Trade deal should not become law

President Obama is set to sign this agreement in the first week of February, with Congress needing to vote straight up or down with no amendments, within 90 days after that. It is outrageous that the more than 600 corporate representatives serving as official U.S. trade advisors have full access to the Trans-Pacific Partnership texts and privileged input but the U.S. public and the press are locked out.

Though the public hasn't been given access to the negotiating texts, leaked texts have provided insight into what the negotiating parties have agreed upon. Among other troubling provisions, there are the special privileges and benefits for firms that offshore investment and jobs away from the U.S.

Only six of the TPP's 30 chapters deal with traditional trade matters. The rest deal with domestic policies - from food safety to labor, environmental standards to access to safe and affordable medicines, Internet freedom to government procurement - so it's absolutely crucial that Congress not allow the TPP to become law. President Obama says it's good for everyone, but why has he, trade representatives, and other leaders kept it under lock and key?

If this trade deal moves forward you have to ask yourself what is the future for our seniors, our working class, our young adults and children and especially you and your job? Go to tradewatch.org for more information on this corporate takeover of our democracy.

Garrick Balk

South Elgin