...for recovering Democracies.
And of course, the first step must be preceded by recognizing and admitting that the country has a serious and debilitating addiction to Laissez Faire Capitalism.
Unfortunately, there are no signs whatsoever from the current leadership that suggests anything of the sort beyond empty platitudes. Just more happy talk about how great global competition is! For the winners. For the .01%.
Unless you think Fast Tracking the TPP is going to somehow employ you or rebuild our crumbling bridges. Or that being on the hook for Wall Streets next bubble is a "good thing".
There is a divide coming. On one side are the corporate Democrats pushing the Same Old Shit ( HRC), and on the other, people who genuinely want to reform. People like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. And the divide is stark.
Bernie Sanders on the TPP:
The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a disastrous trade agreement designed to protect the interests of the largest multi-national corporations at the expense of workers, consumers, the environment and the foundations of American democracy. It will also negatively impact some of the poorest people in the world.
Elizabeth Warren on the TPP:
“From what I hear, Wall Street, pharmaceuticals, telecom, big polluters and outsourcers are all salivating at the chance to rig the deal in the upcoming trade talks. So the question is, Why are the trade talks secret? You’ll love this answer. Boy, the things you learn on Capitol Hill,” Warren said. “I actually have had supporters of the deal say to me ‘They have to be secret, because if the American people knew what was actually in them, they would be opposed.’”
Obama on the TPP:
Obama Complains That TPP Critics Are 'Conspiracy Theorists' Who 'Lack Knowledge' About Negotiations
-----
“What we are seeing is momentum building around a Trans-Pacific Partnership that can spur greater economic growth, spur greater jobs growth, set high standards for trade and investment throughout the Asia Pacific," Obama said.
He called the TPP a "high priority" and said that strengthening U.S. leadership in the region "has been one of my top foreign policy priorities."
"Central to that objective is working with some of our most important trading partners to find ways in which we can facilitate increased growth for all of us, increased investment for all of us, improve jobs prospects for all of us," he said.
Someone is bullshitting us, that's for sure.
I have to wonder if our "Democracy" will survive at this point.
Here's the oh-so-painful steps:
1. Rebuilding Our Crumbling Infrastructure
2. Reversing Climate Change
3. Creating Worker Co-ops
4. Growing the Trade Union Movement
5. Raising the Minimum Wage
6. Pay Equity for Women Workers
7. Trade Policies that Benefit American Workers
8. Making College Affordable for All
9. Taking on Wall Street
10. Health Care as a Right for All
11. Protecting the Most Vulnerable Americans
12. Real Tax Reform
I'll let Mr. Sanders take it from here.