Crosstalk: April 21, 2015

Rick Manning is President of Americans for Limited Government. They are a non-partisan organization working to identify, expose and work with Congress and state legislatures to prevent the continued expansion of government. A major trade agreement is being negotiated by the Obama administration, called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It is being described as the most comprehensive trade pact since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). But Mr. Manning sees many problems, not the least of which is that the treaty is being negotiated in secret, so that few details are being released. It is supposed to be a wonderful means of increasing the ability of American companies to do business overseas, and a number of manufacturing and business organizations are promoting its approval. The theory is that if it is "good for business, it is good for America". But if it is that good, why are details of the treaty not being presented as evidence of its benefits? But others are concerned that it will not be "good" for America. They look at NAFTA, which among other things, resulted in the loss of huge numbers of American jobs to workers in other countries. The concern is this will have a much greater effect, since it will effectively affect trade world-wide, not just in North America. In addition, besides "trade" concerns, it is expected that the treaty will deal with "global warming", environmental concerns, gun control, abortion, the loosening of patent protections, and many other controversial issues being promoted by the Obama administration.