Fast track approach a bad deal for Montanans (re: food labeling law)
Hold onto your hats, Montana. President Barack Obama wants Congress to give him more power. Surprisingly, most Republicans are on board. Many Democrats, too.
He is asking for an undemocratic power, Fast Track authority, which would enable him to railroad trade deals through Congress with no changes and limited debate. The Constitution delegates authority over foreign treaties (which is what "trade" deals in fact are) to Congress for good reason, namely that treaties carry the force of law over domestic policy.
Why the willingness to hand over such great power to the president? Six hundred corporations have been negotiating, in secret, a new trade deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). They want to use Fast Track authority to slide this pact by the American public and through Congress. What is being shared with the public is nothing more than vague assurances about "free trade, exports and jobs."
I am a third-generation Montana rancher, and I have lived through the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico. I have watched the shrinking American cattle herd, young ranchers leaving this career, and families losing their ranches.
Read more: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/opinion/guest-opinions/2015/05/04/fast-track-approach-bad-deal-montanans/26894587/