OMNI
US
WESTWARD IMPERIALISM, PACIFIC OCEAN, EAST ASIA, TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP
NEWSLETTER #16. April 12, 2015.
Compiled
by Dick Bennett for a Culture of Peace, Justice, and Ecology.
(http://omnicenter.org/newsletter-archive/
#1 May 8, 2012; #2 August 22, 2012; #3 Nov. 25, 2012; #4 Jan. 12, 2013; #5
March 27, 2013; #6 July 5, 2013; #7 August 12, 2013; #8 Nov. 8, 2013; #9 Jan.
2, 2014; #10 Feb. 3, 2014; #11 Feb. 26, 2014; #12 April 21, 2014; #13, June 26,
2014; #14 Sept. 24, 2014; #15, Feb. 18, 2015).
Thanks to Marc Quigley my
newsletters are placed in OMNI’s web site.
What’s at
stake: The TPP 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. Senator
Bernie Sanders.
Each of these newsletters is a small anthology intended to
provide knowledge for personal communication and letters and columns to the
editor. All together they constitute a
large collection of writings on the subject from the point of view of world
peace, nonviolence, social and economic justice, human rights, participatory
democracy, affirmative government, stewardship of the planet and all species.
Here is the link to all OMNI
newsletters:
http://www.omnicenter.org/newsletter-archive/ For a knowledge-based peace, justice, and
ecology movement and an informed citizenry as the foundation for opposition to
empire, militarism, and wars. Write
Letter or Column
Here is the link to the Index: http://www.omnicenter.org/omni-newsletter-general-index/ See: Continental US Westward Expansion,
Genocide, Indigenous People of Americas, Korean War, Pentagon, TPP, US
Imperialism, Vietnam War, WWII Colonial Pacific, and more.
See Nuclear Free Independent Pacific DAY.doc, Marshall Islands Suits Against Nuclear Nations, No Bases
Network, Abolish Nuclear Weapons.
My blog:
No to the War Department/Yes to the Peace Department
Contents #
15 at end
Contents US
Westward Imperialism, Pacific/E. Asia Newsletter #16
This Number
Is Devoted to Stopping Trans-Pacific Partners TPP
Senator Sanders
Sue Skidmore and Robert Reich, TPP Is Leap in Corporate/1% Power
Sierra Club, Stop TPP Fast Track
Progressive Secretary, Tell Congress NO on Fast Track
AFL-CIO, Write Your Own Letter or Column
Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize-winning Economist Urges Caution
Sue Skidmore, Excellent Over-view
Google Search, TPP 2015, April 12, 2015
TPP, TPTP
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS
The fight over the Trans-Pacific Partnership is about to heat up very quickly.
As soon as Monday, legislation will be introduced in the Senate that would give the president "Fast Track" authority to pass the trade deal many are calling "NAFTA on steroids" -- setting up a situation later this year in which Congress would be pressured to pass the TPP without amendments.
The TPP 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.
Now is the perfect time for us to put our heads together and talk about what we need to do to defeat the TPP once and for all. That's why I'm returning to join a DFA Live conference call this Wednesday, April 15, at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT to chat with DFA members about the TPP, Fast Track, and other issues on the minds of DFA members.
Would you like to chat with me about the TPP and other important progressive issues? Then click here to RSVP for my DFA Live call this Wednesday, April 15, at 8pm ET.
The
media has done a horrible job of covering the TPP -- one of the most important
issues facing our country and the world in the coming months. That's why I think it's
vitally important that we have a conversation about the TPP now. The only way
we are going to stop this disastrous deal from passing is if we work together
to educate our friends and neighbors about it as soon as possible.
In January, more than 3,200 Democracy for
America members signed up for a lively, in-depth DFA Live discussion focused on Citizens
United. I thoroughly enjoyed it -- especially the insightful questions and
thoughts shared by DFA members. I can't wait to do it again, to hear your
ideas, and to answer your questions.
The Trans
Pacific "Trade" Partnership Trojan Horse Corporate Global Coup
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April 6, 2015
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Greetings to you all. I just wanted to remind everyone
that no matter how hard or how much effort you are putting into all your work
in no matter what area-- be it climate change, stopping fracking, coal ash,
clean air, local food, no GMOs—that the TPP usurps all efforts if it is
passed. The TPP is the ONE PERCENTER’s POWER TOOL. All of the trade
agreements have had a detrimental effect on our economy and loss of jobs in
America. However, this “trade” agreement has 29 chapters but only FIVE
chapters are related to trade. The rest of the chapters is devoted to the
undermining of our government, our protectionist laws, and the removal of our
human rights in order that corporations be allowed to have more rights over us.
