350kitty
04-24-2015, 03:08 AM
I am posting this email from MoveOn. In particular, note the bullet items I've highlighted in blue. Pretty alarming. Also, at the bottom they list 5 sources of information. But we do have a chance to stop it in the House of Representatives. I respect MoveOn's work so I saw no reason to delete the portions of this informative email that are an appeal for making a donation.
We need all the help we can get!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Victoria Kaplan, MoveOn.org Civic Action <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 5:07 PM
Subject: Job-killing corporate giveaway
Dear MoveOn member, This email is long, but I need your help.
A bill to jam a job-killing corporate giveaway masked as a free trade agreement through Congress is moving forward—quickly and without public scrutiny—as I write this message.
The proposal, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (or TPP) could be up for a vote next week.
We know that with your help, we can stop this unprecedented corporate power grab. And there are even Republicans in Congress opposing it—which means this campaign is winnable—if we play our cards right. If you're ready to help us stop it right now, then please click here to make a donation to our emergency campaign.
(https://civ.moveon.org/contrib/no_tpp.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=130)
Or to learn more, please read on—and I'll tell you what we've been up to, what's next, and how you can help:
MoveOn members have been fighting the Trans-Pacific Partnership, also called "NAFTA on steroids," for several years now. Conventional wisdom was that it should have been a done deal by now—that the 600 corporations that helped write the massive TPP would already have won.
We're still here fighting because MoveOn members like you, and our allies in the U.S. and around the world, have shone a light on what the TPP is really about.
The details are secret, but here's some of what we know about it, because of leaks:
The TPP is being negotiated in secret. Corporate representatives are in the room, but the public isn't allowed to know the details of the trade deal.1
There is a provision called "investor-state dispute settlement." ISDS allows multinational corporations to challenge our domestic laws—such as environmental or safety regulations—to potentially win millions of dollars in damages that would have to be paid by American taxpayers. And the judges in these disputes? A rotating panel of lawyers that represent the very corporations that would bring the cases.2
In most instances of such lawsuits so far, corporations have used ISDS to attack laws designed to help working families. They sued Egypt for raising the minimum wage, they sued Germany for eliminating nuclear power to keep its citizens safe,3 and right now Philip Morris is suing Uruguay for implementing tobacco regulations designed to cut smoking rates and protect children.4
If Congress grants Fast Track authority, this agreement could be finalized without close congressional oversight. Fast Track would give lawmakers 90 days for an up or down, yes or no vote to ratify the entire treaty—and take away any power to change its provisions.5
We've got a shot at stopping the TPP, but it'll take a massive, international effort. To do it, we'll work with an international network of MoveOn's sister organizations that are fighting the same corporate agenda in Australia, Canada, the UK, Germany, and other countries impacted by the TPP and similar trade deals. Can you chip in $5 and join the fight?
Yes, I'll chip in.
(https://civ.moveon.org/contrib/no_tpp.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=115)
Here's how we'll do it:
We'll pour on pressure where we have the most leverage—with Democrats in the House who are wavering. If enough of them refuse to go along with Republicans, we can kill this thing in the House with votes from both parties. We're already flooding their offices with calls, showing up at town hall meetings, and rallying at their offices—and it's time to kick it up a notch.
We'll expose what the TPP is really about to a massive audience, because to know the TPP is to oppose the TPP. Already, the video we made with Robert Reich breaking down the deal has been viewed more than 3 million times, but it will take more to combat the pro-TPP media campaign being waged by its corporate supporters.
The TPP relies on all 11 countries that are part of the deal to sign on—which means we're fighting on a global playing field. We'll support MoveOn's sister organizations in countries affected by TPP and similar trade deals, so that we're learning from each other and improving our strategies. Check out this newspaper ad that MoveOn and organizations in four countries put out at the last TPP ministerial meeting in Hawai'i:
https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/wixeRD0MJFZWT6-ZSwg9wZL25EziCFTyb0otBpufX3bd8C_X6AE791r7ojIDewxreotgIeXX6pyGp3ERUL0dhpC8Ib3eIYNe579zKQI=s0-d-e1-ft#https://s3.moveon.org/images/with_dims/tppad-466x908.png (https://civ.moveon.org/contrib/no_tpp.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=130)
We're stronger when we work together, across the aisle and across borders. Can you chip in $5?
Yes, I'll chip in.
