The TPP makes me see red. Deep, job-losing, environment-harming red.
When NAFTA was a thing, lots of folks basically ignored it... to our national peril. Labor didn't ignore it, nor did smart policy groups. But the pres was a dem and, gee, how could that dem harm us?
We now know know how NAFTA harmed us. We know how Bill Clinton sent jobs overseas. We also know that our current dem president is on the same path. Supported by republicans, generally, the president I voted for, the president whose stickers I still have on the back of my car (really pissed off the cons in my red county and trust me I have been accosted almost everywhere for it but I could care less) is now doing what Bill Clinton didn't even dream of.
Then I got this piece of work from OFA/Obama:
(my name)--
I want to set the record straight.
Right now, we have an opportunity to set the most progressive trade agreement in our nation's history -- with enforceable labor and environmental protections we simply can't count on other nations to pursue.
Here's why this means so much to me: I want to make sure that any deal we reach reflects our nation's values, in a way that hasn't always been true in the past. That's why I've said I'll refuse to sign any agreement that doesn't put American workers first.
But as long as 95 percent of our potential customers live outside our borders, we don't have the option to sit back and let others set the rules. We need to take this opportunity to level the playing field -- because when we're competing on equal ground, American workers win.
If you agree it's important for America to lead on trade, join OFA supporters by adding your name today.
I've staked my presidency on middle-class economics, and fought hard for policies that ensure that anyone who's willing to work hard and play by the rules can get a fair shot.
We've made a lot of progress over the past six years -- rebounding from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, strengthening our manufacturing sector, and growing forward-looking industries like renewable energy.
We can't go back -- and we can't leave it to nations like China to write the rules for the global economy.
This is personal for me. I understand the skepticism about this, or any, trade deal. I've met folks across the country who still feel burned by agreements of the past. Those are the people I came to Washington to fight for.
That's what this is about for me. This is our chance to do better, to get it right.
I hope you'll agree. Over the last few months, OFA supporters across the country have stood up to ask the hard questions on this issue -- to make sure the outcome is good not just for our economy, but for working families.
If you want to see America lead the way to establish a truly progressive trade agreement, add your name with OFA today:
http://my.barackobama.com/...
Thank you,
Barack Obama
I don't know about you, but I almost threw up when I read this. I was so angry--so insulted--that I just wanted to call the White House and pitch a fit.
So I did.
I hope you will, too.
BTW, the number is: (202) 456-1111
Tell our transparency president that looks out for workers, no thanks. Let him know you are not buying that bullshit.