It is very important that you become involved and take
action. Please call & write your senators and representatives!
Call Senator Wyden’s office and tell him to stop FAST Track. Call the
Whitehouse and tell them that Fast Track undermines our democracy. Tell
them that the Trans Pacific Partnership undermines Local Food, Healthcare,
Generic Drugs, Food Labeling, our jobs, our economy and our environment.
If the TPP passes then we will not be able to stablelize our ecosystems on
planet Earth because the corporate power structure will prevent from making the
political changes to make the planet sustainable. Please do this as soon as
possible and keep the pressure on until the senate and then the house
votes. Thank you.~Sue
Trans Pacific “Trade”
Partnership Trojan Horse Corporate Global Coup
As you
know, the Trans Pacific (trade) Partnership is being pushed for Fast
Track. We must not let that happen. We must have negotiation
because historically, all the previous trade deals have been very detrimental
to us. They have outsourced our jobs so we have more inequality and less
jobs. This has hurt our economy nationwide. The TPP also undermines
our LAWS, MEDICAL CARE – PHARMACEUTICALS, & ENVIRONMENT.
Provisions
in the TPP specifically threaten to:
·
Undermine food
safety protections by making it
harder for countries to adopt regulations such as labeling laws or banning
GMOs.
·
Dismantle the
“Buy Local” movement by overturning
government laws designed to keep taxpayer dollars in the local economy.
·
Inhibit access to
lifesaving medicine by extending
monopoly drug patents for big pharmaceuticals.
·
Curtail Internet freedom, spur further
financial deregulation, roll back environmental laws and more.The curtailment of Internet Freedom
would prevent us from doing our work. This could silence us.
Silence is compliance.
*** Last week’s conference call was equally important bringing
to light another issue about the TPP. Specifically, there are only 5
chapters devoted to trade. The rest of the bill undermines our own
protective laws. DO YOU WANT TO DO " 7 YEARS" ? FAST TRACK
IS NOT JUST FOR THE TPP. IT IS ALSO FOR TESA & TTIP. There is a chapter in
the TPP solely devoted to changing our bureaucratic structure. It is the
Regulatory Coherence Chapter & it is a NEW STAGE in the formation of GLOBAL
GOVERNANCE (CONTROL). STOP THE TPP NOW! It undermines our laws in favor of Global
Corporate Tribunals.
This
would be devastating to us all. Therefore we must unite and work together
to overcome the TPP. TPP=Toilet
Paper Partnership=Pure Evil
Short
Films will be shown to educate on the TPP.
We will
discuss and organize for ACTION:
1.
Visibility:
2.
Lobbying:
3.
TPP Free Zones:
4.
Teach Ins: Using films, speakers, fact sheets present
information on the Fast Track and TPP and other so called trade bills &
garner supporters against Fast Track & the TPP.
Sign up
here for the conference calls: http://www.flushthetpp.org/national-fast-track-resistance-weekly-calls/ Conference
calls are on Wednesday Evenings at8PM Central time.
There
are TOOLS on Popular Resistance, Flush the TPP, Expose the TPP, Alliance for Democracy &
Public Citizen to use for organizing purposes.
Here
are some additional links for more information:
1.
Democracy Now! Video of Michael Froman discussing the TPP:https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=978034452226651
2.
Robert Reich on the TPP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O_Sbbeqfdw
3.
Inequality Record of Trade Agreements History short videohttp://www.sanders.senate.gov/…/video-aud…/not-another-nafta
4.
Not a Done Deal https://www.facebook.com/Truthout.org/posts/10152663070256094
or https://www.popularresistance.org/fast-track-not-a-done-deal-the-people-will-stop-it/
5.
STOP THE FAST TRACK TO A FUTURE OF GLOBAL
CORPORATE RULE: http://greenshadowcabinet.us/statements/stop-fast-track-future-global-corporate-rule
6.
The Plan Behind the TPP to Destroy National
Sovereignty:https://www.popularresistance.org/the-plan-behind-the-tpp-to-destroy-national-sovereignty/
Action
schedule: https://www.popularresistance.org/stop-fast-track/
PEOPLE DEMANDING ACTION & STOP
FAST TRACK COALITION
JOIN THE CALL SUNDAY, MARCH 29,
2015 – 7:30 p.m. Eastern Registration link:https://www.anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=EB57DD88854F3A
"TPP:
A Global Distraction" – With Robert Kuttner co-founder of The American
Prospect and The Economic Policy Institute, for a thought-provoking discussion
of "what lies beneath" U.S. trade negotiations. We'll explore the
question: Are trade deals necessary structures, or a convenient smoke-screen
for pushing austerity economics? Mr. Kuttner is a nationally-known columnist
(the) Boston Globe, Washington Post, Village Voice, New Republic and
BusinessWeek, and an award-winning author, economist and former presidential
adviser.