(https://civ.moveon.org/contrib/no_tpp.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=115)
If any of the 11 countries that are part of the TPP negotiations fails to ratify it, the deal collapses. So while we ramp up our efforts to stop its dangerous path at home, we'll also work with MoveOn allies overseas to demonstrate that no matter the party, no matter the country, the world says no to the TPP.
Thanks for all you do.
–Victoria, Justin R., Maria, Brian, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Full speed ahead on secretive trade deal," Al Jazeera America, December 17, 2014
https://www.moveon.org/r/?r= (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304152&id=&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=1)<wbr>304152&id=&id=112827-17866318-<wbr> (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304152&id=&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=1)ZoWX24x&t=1 (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304152&id=&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=1)
2. "The Trans-Pacific Partnership clause everyone should oppose," The Washington Post, February 25, 2015
https://www.moveon.org/r/?r= (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304132&id=&id=&t=9&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=2)<wbr>304132&id=&id=&t=<wbr>9&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&<wbr> (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304132&id=&id=&t=9&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=2)t=2
(https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304132&id=&id=&t=9&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=2)
3. "What Is ISDS?" AFL-CIO, accessed April 22, 2015
https://www.aflcio.org/Issues/ (https://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Trade/What-Is-ISDS)<wbr> (https://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Trade/What-Is-ISDS)Trade/What-Is-ISDS
(https://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Trade/What-Is-ISDS)
4. "Philip Morris Sues Uruguay Over Graphic Cigarette Packaging," NPR, September 15, 2014
https://www.moveon.org/r/?r= (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304133&id=&id=&t=10&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=3)<wbr>304133&id=&id=&t=<wbr>10&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&<wbr> (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304133&id=&id=&t=10&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=3)t=3
(https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304133&id=&id=&t=10&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=3)
5. "ANALYSIS: Hatch Bill Would Revive Controversial 2002 Fast Track Mechanism that Faces Broad Congressional, Public Opposition," Public Citizen, April 16, 2015
https://citizen.org/fast-track- (https://citizen.org/fast-track-2015)<wbr> (https://citizen.org/fast-track-2015)2015 (https://citizen.org/fast-track-2015)
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Start a monthly donation here (https://civic.moveon.org/contrib/c4monthly_footer.html?id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=121) or chip in a one-time donation here (https://civic.moveon.org/contrib/c4_footer.html?id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=120).
</[email protected]><[email protected]>
</[email protected]>
We need all the help we can get!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Victoria Kaplan, MoveOn.org Civic Action <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 5:07 PM
Subject: Job-killing corporate giveaway
Dear MoveOn member, This email is long, but I need your help.
A bill to jam a job-killing corporate giveaway masked as a free trade agreement through Congress is moving forward—quickly and without public scrutiny—as I write this message.
The proposal, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (or TPP) could be up for a vote next week.
We know that with your help, we can stop this unprecedented corporate power grab. And there are even Republicans in Congress opposing it—which means this campaign is winnable—if we play our cards right. If you're ready to help us stop it right now, then please click here to make a donation to our emergency campaign.
(https://civ.moveon.org/contrib/no_tpp.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=130)
Or to learn more, please read on—and I'll tell you what we've been up to, what's next, and how you can help:
MoveOn members have been fighting the Trans-Pacific Partnership, also called "NAFTA on steroids," for several years now. Conventional wisdom was that it should have been a done deal by now—that the 600 corporations that helped write the massive TPP would already have won.
We're still here fighting because MoveOn members like you, and our allies in the U.S. and around the world, have shone a light on what the TPP is really about.
The details are secret, but here's some of what we know about it, because of leaks:
The TPP is being negotiated in secret. Corporate representatives are in the room, but the public isn't allowed to know the details of the trade deal.1
There is a provision called "investor-state dispute settlement." ISDS allows multinational corporations to challenge our domestic laws—such as environmental or safety regulations—to potentially win millions of dollars in damages that would have to be paid by American taxpayers. And the judges in these disputes? A rotating panel of lawyers that represent the very corporations that would bring the cases.2
In most instances of such lawsuits so far, corporations have used ISDS to attack laws designed to help working families. They sued Egypt for raising the minimum wage, they sued Germany for eliminating nuclear power to keep its citizens safe,3 and right now Philip Morris is suing Uruguay for implementing tobacco regulations designed to cut smoking rates and protect children.4
If Congress grants Fast Track authority, this agreement could be finalized without close congressional oversight. Fast Track would give lawmakers 90 days for an up or down, yes or no vote to ratify the entire treaty—and take away any power to change its provisions.5
We've got a shot at stopping the TPP, but it'll take a massive, international effort. To do it, we'll work with an international network of MoveOn's sister organizations that are fighting the same corporate agenda in Australia, Canada, the UK, Germany, and other countries impacted by the TPP and similar trade deals. Can you chip in $5 and join the fight?
