No TPP Fast Track! Civil Rights Trump Corporate Greed!

“On January 9th, Representative Dave Camp (R-MI) and Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) introduced “Fast Track” legislation that would enable the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other free trade agreements to be signed by the White House before the public gets to see them. Then the TPP would be rushed through Congress circumventing ordinary review, amendment and debate procedures.”
It is critical to do a major push by putting in calls to U.S. Reps. All you have to do is leave a message urging your representative to oppose a fast track for the (TPP) “Free” Trade Agreement (FTA). It only frees foreign companies to ignore US law, human rights and civil rights.

Here’s the skinny:  For three years, a group of some 600 multinational corporations and trade associations have been quietly negotiating a trade pact IN SECRET that could void American laws that protect workers, jobs, health, and the environment.

During negotiations here last summer, news leaked of some of the provisions U.S. trade officials were prepared to approve, and a public outcry derailed the talks. US Trade Representative Ron Kirk resigned in disgust. Now Michael Froman, the new U.S. Trade Representative, is pushing to renew “fast track” authority so President Obama can sign the agreement then force a quick vote in Congress without any public scrutiny, floor debate, or revisions.

Rep. Keith Ellison called TPP “the largest corporate power grab you’ve never heard of.” Elizabeth Warren voted against Froman’s confirmation this summer. She said:  “I have heard the argument that transparency would undermine the Trade Representative’s policy to complete the trade agreement because public opposition would be significant.” Warren explained,
“In other words, if people knew what was going on, they would stop it. This argument is exactly backwards. If transparency would lead to widespread public opposition to a trade agreement, then that trade agreement should not be the policy of the United States.”

The only TPP language made public was leaked in 2012:
Foreign companies would have “preferred status” – granting them greater rights within our borders than our own companies enjoy. U.S. companies would have more incentives to offshore jobs, and foreign companies would not be bound by the minimum wage and could sue the U.S. if our health, safety, or environmental regulations interfered with their profits. The decisions of an international business group would supersede our own laws and our Constitution.  Corporate rights cannot be allowed to trump human rights and civil rights. .

Help Stop the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Fast Track to Unfair Trade.
We deserve fair trade,
human rights
and civil rights
for everyday people.

Please sign the petition
(link below) and tell
Congress and the rest
of your leaders to reject this corporate give-away.
http://act.350.org/sign/tpp/?sp_ref=26380521.6.2125.f.9196.2

And Find your Representative here:
www.house.gov/representatives/find

Find the rest of your public officials here:
https://thepeaceresource.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/stand-up-speak-out-take-action-contact-elected-officials/

Here are phone numbers for Oregon:

Earl Blumenauer: 202-225-4811 or 503-231-2300

Suzanne Bonamici: (202) 225-0855 or (503) 469-6010

Here is a message script:

Hi, my name is ________________ and I’m a constituent calling from Portland.

I’m calling to tell Rep. … to say NO to fast-track trade authority and NO to secret unfair trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

For three years, 600 transnational corporations and trade associations have been
secretly negotiating a trade pactthat could void American laws protecting workers, jobs, health, and the environment. The so-called “fast track” authority would allow President Obama can sign the agreement first, and then force a quick vote in Congress without public scrutiny, floor debate, or revisions.

Foreign companies would have “preferred status” – granting them greater rights within our borders than our own companies enjoy. U.S. companies would have more incentives to offshore jobs and foreign companies would not be bound by
the minimum wage and could sue the U.S. if our health, safety, or environmental regulations interfered with their profits. Jurisdiction over such suits would rest not in the hands of elected officials or judges, but with an international business tribunal. Their decisions, which would be binding upon all member nations, would supersede our own laws – including our Constitution.

You were elected to enforce and obey the law, not to skirt it or rewrite it. Stop this unconstitutional and illegal attempt to deprive everyday Americans of their rights and put a transnational coalition in charge.

Sincerely, ________________________
A concerned American who opposes unfair trade deals.

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