Discussion: Senate Democrats Block Vote On Trade Deal

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21

Very disingenuous to have Warren’s picture with this article. She had nothing to do with this filibuster.

The Dems are doing the RIGHT THING for the WRONG REASON.

The Dems blocking the vote are Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR); Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.).

They are not blocking it because they are opposed to the TPP, or even that they are opposed to “Fast Track.” They are the “compromisers coalition.” They WANT Fast Track, and the TPP. Look at the names on that list. They are TEAM OBAMA. They are just using this “stinging rebuke to Obama” as a smokescreen to cover the fact that they are going to give Obama everything he wants.

“This is a group that is thoroughly committed to getting this bill passed,” said the group leader, Sen. Wyden. In other words, this is all kabuki theatre.

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22

Ron Wyden was quite recently assuring the American people that this trade agreement was all well and good. Shortly thereafter, a petition was going around warning him that he might be in danger of being primaried if he didn’t get on the right side against this travesty. Looks like he’s now pretending.

Elizabeth Warren has been, along with Sherrod Brown, leading the opposition --not Ron Wyden.

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23

What undermines Obama’s ability to conclude negotiations is all the secrecy surrounding those negotiations. I have supported Obama in large measure because of his promises of transparency, but with all the speculation about TPP, and in the absence of a full and public discussion of it, it is no surprise that there has been so much opposition to “fast track” authority. American workers have been screwed too many times and are not about to blindly support something that is so strongly supported by Republicans and Corporate leaders. There is no way they will willingly give the President unfettered authority to complete negotiations without knowing any specifics of the deal. Obama is doing a great disservice to himself, not to mention the American people by pursuing this in such a manner. What does Mr Abraham and Pres. Obama think will happen with our negotiating partners if a done deal is finally released subject only to an up or down vote, and the vote is “NO?”

The President’s handling of this is very disappointing!

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I voted for Obama twice. He’s done a lot of good things. He asked us to hold him accountable. We’re doing just that.

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25

But how do you hold an agreement together with 11 different countries, each with their widely divergent interests, if you negotiate in public? When have these trade deals been publicly conducted? And do you prefer Obama and his people to craft the deal with those nations or the Republicans?

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26

All I know is that these trade deals hurt blue collar workers more than anything or anyone. It may be nice to believe that all we need are high tech jobs to satisfy business in this country, and everything will be fine for our future…but not everyone is a high tech worker, nor will it realistically ever be like that for the country as a whole. Especially, not when higher education is so expensive these days, and going to get an advanced degree risks putting you in serious long-term debt. That kind of upward mobility isn’t even the same as it was when I went to college. Its become way overpriced for many families.

No. These trade deals hurt the middle of the country most. Maybe not the east or west coast as much…but the industrial heartland is still feeling the burn off of CAFTA and NAFTA deals in many ways. It decimated working-class communities in so many ways. Who watches out for those people I wonder.

I want to know what’s in this deal first before they “fast-track” the thing. I heard on Maddow’s show or one of them, that once this deal goes through, any President from here on out won’t even need to go to Congress at all to finalize a deal in the future. This deal, TPP takes it out of their hands completely after this is signed for all future trade agreements.

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27

I agree. Now if he would have gotten rid of Arne Duncan too that would have made a huge difference these last 6 years regarding education in this country. I don’t even give a shit about fucking drones per se…but education, Duncan’s been a muddled disaster. Democrats could have done a lot better since it is an issue we happen to care deeply about.

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28

I do hear ya. Personally, I was never in favor of the 60-vote threshold but I grudgingly accept it because the Senate has the right to set its own rules, so long as they actually live by them.

I lived in San Francisco for 17 years and I can tell you that unless there is natural disasters, the state is treated pretty much like a cash cow meant for ATM-style use by politicians of both parties (witness Rand Paul visiting the SOMA district in SF, my old neighborhood, for Silicon Valley money. Yes, Democrats get the lion’s share of the dough but others do rather well there). The last major project that got the green light from Congress was the Presidio, the old army base, getting established as a national park – but with conditions that the park pretty much pay for itself with user fees, etc., with little or no money coming from Washington, D.C. The bullet train has been a laughing joke with how it’s been handled from the beginning–local politics really–and I don’t think Congress ever expected to become a reality so they’d be on the hook for very little in the end.

Me, personally, I’ve never felt Texas was a “fly-over” state, but I will cop to laughing at a joke or two (mostly because of Republicans, anti-science school curriculum textbooks that affect other states, etc.). A few of my old friends were born and raised in the Lone Star State, went to college in Austin when GWBush was in the State House. They live in CA now, but even they have cracked a number of jokes about TX – some that had to be explained to a non-Texan like myself. :o)

Texas Dems should collectively threaten to withhold donation dollars if they feel slighted. Please know, I do understand.