Yes, I'll chip in.
(https://civ.moveon.org/contrib/no_tpp.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=115)
Here's how we'll do it:
We'll pour on pressure where we have the most leverage—with Democrats in the House who are wavering. If enough of them refuse to go along with Republicans, we can kill this thing in the House with votes from both parties. We're already flooding their offices with calls, showing up at town hall meetings, and rallying at their offices—and it's time to kick it up a notch.
We'll expose what the TPP is really about to a massive audience, because to know the TPP is to oppose the TPP. Already, the video we made with Robert Reich breaking down the deal has been viewed more than 3 million times, but it will take more to combat the pro-TPP media campaign being waged by its corporate supporters.
The TPP relies on all 11 countries that are part of the deal to sign on—which means we're fighting on a global playing field. We'll support MoveOn's sister organizations in countries affected by TPP and similar trade deals, so that we're learning from each other and improving our strategies. Check out this newspaper ad that MoveOn and organizations in four countries put out at the last TPP ministerial meeting in Hawai'i:
https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/wixeRD0MJFZWT6-ZSwg9wZL25EziCFTyb0otBpufX3bd8C_X6AE791r7ojIDewxreotgIeXX6pyGp3ERUL0dhpC8Ib3eIYNe579zKQI=s0-d-e1-ft#https://s3.moveon.org/images/with_dims/tppad-466x908.png (https://civ.moveon.org/contrib/no_tpp.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=130)
We're stronger when we work together, across the aisle and across borders. Can you chip in $5?
Yes, I'll chip in.
(https://civ.moveon.org/contrib/no_tpp.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=115)
If any of the 11 countries that are part of the TPP negotiations fails to ratify it, the deal collapses. So while we ramp up our efforts to stop its dangerous path at home, we'll also work with MoveOn allies overseas to demonstrate that no matter the party, no matter the country, the world says no to the TPP.
Thanks for all you do.
–Victoria, Justin R., Maria, Brian, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Full speed ahead on secretive trade deal," Al Jazeera America, December 17, 2014
https://www.moveon.org/r/?r= (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304152&id=&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=1)<wbr>304152&id=&id=112827-17866318-<wbr> (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304152&id=&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=1)ZoWX24x&t=1 (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304152&id=&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=1)
2. "The Trans-Pacific Partnership clause everyone should oppose," The Washington Post, February 25, 2015
https://www.moveon.org/r/?r= (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304132&id=&id=&t=9&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=2)<wbr>304132&id=&id=&t=<wbr>9&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&<wbr> (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304132&id=&id=&t=9&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=2)t=2
(https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304132&id=&id=&t=9&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=2)
3. "What Is ISDS?" AFL-CIO, accessed April 22, 2015
https://www.aflcio.org/Issues/ (https://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Trade/What-Is-ISDS)<wbr> (https://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Trade/What-Is-ISDS)Trade/What-Is-ISDS
(https://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Trade/What-Is-ISDS)
4. "Philip Morris Sues Uruguay Over Graphic Cigarette Packaging," NPR, September 15, 2014
https://www.moveon.org/r/?r= (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304133&id=&id=&t=10&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=3)<wbr>304133&id=&id=&t=<wbr>10&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&<wbr> (https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304133&id=&id=&t=10&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=3)t=3
(https://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304133&id=&id=&t=10&id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=3)
5. "ANALYSIS: Hatch Bill Would Revive Controversial 2002 Fast Track Mechanism that Faces Broad Congressional, Public Opposition," Public Citizen, April 16, 2015
https://citizen.org/fast-track- (https://citizen.org/fast-track-2015)<wbr> (https://citizen.org/fast-track-2015)2015 (https://citizen.org/fast-track-2015)
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Start a monthly donation here (https://civic.moveon.org/contrib/c4monthly_footer.html?id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=121) or chip in a one-time donation here (https://civic.moveon.org/contrib/c4_footer.html?id=112827-17866318-ZoWX24x&t=120).
</[email protected]><[email protected]>
</[email protected]>