Among other things ... the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) empowers Corporations to sue local Government over "lost profit" -- that result from environmental regulations.
Trans-Pacific Partnership
sierraclub.org
The United States is currently negotiating an expansive free trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), with Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. Eventually, every Pacific Rim nation may be included.
The Sierra Club is deeply concerned about the lack of transparency in the TPP negotiations and the environmental implications agreement. Here's why:
• Extreme Secrecy. [...]
• Threat to Forests, Wildlife, and Fish. [...]
• Unfettered Rights to Corporations. The TPP will include provisions that give corporations the right to sue a government for unlimited cash compensation -- in private and non-transparent tribunals -- over nearly any law or policy that a corporation alleges will reduce its profits. Using similar rules in other free trade agreements, corporations such as Exxon Mobil and Dow Chemical have launched nearly 600 cases against nearly 100 governments. Dozens of cases attack common-sense environmental laws and regulations, such as regulations to protect communities and the environment from harmful chemicals or mining practices. Read more here about how harmful investment rules included in other trade pacts have led to the attack of climate and environmental policies.
• Increase in Dirty Fracking. [...]
With corporate "perks" like that,
no wonder they want to keep the TPP fine print --
secret.
Here are what a few other groups think, about the secret Corporate give-aways, buried in the fine print of the TPP free trade agreement.
In a word, most of us don't like it. For a multitude of varied reasons:
Growing Chorus of Diverse Voices Rejects TPP
Jacob Devaney, huffingtonpost.com -- 01/09/2015
[...] A chorus of voices and organizations from all sides of the political spectrum have expressed grave concerns and opposition to the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership. The agreement known as TPP has been negotiated in secret behind closed doors and crafted by lobbyists, bankers and corporate leaders.
[...]
Labor organizers like AFL-CIO have launched a campaign exposing the TPP for its dangers to American Workers:
[...]
Health advocates like Organic Consumers Association accuse TPP of "crushing local democracy":
[...]
Curtis Ellis recently showed numerous polls backing the sentiment that, Conservatives Oppose Fast Track.
[...]
Senator Bernie Sanders has formally requested to see the text in the TPP
[...]
When so many citizen groups oppose giving Multi-national Corporations even MORE power than they already have --
perhaps those proposing these Corporate-gifts
[lobbyists, bankers and corporate leaders],
need to explain Why ... this enhanced capacity to sue local governments, among other things, is even needed?
Isn't it supposed to be "Government for the People" -- and Not for the Corporations -- who might want to put the People 'on the hook', for their "lost regulatory profits"?