations faster than ever.