BREAKING: Shane Larson, Legislative Director, Communications Workers of America, will share an analysis of the LEAKED TPP INVESTMENT CHAPTER TEXT Register today, space is limited!
BREAKING: Shane Larson, Legislative Director, Communications Workers of America, will share an analysis of the LEAKED TPP INVESTMENT CHAPTER TEXT Register today, space is limited!
Attachments area
TPP: Trans-Pacific Partners
Three Senators—Warren, Baldwin, and Markey-- Criticize Key Parts
of the Trade Deal by Zack Carter Z
·
Email
Elizabeth Warren: Obama Trade Deal Could Undermine
Wall Street Reform
Posted: 12/18/2014 5:07 pm EST Updated: 12/19/2014
9:59 am EST
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren
on Wednesday warned that a major trade deal being negotiated by the Obama
administration could hamstring Wall Street reform efforts.
Warren raised the issue in a letter to U.S. Trade
Representative Michael Froman, which was also signed by Sens. Tammy Baldwin
(D-Wis.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). The correspondence highlighted a
broadening rift between
President Barack Obama and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party over
economic policy, less than a week after Warren and Obama squared off over
a budget deal that provided government subsidies for risky derivatives trading.
"We are concerned that the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could make
it harder for Congress and regulatory agencies to prevent future financial
crises," the letter reads. "With millions of families still
struggling to recover from the last financial crisis and the Great Recession
that followed, we cannot afford a trade deal that undermines the government's
ability to protect the American economy."
The Obama administration has been negotiating the TPP -- a
pact with 11 other Pacific nations -- for several years. The U.S. Chamber of
Commerce has strongly favored the pact, while many traditionally liberal
organizations have been critical of the deal, citing concerns that it will exacerbate income inequality and
undermine a host of public-interest regulations. The government has been
negotiating the deal in secret. The public has only learned of potential
provisions through leaked drafts of the negotiation text.
Warren, Baldwin and Markey are particularly concerned with a process called "investor-state
dispute settlement," which grants foreign corporations the political power to
challenge the laws and regulations of a government before an international
tribunal. This nongovernmental court has the power to levy trade sanctions
against offending nations. The investor-state dispute settlement regimen
differs from those used in World Trade Organization treaties, which allow only
sovereign governments to bring trade challenges.
"We believe that the TPP should not include an investor-state
dispute settlement process," the letter reads, warning that doing so
"would expose a broad array of critical American financial regulations to
challenge by many additional foreign companies."
Investor-state
challenges were
rare before the new millennium, but have become increasingly popular tools for
corporations to use when challenging regulations they object to. Under the
North American Free Trade Agreement, for instance, companies including Exxon
Mobil, Dow Chemical and Eli Lilly have attempted to
overrule Canadian regulations on offshore oil drilling, fracking, pesticides,
drug patents and other issues.
Unrest over investor-state powers is not exclusively a
progressive phenomenon. Free-trade advocate Daniel J. Ikenson of the Cato
Institute has argued against
the practice, on the grounds that it gives foreign firms an unfair advantage
over domestic companies.
Warren, Baldwin and Markey also objected to granting the banking
industry "market access" protections similar to those afforded to
other industries under WTO agreements. International tribunals, the trio
warned, could determine that domestic rules against risky derivatives and other
financial products unfairly restrict foreign firms' access to U.S. markets. The
Democrats also urged Froman to avoid
curtailing the use of capital controls, rules that can constrain the flow of
particular currencies to and from a country -- a move often used by nations
to fight financial crises.
The Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative told HuffPost that the deal will not undermine bank regulations.
"TPP will in no way limit the ability of governments to put in place
strong consumer protections or to regulate financial markets, including
derivatives," a USTR spokesperson said.
Incoming Senate Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell (R-Ky.) has said approving the TPP will be one of his top priorities
when Republicans take control of the Senate in 2015.
Financial issues are particularly sensitive for Froman,
who left Citigroup in 2009 to join the Obama administration, eventually taking
the helm at USTR in 2013. The bank gave Froman over $4 million in exit payments to take the government
job. Warren voted against Froman's confirmation.
