Well, I suppose the permutations, and possible outcomes of the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) are far-ranging, but we never gave this much thought. However, the bigger picture is not Hollywood, but what it is they’re fighting. Their target is the present sultan of Brunei, and his country’s implementation of Sharia Law. They’re concerned that including Brunei in the TPP will give him/his country certain privileges, and reward Sharia Law.
“But for the U.S., a far more abhorrent connection with the sultan than a few hotels is the trade pact with Brunei (and other Pacific nations), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which President Obama has been doggedly pursuing since 2009. As noted by Curtis Ellis of the American Jobs Alliance, “on the very day Brunei was phasing in Sharia law, Obama’s chief trade negotiator Michael Froman was on Capitol Hill selling the TransPacific Partnership, which would bind the U.S. to Brunei and give the Islamic Sultanate special economic privileges.” “
While we’re no expert, it seems this “free trade” proposal is bad across the board for all peoples, in all countries to be included within the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The only winners are very large corporations, and more appropriately, the outrageously wealthy that profit from being connected to those exorbitantly large concerns.
Here are a couple more quotes on the TPP (same source as above):
“Labor unions and others are concerned that the pact would harm American workers and exempt foreign companies and governments from environmental standards and allow them to bypass American courts. Nobel prize-wining economist Joseph Stiglitz warns of a “real risk it will benefit the wealthiest sliver of the American and global elite at the expense of everyone else.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) has expressed concern over the secrecy surrounding the trade agreement, which we only know anything about via leaked documents that have shown how corporations and governments will be able to overrule laws. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other groups have warned about the TPP giving privileges not just to Brunei but to Malaysia, which also has vicious laws criminalizing homosexuality, and Vietnam, which has been accused of human rights abuses. Both countries are also among the 12 seeking inclusion in the pact, including New Zealand, Japan and Australia.”
It seems, by all accounts, that the time to fight “fast track” is dwindling, so if you haven’t done so, please add your voice to that fight. For more information about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (or the TPP).
