I wish this post was some sort of sports analogy but it is not…..instead it is my opinion on the newest trade agreement that is making the rounds in the media……the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)……or is it the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP)?
Confused? Don’t worry about it….all you need to know is that it is mostly lies covered by slogans and one liners……
This smells a lot like the con job fed Americans by the Clinton group (the DLC) back in the 90’s…..you may remember it as NAFTA…….where North American countries inked a deal to trade without heavy tariffs and such……and it was sold as a boom for the middle class…..that it would strengthen and make the middle class more secure…..
And how did that work out for the middle class?
It sucked!
“Free trade” agreements may not be intended to cause class warfare, but they have had the effect of further enriching the wealthiest in our country while driving many previously middle class citizens into subsistence-level service jobs. These agreements weren’t put into place by an outcry from a public begging for more trade, and they certainly haven’t been maintained because of it.
Now with the new one…..the Third Way, which is a group that defines itself as independent of the two parties is pushing the new agreement as a way to strengthen the middle class and added security…….basically a ‘centrist’ group…….
From their press release…….
Third Way partnered with former Democratic National Committee (DNC) chairs today to urge fellow members of the Democratic Party to support granting President Obama Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for a new trade deal to strengthen the middle class and ensure America’s safety and security.
“Third Way is proud to work with these Democratic Party chiefs to promote the benefits of a pro-export agenda that will move America forward,” said Jim Kessler, Senior Vice President for Policy at Third Way. “These Democratic leaders know that modern trade deals create blue collar middle-class jobs because the data is clear. In our recent study, we analyzed all 17 trade deals since NAFTA to see if they improved the U.S. balance of trade in the blue collar goods sector. They did. The U.S. balance of trade in goods improved by more than $30 billion on average every year because post-NAFTA trade deals were negotiated with higher standards. With TPA, there is substantial opportunity to further contribute to America’s economic growth at a time of global economic stagnation.”
“Increasing America’s exports is the best way to create well-paying middle class jobs,” said Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA), one of the former DNC chairs who signed the letter. “During my time as Governor we tripled our exports in 8 years, helping Pennsylvania become the 9th fastest job creating state in the Union in 2010.”
All their bright scenarios sound reminiscent of the crap they fed Americans in the begging with NAFTA…..none of which came true……as usual they are empty promises from the wealthy to sell BS to the public.
Speaking of empty promises…..back in 2008 candidates Clinton and Obama both stated that if elected they would re-negotiate NAFTA……I’m still waiting for that promise to be fulfilled.
These agreement do work wonders but not for the middle class…….the middle class since NAFTA has been stagnant and in some cases declining because of these agreements……and yet there are more and more of them and the middle class continues to be eroded away…….the only Americans profiting from these agreements are the wealthy importers/exporters.
No where will this or any other pending trade agreement to strengthen the middle class or make it more secure. So far the term “middle class” is a lie to promote a situation that generate more wealth from those at the top.
Pro middle class slogans does nothing to help……….maybe Americans should stop reacting positively to dog whistle slogans and start demanding that the middle class becomes truly important again. Or lose it forever!
Whatcha think?