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Letter: Trade deal needs scrutiny

The Columbian
Published: November 16, 2014, 12:00am

The Trans Pacific Partnership, a treaty being negotiated in secrecy by a bevy of corporate lawyers and government representatives who will likely go on to high-paying corporate jobs through the revolving door between government and corporations — if they play ball — has been likened to NAFTA on steroids.

One leaked chapter, “Investor-State Dispute Settlement,” would allow corporations to sue governments in “corporate courts” if they dare pass laws that interfere with profits. That provision would interfere with the sovereign right of the U.S. to pass laws of its choosing.

The Obama administration, as with every administration before it, wants this treaty fast-tracked through Congress. Our representatives would have only 90 days to assess it and could offer no amendments. The expected incoming Republican chair of the Senate Finance Committee has stated that “Fast Track Authority” is one of his top priorities, a show of support to corporations and a rare show of support by Republicans to President Obama.

Urge your representatives to do what they are paid for — protect the interests of this country by not allowing a trade deal to pass without offering time to thoroughly digest the contents and get input from taxpayers who will be profoundly affected.

Dianne Kocer

Brush Prairie

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