Singapore has long had one of the world’s most repressive governments. And things aren’t getting better anytime soon.But Singapore's government supports "free trade," and worships at its alter. So Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is popular in Washington, D.C. and on Wall Street. He was in town recently to be congratulated for his abiding commitment to trade. He took advantage of the occasion to lecture Americans on the "need" for Congress to approve the "vital" Trans-Pacific Partnership.The secretive TPP would be the world’s largest trade agreement-- and would ignite a worldwide race to the bottom in labor and environmental standards. It’s vociferously opposed by all major unions and environmental groups as well as organizations and individuals concerned with maintaining U.S. sovereignty, including many Democrats, or at least Democrats from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.However, the Republican wing of the Democratic Party, the New Dems of New Democrat Coalition, composed of sold-out corporate shills, is furiously pushing for the TPP just as hard as Prime Minister Lee. Indeed, no issue dominates the New Dems’ boring social media accounts than “free trade.” (How boring? The New Dems have less than 500 likes on Facebook. The more grassroots-oriented Congressional Progressive Caucus, in contrast, has more than 13,000 likes. On Twitter, most of the New Dem followers are the same right-leaning institutions, lobbyists and political hacks that the New Dems retweet all day-- such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Third Way and the Progressive (sic) Policy Institute.
Enjoyed hosting @HouseNewDems yesterday for discussion on #TPP & its strategic importance to the #US & the region. KB @USTR #trade— Kim Beazley (@AusAmbUSA) June 24, 2014
@politico: @HouseNewDems and @WhiteHouse "called for renewal of #Trade Adjustment Assistance, a program to help retrain workers." #TPA #TPP— House New Dems (@HouseNewDems) January 13, 2014
.@RepRonKind: @HouseNewDems pushing "robust trade agenda" that levels playing field 4 US workers & biz. @Republic3_0 http://t.co/wGsiU1LkCI.— Ed Gerwin (@EdGerwin) June 23, 2014
So, it was unsurprising to see that Prime Minister Lee granted an audience to Hawaii's most conservative federal official Colleen Hanabusa,, a New Dems’ task force chair, along with reactionary Virginia Congressman Randy Forbes. Hanabusa and Forbes, who are close partners and friends in the nature of John McCain and Lindsey Graham, mostly care about military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Of course, the loosening of trade rules to be provided by the TPP can only benefit the defense contractors who are enriched by military expansion-- and who, in turn, have been extraordinarily generous to a set of politicians like Hanabusa and Forbes.Hanabusa took to Facebook to kiss his authoritarian ass and heap praise on Prime Minister Lee, including for his leadership on "international trade":
Today’s discussion with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reaffirmed the critical role the U.S. plays in ensuring stability within the Asia-Pacific, through a continuous military presence, which facilitates our economic, diplomatic, and humanitarian capabilities. Prime Minister Lee spoke of Singapore’s leading role in international trade and highlighted the importance that the U.S. Navy plays by maintaining freedom of navigation in the region. He also recalled the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and how the people of Singapore knew that help had come once a U.S. aircraft carrier arrived on the scene. We must understand that as a region, our security and prosperity are increasingly tied to each other, and that a robust, long-term presence of American forces in the region has ensured peace and stability in Asia for the past sixty years. Expanding this presence over the next decade to meet 21st century security challenges is vital to U.S. and global interests. I thank Prime Minister Lee for taking the time to meet with us today.
Though many in the U.S. progressive community are heartened by efforts to slow or derail the TPP, Prime Minister Lee is confident he, the Republicans and the slimy New Dems will win:
Mr Lee also noted that talks on the TPP are still on track to wrap up this year. The comprehensive free trade pact covers a dozen nations, including Singapore and the US, which in total make up 40 per cent of the world economy and a third of global trade.There is a "good chance" that TPP negotiations will be completed this year, Mr Lee said."We are almost there, and I'm encouraged by President (Barack) Obama's promise to constructively resolve the remaining issues and I think we should be able to conclude it this year."Mr Lee had reiterated the need for US support to complete the TPP at a dialogue organised by the US think-tank Council on Foreign Relations earlier in the day.
Hanabusa is bucking for a promotion, as she’s trying to oust U.S. Senator Brian Schatz in Hawaii’s August 9 primary. Schatz, like most progressives, is concerned about the TPP. This is a race that may help determine whether the TPP is actually approved. Blue America has joined many labor and environmental groups in endorsing Schatz.Early voting in Hawaii starts in less than a month, and Senator Brian Schatz could use help in getting out the progressive vote.Hanabusa with bagman/husband John Souza
