Congress Approves Greater Corporate Predation

by Stephen Lendman

On June 18, House members narrowly approved fast track Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) - using procedural gimmicks, bribes and heavy pressure, the usual way corrupt politicians operate.

On June 23, Senate members followed suit. A cloture motion to end debate passed - clearing the way for a Wednesday vote expected to support TPA.

Public Citizen President Robert Weissman commented saying:

The usual "legislative contortions an gimmicks…hand(ed) (corporate predators) their top priority" - the right to ram through Congress with minimal debate and no amendments anti-consumer rapacious trade deals no responsible societies would tolerate.

Overwhelming public opposition doesn't matter. So-called "free" trade deals are hugely unfair.

People know "these deals will means more export of jobs, more downward pressure on wages," said Weissman - plus more environmental destruction and loss of consumer protections.

Proposed TPP and TTIP trade bills are corporate scams - designed to rip off populations for maximum profits, no matter the cost to human lives and welfare.

They'll wreck public healthcare. They'll make it unaffordable for growing millions. They'll undermine food safety. They'll advance environmental destruction. Their secret provisions if made public would cause mass outrage.

Weissman struck a positive note saying when "the American people see what (are) actually in (these) agreements, they are going to force their representatives in Washington to vote (them) down."

Environmental organization 350.org executive director May Boeve expressed "outrage that Congress…voted to fast track pollution, rather than the job-creating clean energy we need to address climate change."

"It's clear this deal would extend the world’s dependence on fracked gas, forbid our negotiators from ever using trade agreements in the fight against global warming, and make it easier for big polluters to burn carbon while suing anyone who gets in the way."

"That’s why we’re so disappointed President Obama has taken up the banner for ramming this legislative pollution through the halls of Congress, in a way he never pushed for a climate bill."

Food and Water Watch executive director Wenonah Hauter said "(s)enators who who provided the margin of Fast Track victory will face angry voters in their next elections."

"Constituents will hold them accountable for putting the interests of transnational corporations ahead of the public."

Monied interests run things. Whatever they want, they get. Congressional support for fast track and nightmarish trade deals to follow alone show why America is unfit to live in.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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