Journalist and talk show host Bankole Thompson interviewed me about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (aka Obamatrade), a trade bill being fast-tracked through the U.S. Senate. To listen to our conversation, please click on the audio player here.
One of the biggest complaints about Obamatrade is that it is shrouded in secrecy. For example, Breitbart News reports that Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) had to go inside a secret room in the U.S. Capitol to read a draft of the Obamatrade document. This secret trade deal is hidden behind double doors that each has signs: "No Public or Media Beyond This Point." Senator Rand Paul said the "secretive" process hurts the "cause" of Obamatrade. In addition, he thinks the Obama administration should publicly release the details of the deal.
Another alarming aspect of Obamatrade is what some claim will happen to anyone who discloses the contents of the secret trade deal. Obamatrade "cleared advisor" Michael Wessel writes the following in a Politico Magazine article: ... anyone who has read the text of the agreement could be jailed for disclosing its contents. Now, if this doesn't give one cause for alarm, I don't know what will.
The U.S. economy lost approximately 700,000 jobs because of another trade agreement - the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Some experts believe that NAFTA rendered the U.S. uncompetitive in the world. Our manufacturing base was decimated - especially in once prosperous cities such as Detroit. This city has been ravaged by NAFTA and now looks like a war zone.
So what impact will the secretive Obamatrade deal have on jobs for Americans in America? Will our cities eventually go the way of Detroit--looking more like Delhi than Denver? Will this secret fast-track process become the new "democratic" congressional process-- one man no vote? Lean in or lean over?