It's Our Future

A little democracy in action.

I guess this is why I'm an idealist bleeding-heart liberal, then?

I don't see how free-trade is supposed to benefit NZ, but that aside I still think the Trans Pacific Partnership will be toxic to NZ. Judging by leaked documents & by similar trade deals around the world, the TPPA will enable multinational corporations to sue the duly elected government of NZ if they enact any laws that may have a negative impact upon those corporations' profit margins - environmental protections, labelling laws, health provisions, plain packaging for cigarettes, banning of carcinogens from food... Then there's the copywrite stuff, which not only puts people's internet habits on the line & at risk, but has serious (& expensive!) ramifications for Pharmac & NZer's access to cheap medicine. On top of that the TPPA poses a threat to unions & NZ's labour laws. Basically the TPPA infringes more than a touch upon New Zealand's democratic sovereignty. These multi-lateral free trade deals are the late 20th and early 21st century version of colonialism; the USA is solidifying it's presence & control in the Pacific & Pacific Rim countries as it prepares for a new 'Cold War', this time with China. The TPPA is the USA protecting it's hegemony. Or maybe not, maybe it's just Corporate Feudalism tromping all over our Democratic Sovereign State.