General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: How can a person who fights for the TPP be considered a friend of the 99%? [View all]MADem
(135,425 posts)Ron Wyden isn't a friend of the 99 percent, if we're to "buy" the premise being sold in the OP. Yes, he signed the "We Want to Look" letter--with three others--to Kirk, but he also is the architect of "smart track." He's the one who wants reduced tariffs for clothing importers. He's the one who backs the offshore sneaker manufacturers over the Made in USA ones. Sound like competing priorities to you? Sure as hell does to me.
This is a COMPLEX issue, that's my point. There are a lot of moving parts. There are objections from a number of corners. There are people who support this aspect, but not that. There are people protesting this in potential partner countries all round the world--we're not the only ones raising objections.
It's a long, long process and we'll be at it for awhile, yet. This is not imminent, not by a long shot; it's not a done deal, there are many US legislators who object to it--but you'd never know that by reading this OP. It's not all cut and dried, otherwise Hero Wyden wouldn't become Villain Wyden in the wink of a comic-book eye. Harry Reid, the majority leader some just love to hate at every opportunity, should be canonized a saint for telling Baucus to go fuck himself, that his bill ain't making it to the floor. Same deal with Nancy Pelosi, who has weighed in against fast track--but you'd never know it if you relied on DU for your news.
If we discuss these issues in such stark "friend/enemy" terms, though, all we get is crap. It's not "discussion"--it's cheerleading. Bush-ish "With 'em or agin' 'em" lines being drawn. Making divisive "waaah, people who don't set their hair on fire must secretly SUPPORT this" comments isn't helpful either. It's as dumb as calling anyone with a nuanced view (like Wyden) an "enemy" because he supports sneaker sweatshops staffed by children overseas with a headquarters in his home state--or a "friend" because he signed an essentially symbolic "sop to the sign wavers" letter.