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G_j

(40,372 posts)
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 11:59 AM Apr 2015

Astroturf Warning: TPP Critics Call Out Fake 'Progressive' Group Pushing Corporate Trade Agenda

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/04/02/astroturf-warning-tpp-critics-call-out-fake-progressive-group-pushing-corporate

The fact is, you can be a progressive committed to fighting for working families or you can be for this massive job-killing trade deal written by hundreds of corporate representatives, but you can't be both.'

byDeirdre Fulton, staff writer

Critics of the corporate-friendly Trans-Pacific Partnership are lining up against what they call an "astroturf" operation claiming to represent progressives in favor of Fast Tracking the sweeping and secretive trade deal.

No such progressives exist, they say.

Last month, a Democratic political consulting firm founded by former Obama administration staffers launched a website dubbed "Progressive Coalition for American Jobs," which claimed to prove the existence of progressives who support trade promotion authority, or Fast Track power.

Fast Track, which will likely be taken up by Congress soon after lawmakers return from Easter recess on April 13, would make it easier for Obama to negotiate trade deals—including the massive 12-nation TPP—by preventing them from being amended by House or Senate members.

However, groups like Public Citizen, CREDO Action, and Democracy for America say no real progressives support handing over trade authority to the White House in this way.

..more..
23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Astroturf Warning: TPP Critics Call Out Fake 'Progressive' Group Pushing Corporate Trade Agenda (Original Post) G_j Apr 2015 OP
Clinton people pretending to be something they aren't to help ram thru corporate shit legislation? 99Forever Apr 2015 #1
K&R for exposure. JEB Apr 2015 #2
Kick and Rec for exposure! 2naSalit Apr 2015 #3
K & R !!! - For Exposure !!! WillyT Apr 2015 #4
Thanks G_j locks Apr 2015 #5
"No such progressives exist, they say" FiveGoodMen Apr 2015 #6
Not surprised at all at these deceptive practices. The truth is no actual Progressive Dem could sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #7
Second time I heard "astro-turfing" today. can someone enlighten me? nt clarice Apr 2015 #8
Groups or organizations made for the purpose..... daleanime Apr 2015 #9
That would be a faux-grassroots movement that is funded Snarkoleptic Apr 2015 #10
Obama hired democrats to promote TPP to them! Omar Khan of Tampa was one of them! TheNutcracker Apr 2015 #11
Third way DINO group PowerToThePeople Apr 2015 #12
but I thought the only astroturfers and, ahem, rodent-romancers were the ones who dared hold people MisterP Apr 2015 #13
rodent-romancers G_j Apr 2015 #14
it's part of their notion of "extremist left-right syncretism" that they ripped off of Bernard-Henri MisterP Apr 2015 #15
You can't be both. obxhead Apr 2015 #16
Excellent. The TPP and TTIP must be opposed with all available resources Jack Rabbit Apr 2015 #17
This about sums up the TPP gregcrawford Apr 2015 #18
Unfortunately, these astroturf groups give the media the "divided" and "some Democratic supporters" NBachers Apr 2015 #19
Exactly G_j Apr 2015 #22
K&R MissDeeds Apr 2015 #20
I knew there was something up when Indiana created the controversy. zeemike Apr 2015 #21
K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast Apr 2015 #23

99Forever

(14,524 posts)
1. Clinton people pretending to be something they aren't to help ram thru corporate shit legislation?
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 12:08 PM
Apr 2015

I'm SHOCKED!

SHOCKED I say.

locks

(2,012 posts)
5. Thanks G_j
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 12:44 PM
Apr 2015

I have just emailed my very progressive Representative Jared Polis who can't seem to make up his mind on Fast Track. A vote for Fast Track is simply an acknowledgement that political power and corporate influence is more important than constituents and democracy. It's time for the progressives we elected to tell us which they serve.

FiveGoodMen

(20,018 posts)
6. "No such progressives exist, they say"
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 12:45 PM
Apr 2015

That's right.

By definition, if you're in favor of giving ultimate authoritarian power to corporations, then you're not a progressive.

What's next? 'Atheists for Jesus'?

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
7. Not surprised at all at these deceptive practices. The truth is no actual Progressive Dem could
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 12:52 PM
Apr 2015

possibly support any Corporate friendly deal that will further destroy the working class.

daleanime

(17,796 posts)
9. Groups or organizations made for the purpose.....
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 01:08 PM
Apr 2015

of creating an illusion of grass roots support or to build some such support.

MisterP

(23,730 posts)
13. but I thought the only astroturfers and, ahem, rodent-romancers were the ones who dared hold people
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 01:29 PM
Apr 2015

to their past promises (especially if they were eminently doable) and who tried to protect labor and the environment and health and infrastructure (the bastards!)

on edit: NO LUNCH

MisterP

(23,730 posts)
15. it's part of their notion of "extremist left-right syncretism" that they ripped off of Bernard-Henri
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 02:05 PM
Apr 2015

Levy (the guy who argued TRUE liberals think Bush went too easy on the Mideast)

 

obxhead

(8,434 posts)
16. You can't be both.
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 02:12 PM
Apr 2015

Couldn't have said it better.

Hillary supporters, take note..... You are showing your true colors and you side with the corporations and big money, not the people.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)
17. Excellent. The TPP and TTIP must be opposed with all available resources
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 02:16 PM
Apr 2015

We should give no thought of giving up the fight should it pass Congress, with or without fast track. These trade deals are nothing less than an assault on democratic government.


NBachers

(17,155 posts)
19. Unfortunately, these astroturf groups give the media the "divided" and "some Democratic supporters"
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 02:26 PM
Apr 2015

lies they need to weaken resistance to the TPP.

zeemike

(18,998 posts)
21. I knew there was something up when Indiana created the controversy.
Fri Apr 3, 2015, 03:05 PM
Apr 2015

they were ready to fast track the TPP...and needed to keep us and the right wingers locked in a struggle so we would not care what they did.

Look for more of the same coming up...there will be daily outrages.

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