Read the full letter here.
STOP TPP FAST TRACK
A Fast Track to Disaster
Sierra Club, Insider, 3-10-15
The planet's biggest polluters want Congress to vote for fast track approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a massive trade deal that has huge implications for both jobs and the environment. Among other things, the TPP could sabotage the ability of the U.S. to respond to the climate crisis. Fortunately, it's not too late to say "not so fast."
Read Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune's blog on why fast track is such a bad idea and what we can do to stop it.
Sierra Club, Insider, 3-10-15
The planet's biggest polluters want Congress to vote for fast track approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a massive trade deal that has huge implications for both jobs and the environment. Among other things, the TPP could sabotage the ability of the U.S. to respond to the climate crisis. Fortunately, it's not too late to say "not so fast."
Read Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune's blog on why fast track is such a bad idea and what we can do to stop it.
Tell
Congress: No more unfair trade deals. Vote 'no' on fast track.
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Dear
Dick,
Here is a new Progressive Secretary letter.
Here is a new Progressive Secretary letter.
This
letter supports a campaign by Public Citizen and others asking Congress NOT to
give the President fast track trade negotiating authority.
President Obama is requesting this authority although he opposed it when he ran for office. Now, however, he may not be able to obtain approval for his TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) and Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) deals without it because both agreements are extremely unpopular.
Your letters will be sent to House and Senate members.
President Obama is requesting this authority although he opposed it when he ran for office. Now, however, he may not be able to obtain approval for his TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) and Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) deals without it because both agreements are extremely unpopular.
Your letters will be sent to House and Senate members.
Do not give the President “fast track” negotiating authority for
trade agreements. “Fast track” already gave us NAFTA, the North American Free
Trade Agreement. As a result, the U.S. lost 1,000,000 jobs, saw its
manufacturing sector decline, and experienced a significant drop in wages. If
current trade agreement trends continue, the U.S. could send 40 million more
jobs offshore over the next two decades.
“Fast track” has expired. If you reauthorize it, the executive branch will be able to negotiate additional trade deals without Congressional input. Congress will have no power to amend them. Debate will be limited, and the Senate will not be able to use the filibuster.
The President cannot obtain “fast track” negotiating authority without a vote from Congress. Do not give him that power.
“Fast track” has expired. If you reauthorize it, the executive branch will be able to negotiate additional trade deals without Congressional input. Congress will have no power to amend them. Debate will be limited, and the Senate will not be able to use the filibuster.
The President cannot obtain “fast track” negotiating authority without a vote from Congress. Do not give him that power.
Click here to send this
letter or to learn more (you can edit the subject
or the letter itself in the next step, if you wish).
Request
to write opinion column opposing Fast Track
3-13-15
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1:33 PM (2 hours ago)
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In These Times (March 214, 2015). The
mainstream media still refuses to cover what would be the largest trade deal
ever, or "NAFTA on steroids."
BY ALEXANDROS ORPHANIDES
URGENT REQUEST CONCERNING THE ROLL BACK OF
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS & CURTAILMENT OF INTERNET FREEDOM
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Dick & Carl: I have
to get the word out about the TPP. This would undermine everything that
we are doing, please see below. I am sure you must know. Here is
the last Conference Call:http://www.flushthetpp.org/national-fast-track-resistance-weekly-calls/ &
the link for the Conference Call last week with Ralph Nader on the TPP is
: https://www.mixcloud.com/Popular_Resistance/national-fast-track-resistance-call-1-with-ralph-nader/ .
Here is the link for the great article by Margaret Flowers & Kevin
Zeese: http://greenshadowcabinet.us/statements/stop-fast-track-future-global-corporate-rule
STOP THE FAST TRACK TO A FUTURE OF GLOBAL CORPORATE RULE. In that
article is a link at “GET INVOLVED HERE” which lists specific lobbying
actions and dates and also conference registration. Please get your
friends involved!
Thanks, Sue in Missouri
As you know, the Trans Pacific
(trade) Partnership is being pushed for Fast Track. We must not let that
happen. We must have negotiation because historically, all the previous
trade deals have been very detrimental to us. They have outsourced our
jobs so we have more inequality and less jobs. This has hurt our economy
nationwide. The TPP also undermines our LAWS, MEDICAL CARE – PHARMACEUTICALS,
& ENVIRONMENT.
Provisions
in the TPP specifically threaten to:
·
Undermine food
safety protections by making it
harder for countries to adopt regulations such as labeling laws or banning
GMOs.
