Has Obama done anything that is good for America and Americans? If not, why would he start now? I’m in favor of smaller trade agreements and letting the public in on them while they’re being negotiated. I see no need for secrecy, especially from “the most transparent administration ever.”
We have negotiated away our sovereignty and control over our own shores with the GATT and other agreements. We get taken to a foreign court and we seem to always lose. Then per the agreement our trading partners get to punish us until we comply.
“I’m in favor of smaller trade agreements and letting the public in on them while they’re being negotiated. I see no need for secrecy, especially from “the most transparent administration ever.””
Negotiations are inherently ‘secret’ since none of the parties are willing to disclose their bargaining strategies.
Opening up the negotiations to the public is also opening them to Congress. You wind up negotiating with the individual members of Congress. This CongressCritter wants this for his vote. That CC wants that. You wind up with an “Omnibus” trade bill. Can you imagine all the special provisions that Congress would insert? Up to and including additional bike paths for Cleveland.
Transparency sounds good but it is impractical in trade negotiations.
Why would Obama want to put the congress “in charge” of trade? Why would he want to dilute his own power? Why this sudden burst of desire to share power with the congress? It just doesn’t pass the smell test. No, its another one of his power grabs that the gullible Republicans have bought into because their pals in the chamber of commerce want it.