Hello!

This is my new blog.  About what? I'm not sure. Mostly just things I feel like talking about....you've entered Kelly's world, keep your hands and feet inside the cart at all times.  Mostly I have political musings and bath product reviews...completely unrelated? I know, but do you expect anything else from me?  I'm sure other topics will come up at times, but any who, let's get started!

So first post; I must talk about the new Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)...the what?! you ask....well there's a reason you don't know about it or even don't know it existed.  Get this...because the administration doesn't want you to know!! Shocking, right? I know, I know....

In college I was on the student Senate and I chaired a committed called COLA (Committee on Legislative Action).  The purpose of this committee was to inform the Senate about legislative action being taken at the local, state, and federal level that would affect students.  So, I'm dusting off my old COLA skills to inform you about this new Partnership.  Why? Because I think it is extremely important yet so little is known about it.  And an informed republic is a strong republic.

First of all, the TPP is a "free trade" agreement between a number of countries surrounding the Pacific Ocean, including the United States.  Today they are in negotiations to discuss a number of topics that if agreed upon, would directly affect policy here in the United States.  Items up for discussion include; GMO's, environmental regulations, health care, prescription drug regulations, internet freedom, copyright laws (the whole gamut of intellectual property) among many many others.  Much like NAFTA; the administration will be planning this partnership on the basis of increased trade and consumerism...but we all know who really loses out here don't we? That's right, everyone loses except the top tiered corporations.

The scariest thing about the partnership is that there is no transparency about what is being negotiated and Obama plans to "fast track" it through Congress so as to get it passed before the public even knows about it.  Democracy at its worst!  Whether you agree with items in the partnership or you don't, the real crime here is that we don't even know what's in it!!!!  How are we supposed to have a republic if we don't know what our elected representatives are doing?!?!  So policies that will affect our everyday lives are being negotiated, without us knowing, and our elected officials will vote on it after being bullied by the administration?

Another thing that gets my goat about the whole situation is that Obama ran on a platform of transparency and "fair" trade agreements that benefit the whole rather than the few.  He said if elected he would talk to Canada and Mexico about NAFTA and agree to more democratic policies.  This is just another example of him acting against his word.  This is very frustrating!  Anyway, enough about my ranting, if you want to learn more about it, or take some actions to stop it, below are some websites to check out.

Also, remember, contacting your Congress Person is always the fastest and most effective way to have your voice heard.  Even though it will be "fast tracked" through Congress, Congress still has to vote, meaning you have to ability to have your voice heard.  Thanks to the lovely internet, contacting your Congress Person has never been easier! Just go to www.house.gov.....find your representative and send them an email....no postage required!

http://www.house.gov

http://www.ustr.gov/tpp

https://www.eff.org/issues/tpp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Pacific_Partnership