Big, bad things often get done--things that shred our economic security and undo some pretty basic constitutional ideas--because, after years and years of listening to sound bites and catchy phrases, it's easy to let the bi-partisan elites thunder ahead on very bad policy. That's the case with so-called "free trade." But, something is happening that is slowing down that monumentally foolish, and destructive, rush on very bad trade deals -- and it's connected to the broader revolt out there, sometimes quiet, sometimes noisy.
So, first, the news, courtesy of the people at Global Trade Watch, which has carried on this fight really going back to NAFTA. 151 Democratic members sent a letter to the president opposing so-called "fast track" authority when it comes to dealing with future trade agreements, particularly the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA). On top of that 25 House Republicans are in opposition to extending "Fast track" authority.
A quick explanation: "fast track" really is a euphemism for "ram it down your throats whether you like it or not". Democratic and Republican presidents love it because it gives them even more power, and there is no president, of either party, who doesn't want more power, Constitution be damned. Under "fast track", they can negotiate trade deals and under "fast track" rules, the deals had to be voted up or down, with NO AMENDMENTS ALLOWED.
Which is a big-time constitutional fuck-you: it basically hands over power to the executive and means your member of Congress has no right to raise his or her hand to fix a part that, say, might put in labor or environmental safeguards (I leave aside for a moment that I'm not a big believer in little fixes to these deals that are basically massive corporate protection and investment deals).
Which is also why, in the same way that Democrats and Republicans have loved these deals in the past, it's a positive sign that there is bi-partisan OPPOSITION, led by Democratic opposition to a Democratic president's power to use "Fast track".
Why is this happening? It's really another manifestation of the post-financial crisis/Occupy Wall Street world.
So-called "free trade" is a teensy bit harder to see than the collapse in a few days of the stock market or rows and rows of foreclosed homes or lines of unemployed workers--all courtesy of Jamie Dimon and his gang of thieves.
But, these deals have had an equally corrosive, deadly effect on people...spooned out, year after year, decade after decade by the same gang of thieves, and a whole lot of others. They've been very focused, mind you: every single one of the so-called "free trade" deals has, in one way or another, weakened the power of unions, undercut wages and sped along the race to the bottom.
And, most members of Congress being singularly focused on themselves and their future political prospects, are hearing the rumblings of the people. There have been real stalwarts fighting so-called "Free trade" for a very long time. But, the fact that those numbers are growing is about one thing: movements of people, angry people, frustrated people.
It's worth reprinting the entire letter to the president:
Dear President Obama:
We write to express our serious concern with the ongoing negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a potential agreement of tremendous consequence for our country. Specifically, we remain deeply troubled by the continued lack of adequate congressional consultation in many areas of the proposed pact that deeply implicates Congress’ constitutional and domestic policy authorities.
For some time, members of Congress have urged your administration to engage in broader and deeper consultations with members of the full range of committees of Congress whose jurisdiction touches on the numerous issues being negotiated. Many have raised concerns relating to reports about the agreement’s proposed content. While your Administration’s goal was to sign a TPP FTA at the October 2013 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, we believe that to date the process has failed to provide adequate consultation with Congress.
Such opportunity for input from Congress is critical as the TPP FTA will include binding obligations that touch upon a wide swath of policy matters under the authority of Congress.
Beyond traditional tariff issues, these include policies related to labor, patent and copyright, land use, food, agriculture and product standards, natural resources, the environment, professional licensing, competition, state-owned enterprises and government procurement policies, as well as financial, healthcare, energy, e-commerce, telecommunications and other service sector regulations.
In light of the broad scope of today’s trade agreements, it is even more vital that Congress have a fulsome role in shaping these pacts’ terms. Given our concerns, we will oppose “Fast Track” Trade Promotion Authority or any other mechanism delegating Congress’ constitutional authority over trade policy that continues to exclude us from having a meaningful role in the formative stages of trade agreements and throughout negotiating and approval processes.
Congress, not the Executive Branch, must determine when an agreement meets the objectives Congress sets in the exercise of its Article I-8 exclusive constitutional authority to set the terms of trade. For instance, an agreement that does not specifically meet congressional negotiating objectives must not receive preferential consideration in Congress. A new trade agreement negotiation and approval process that restores a robust role for Congress is essential to achieving U.S. trade agreements that can secure prosperity for the greatest number of Americans, while preserving the vital tenets of American democracy in the era of globalization.
Twentieth Century “Fast Track” is simply not appropriate for 21st Century agreements and must be replaced. The United States cannot afford another trade agreement that replicates the mistakes of the past. We can and must do better.
We are deeply committed to transforming U.S. trade policy into a tool for creating and retaining family-wage jobs in America, safeguarding the environment, maintaining consumer protection and improving the quality of life throughout the country. We look forward to working with you to ensure that Congress and the Executive Branch are working together to meet that critical goal.[emphasis added]
Let's be clear: opponents of so-called "free trade" have a long hard slog ahead, as it has been for three decades. This putrid policy has had broad two-party support.
But, this is positive.
And a reaffirmation that the growing revolt -- sometimes messy, sometimes halting, sometimes murky -- against a bankrupt economic system is having an influence that is making a difference.