John Oliver in his raucous and informative HBO television show Last Week Tonight covered the issue of Tobacco and international effects of trade regulations already in effect. Which reminded me of the still being pushed forward new international Trade agreement currently under development, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Keep in mind there have been leaks about the proposed TPP (even though it's been kept secret, for the most part), and most of them note it will be like NAFTA on steroids, including ISDS (investor state dispute settlements) in lieu of nation-based judicial courts. Countless news organizations have reported on the TPP.
Like the Guardian, which covered this issue, in depth, here in Why support the TPP when it will let foreign corporations take our democracies to court? by Melissa Parke.
But I haven't seen anyone, anywhere explain, with examples, how the idea that corporations should be allowed to sue a nation for restricting it's future possible revenues by instituting new laws on things like work safety regulations or health safety concerns or environmental pollution regulations is one fraught with danger for us and our children and their children, too.
Let John explain it for you, in case you missed this episode (most of which are available on the HBO YouTube channel subsite, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver). This episode was originally broadcast on Feb 15, 2015.
So I am NOT for this new trade agreement.
Why would the discussion of the contents of a Trade Agreement, which would become public record and available to all, once signed and ratified by a President of the United States, be such cause for secrecy?
I can only imagine that there are elements of this coming trade agreement which the primary actors (diplomats, lobbyists, etc.) would prefer not be open to public notice until after it becomes a done deal.
Which means that you and I should probably be afraid of the consequences of this thing, in light of what already existing trade agreements and Int'l Law make available as routes to recompense for big, international corporations.
I'd complain to my US Rep, but she's Jaime Herrera Beutler (R) of WA-03, and her mentor on her route to the Office she currently holds was none other than the appalling Cathy McMorris Rodgers (who recently got a Facebook smack down of epic proportions when she asked about ACA horror stories, diaried here by FPer Jen Hayden). So, it's a bit of wasted effort on my part.
But I have noted my concerns to the Staff of my US Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell about this prospective agreement and it's possible effects on our state and it's citizens if foreign corporations sue our State for improving worker security and safety - and win.
I hope all of you will do the same.
My wish for America and her people?
#StrongerTogether for a better future for OUR posterity