·
Dismantle the
“Buy Local” movement by overturning
government laws designed to keep taxpayer dollars in the local economy.
·
Inhibit access to
lifesaving medicine by extending
monopoly drug patents for big pharmaceuticals.
·
Curtail Internet
freedom, spur further financial deregulation, roll back environmental laws and
more.
This would be devastating to us
all. Therefore we must unite and work together to overcome the TPP.
In conference calls held
beginning last Wednesday, discussion included
1. Visibility:
Protests, Signs, Letters in Papers etc. When writing the representatives,
CC the letter to “Interested Parties”.
2. Lobbying:
Groups of 4 or 5 at a time going to reps offices and making their views
known. Ask questions that the reps must respond to about the TPP.
Before leaving ask if the representative has read the TPP in entirety.
3. TPP Free
Zones
Sign up here for the conference
calls: http://www.flushthetpp.org/national-fast-track-resistance-weekly-calls/ Conference
calls are on WednesdayEvenings at 8PM Central time.
The curtailment of Internet
Freedom would prevent us from doing our work. This could silence
us. Silence is compliance.
Here are some additional links
for more information:
1. Democracy
Now! Video of Michael Froman discussing the TPP:https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=978034452226651
3. Inequality
Record of Trade Agreements History short videohttp://www.sanders.senate.gov/…/video-aud…/not-another-nafta
4. Not a Done
Deal https://www.facebook.com/Truthout.org/posts/10152663070256094
or https://www.popularresistance.org/fast-track-not-a-done-deal-the-people-will-stop-it/
Additionally, we must maintain
the newly approved FCC rules for Net Neutrality. Comcast is lobbying
Congress to weaken the Net Neutrality rules that we just won. Fight for
the Future & Free Press.net is overseeing this: https://www.fightforthefuture.org/
& http://www.freepress.net/what-can-i-do
Working for Positive Change-
Looking forward to your reply,
Sue Skidmore
Attachments area
www.theguardian.com
› ... › State of the Union address
The
Guardian
Jan 20, 2015 - The Trans Pacific Partnership has drawn the ire of
Democrats including Elizabeth Warren who object it ... Tuesday 20 January 2015 23.38 EST.
www.washingtonpost.com/...trans-pacific-partnership/...
The
Washington PostFeb
25, 2015 - The Trans-Pacific Partnership clause everyone
should oppose. Share on ... Partnership (TPP) on Capitol Hill in Washington January 27, 2015.
www.huffingtonpost.com/.../trans-pacific-partnershi...
The
Huffington Post
HuffingtonPost.com | Zach
Carter | Posted 04.07.2015 | Politics ... A key section of the secret Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement has been
leaked ...
www.politico.com/story/2015/.../trade-outlook-2015-113793.ht...
Politico
Jan 2, 2015 - The new Republican
majority in Congress could turn 2015 into the ... TheTrans-Pacific Partnership agreement, which would cover about 40 ...
thediplomat.com/tag/trans-pacific-partnership/
The
Diplomat
TPP as Important as
Another Aircraft Carrier: US Defense Secretary. April 08 ... 5 Ways the US Can
Boost its Rebalance to Southeast Asia in 2015. January 06 ...
www.international.gc.ca/TPP
Canada
Trans-Pacific Partnership Free-Trade Agreement
Negotiations. ... TPP Officials' Meeting: New York City (January 26-February 1, 2015); more.
In
the news
CounterPunch - 3 days ago
Corporations are elevated
to the same status as national governments under “ free trade” agreements, but
if the Trans-Pacific Partnership is ...
The Salt Lake
Tribune - 15 hours ago
Vancouver Sun - 9 hours ago
Contents US
Westward Imperialism, Pacific/E. Asia Newsletter #15
Recent OMNI Newsletters Related to US Imperialism
US in Asia, Vietnam, Laos,
Branfman, Voices from the Plain of Jars, 2nd
ed.
Tran and Reid, Vietnam
Trans-Pacific
Partners (NAFTA on Steroids)
Public Citizen, TPP
TPP, Contact Your Legislators
Working Families, Sign the Petition
Progressive Secretary
China
J, William Fulbright on
China and Vietnam
Donald Gross, The China Fallacy, US/China Cooperation
Possible
Dick, Associated Press Reports Meeting of Allies vs.
China
Global
Empire, East Meets West
Nick Turse on Chad
END US WESTWARD IMPERIALISM,
PACIFIC, E. ASIA NEWSLETTER #16
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