All that said, it sounds like you and I are pretty similar, politically speaking. Also, until and unless our nation changes our electoral college system–something I support–many places like Texas, NY CA, etc., will always be used as a cash machine with little real substance in concerns to the issues these places hold near and dear.

I hope your evening is going well. Here in Central Virginia, it’s been a pretty typical spring. Mostly nice, a bit more humid than it should be … but … Anyway, take care.

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I wish I could give you a hundred (hearts) for this post. I have made these points with friends and family. We are mostly not a family full of high-tech geeky people (that’s not at all meant to be slander) – we’re more physical labor, etc., but are very bright, just not that into owning an iPhone, apple watch, refrigerator that takes note of who opened the door, what they did or didn’t do (and send that info to someone!! … but that’s another story), write programs, etc. Not everyone is like that, not everyone WANTS to be like that. Our economic structure needs to be sharp and cutting edge, yes, but it must have places for us all. Also, your mention of mobility is SpotOn! Thank you!!

30

Your question is very valid and good. However, even in the European Union, the public is provided with some basic details and updates. I wish the United States would do at least that. In my opinion, the non-transparency with regards to these “negotiations” between the Big Corporations, Trade Reps, select politicians from each potential signatory, etc., was totally the wrong way to go. There was no reason for this except for keeping the public at-large in the dark until the very last few minutes (60-days or 90-days is nothing when compared to how many years these talks have been going on) before Congress must vote yea or nay. That’s a terrible way to push on the people something so very important and something that really must be done – but would have been nice to do a better job from the beginning.

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I donate to Dem POTUS candidates and the DCCC on the strength of Nancy Pelosi’s performance as House speaker and Minority Leader. She delivers. Love your state. Went to Newport News/Williamsburg last June and Lynchburg last January. Got a trip to Richmond planned in January next year. Have a good evening too…

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32

I got an email from OFA just before the vote asking for my signature on some petition. Pound sand! Obama’s new BFF John Boehner can dry the president’s tears.

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33

I’ve heard that, and maybe it’s because the EU is a semi-federation of sovereign nations sharing a common currency. They might have more experience with, and less nervousness over, multilateral agreements.

And I still don’t understand the disparity between American reaction to the Asian trade deal – which borders on hysteria – and the near-nonchalance about a Europe trade deal, which is also currently being negotiated. From the reactions, you’d think that Asia was ready to eat our lunch, or that big business was going to sell us out to the Yellow Peril. But Europe? Snoozers.

34

I’m glad you mentioned Pelosi – that’s who I’ve been wanting to hear from throughout this issue.

The Republicans said they might want to introduce this bill in the House, and she’ll be a big factor in Democratic support there.

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35

*or that big business was going to sell us out *

Of course they are. They wrote the TPP to benefit the C-suite and the hedge fund managers. The workers are disposable (human) resources.

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36

No one is being “kept in the dark”. Congress can request to see the draft at any time and there’s been publicly posted information about the TPP on the USTR’s web site for quite a long time.

…until the very last few minutes (60-days or 90-days is nothing when compared to how many years these talks have been going on) before Congress must vote yea or nay.

Except that there is a mandated 6 month period of public debate before the final vote. Hardly a “last few minutes”.

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37

looks like ron wyden has figured out which way the wind is blowing.

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38

Thank you. Unless I missed it–which is totally possible–this mention of a mandated six-month public debate period is the first I’ve heard of that length of time. With regards to Congress members requesting “to see the draft at any time,” that’s not far enough for me, as they are prohibited from discussing what they know with us – but I understand that’s how it is.

Frankly, part of why this whole process burns my ass is that the huge corporations are sitting right there at the negotiating table – as they always have. Nobody like me, a John Q. Public, is represented at all. Knowing that there is discussion on how IP will be affected every which way from Sunday, etc., but nothing to speak of with questions about us lowly workers – and there are millions of us.

It’s not you, personally, counter_coulter, but I’m tired of trying to explain my position(s) on this. IMHO, the rules-of-the-game with how these “negotiations” were set up unfairly from the start. Seriously, I expected better. I also thought I (and those like me) counted.

I will almost always keep hope in my heart, but I’m not expecting much in the months to come nor after the agreement goes into effect. Thank you.

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39

But they did vote no for a reason not just kabuki theatre

40

I hear you and I sympathize with your view. It is frustrating that our side (middle, working class) never really seems to get a seat at the table, but, unfortunately, that just seems to be the way it’s been with foreign policy (and a lot of other policy) since…ever. One would hope that we would get representation from our elected congressfolk, but that always seems a bridge too far what with gerrymandered districts and big money involved.

I’m glad it’s not personal :slight_smile: I too have grown weary “defending” the TPP from people with whom I’m on the same side of every other issue, but I feel it necessary in this case because there really are a lot of good “progressive” ideas in this trade agreement.

Obviously we won’t know the full impact until after it goes in to effect, but I am hopeful about its outcome. Thank you as well.

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