Hi Yuriko,



The TPP may well be all that you say it is. I hope it is, but too many in North America see it as a cozy agreement between corporatist governments, primarily designed to enrich the 1% and other 'fat-cat' shareholders and rentiers, while doing nothing for the average citizen.



Another poor optic of the TPP is that it was largely negotiated in secret, and a majority of North Americans are waiting to see just how 'they put one over on us' again.



The people negotiating the TPP couldn't have done a worse job of selling its merits to the general public -- which makes many people wonder if there are any merit in it for them at all.



Let me say it plainly; The TPP has has gotten signed -- despite the worst marketing plan in history.



It may well turn out to be a very good agreement that will assist average citizens. But where are the charts? Where are the YouTube videos? Where are the demonstrable models to show us how wonderful the TPP will be?



I feel that citizens deserve better that this sort of callous treatment; "We designed a plan that will change 40% of the world, so just shut-up and vote for it without knowing what it does."



Citizens 'get' that there is a monumental economic battle going on between the West and China. They 'get' that. They are willing to do their part.



But they don't think that a secret deal that serves only the plutocrats is going to help them. So why should they support it?



And that's now. Just wait to see the public response if it gets rammed through the Diet, the various Parliaments, and Congress -- and the economy begins to wobble, even a little -- for any reason. TPP will get the blame, fairly or unfairly.



If it truly is the best agreement since the Cold War ended, then let's hear about it. If it truly is the best agreement, why isn't every Prime Minister, President, Minister of Finance, and economist shouting its praises from the rooftops?



The silence is deafening.



I would love to be wrong on all of this...



Thank you for posting your fine essay at ProSyn, Yuriko. As always, very best regards to you. JBS