Andrew MCarthy has an interesting post in the National Review Online, in which he says opponents of the TPA (Trade Promotion Authority), which gives the president the authority to ask for an “up-or-down” vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the real legislation, are off base for their opposition.  His argument is technically true.  What is currently occurring is constitutional.  Congress can reject the TPP.  My problem with McCarthy’s viewpoint is not that he is wrong, but that I am not sure why the secrecy is necessary.  Here is what happens if Congress approves TPA.  The TPP agreement then comes into the open, and as often happens, Congress “feels” pressure to go ahead and pass it too, without much examination or deliberation.  In addition, it strikes me as fundamentally undemocratic to keep whatever information the administration has such a secret IF it is really about free trade.  I could be wrong; it might be innocuous and even very beneficial.  I just don’t like secrecy when there seems to be no good reason (national security?) to be secretive.  One of the ideals of an “open society” is that is it essentially transparent in the dealings of the “government” toward those governed.  You can of course make all sorts of arguments that other countries are still involved in these sensitive negotiations.  But this isn’t business firms engaged in negotiations to merge, etc.  These are sovereign nations, and one of them is our own sovereign nation, whose leaders are selected by us, the people, under certain conditions of expectation.

I want free trade—I have said it before and will say it again.  But if this aspect of the trade pact is not in fact a true free trade agreement, I want it killed now and not have to rely on the vicissitudes of Congress, especially when the “up or down” vote requires only a simple majority and cannot be amended (I know, Congress can do what it wants in that respect, but will it?).  In short, as it stands there are too many unknowns.

Continue to count me as opposed to TPA, but NOT to a true free trade TPP that is deliberated above board and with all legislative safeguards.  Give me openness in government, and as much as possible.  That helps make it more accountable by exposing deliberations to the light of the public eye.