You know, the deal that Rep. Paul Ryan, Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. Ted Cruz and other Republicans are pushing? Yeah, that one.
Leave it to a Democratic politician to oppose it. Sigh.
“I’d like to see the text of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal,” I told the person I reached in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “it’s classified.”
“But representatives from some 600 private corporations have access to it by way of a secured Internet portal,” I said. “I’d like the password to the secured portal, please.”
“That’s not possible,” she said.
“But I’m a former cabinet official. I had security clearance. Why can representatives from 600 private corporations have access to this text and not me?”
“I’m very sorry,” she said.
“Look, Congress will be voting shortly on whether to fast-track this deal without amendment or discussion. Several members of Congress have called me to get my advice before they vote. All I’m asking for is the same access to it that people who work for 600 corporations are getting.”
“I can’t help you,” she said.
“WikiLeaks has already published three leaked chapters and is selling the entire thing for $100,000. Wouldn’t it be cheaper and simpler just to give it to me?”
She laughed and said goodbye.
I don’t think this is a laughing matter.
I don’t either, Mr. Reich. I don’t either.
How in the hell did it come to this? Democrats supporting transparency, Republicans saying, no, no way, we must have backroom deals!!!
I’d shake my head but I’d get whiplash over this one.