



(They call me a conspiracy theorist when I write about this. It’s called fascism, just so you know. “oh but Scott, he’s a socialist. Oh but Scott, he’s a stateist. Oh but Scott, he’s a collectivist…. yeah, no. He’s a fascist. And ain’t it funny how they mention the only other nation that completely backs this agenda… is Japan? What were they saying about Japan the other day? Oh yeah, that they’re becoming fascist.)

from Huffington Post

…

Previously leaked TPP documents have sparked alarm among global health experts, Internet freedom activists, environmentalists and organized labor, but are adamantly supported by American corporations and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Obama administration has deemed negotiations to be classified information — banning members of Congress from discussing the American negotiating position with the press or the public. Congressional staffers have been restricted from viewing the documents.

One of the most controversial provisions in the talks includes new corporate empowerment language insisted upon by the U.S. government, which would allow foreign companies to challenge laws or regulations in a privately run international court. Under World Trade Organization treaties, this political power to contest government law is reserved for sovereign nations. The U.S. has endorsed some corporate political powers in prior trade agreements, including the North American Free Trade Agreement, but the scope of what laws can be challenged appears to be much broader in TPP negotiations.

“The United States, as in previous rounds, has shown no flexibility on its proposal, being one of the most significant barriers to closing the chapter, since under the concept of Investment Agreement nearly all significant contracts that can be made between a state and a foreign investor are included,” the memo reads. “Only the U.S. and Japan support the proposal.”

Under NAFTA, companies including Exxon Mobil, Dow Chemical and Eli Lilly have attempted to overrule Canadian regulations on offshore oil drilling, fracking, pesticides, drug patents and other issues. Companies could challenge an even broader array of rules under the TPP language…

[read the rest, here]

Source: http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/leaked-documents-obama-administration-seeking-radical-new-political-powers-for-corporations/