TPP and FASCISM – HOW MUCH MONEY DOES IT TAKE TO BUY A CONGRESSMAN?

Never underestimate the effectiveness of a straight cash bribe. –

Claud Cockburn

The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money. – Alexis de Tocqueville

If Christianity is a mere invention of man, and the Bible is not from God, how can infidels explain Jesus Christ? His existence in history they cannot deny. How is it that without force or bribery, without arms or money, He has made such an immensely deep mark on the world as He certainly has? –  J. C. Ryle

TPP and Fascism

TPP and Fascism – how much money does it take to buy a Congressman to vote for Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).? The amount is surprisingly low.  As you know, I believe we have become a fascist country. My basis is that transnational companies write our laws, then they pay congressmen in the form of donations to vote for the law.   Examples are Obamacare; Patriot Act; Dodd Frank; Graham, Leach, Bliley and now TPP.  Each of these were thousands of pages written outside of Congress, handed to Congress and then Congressmen passed the legislation with most not reading because of the length or the fact that they were only given hours to read it.   Ron Paul stood out in Congress because he refused to play the game and few others stood by him.

Amount Required To Bribe A Congressman

This week, Alex Pieteroski revealed how little it takes to bribe a Congressman for his vote.[1].   I have written on the TPP before and have downloaded the principle parts of the 6,000 page monster but have not had time to analyze it completely. See my articles on it here and here.  The TPP signs away American Sovereignty and it almost beyond belief how aggressive the transnationals have become in encroaching on the rights of Americans.  It would not have been possible if Congress had any moral compass to do what is right for the American people.  However, when they get to DC, they enter a special cocoon of isolation from the people and their interests. Everything becomes “Stay in power and get reelected.”   I believe that the time has come for “Two Terms and you are out.”

Obama and the Democrats as well as the Republicans are rushing through the TPP.  Alan Pietrowski says,

“The U.S. President has made his support clear with statements such as, “We are both soon to be signatories to the TPP agreement,” a comment Obama made on Nov. 19, 2015, after his bilateral meeting with new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.”

Pietrowski further says,

• “Out of the total $1,148,971 given, an average of $17,676.48 was donated to each of the 65 “yea” votes.
• The average Republican member received $19,673.28 from corporate TPP supporters.
• The average Democrat received $9,689.23 from those same donors.”

Finally, he supplies further information by Senator based on their campaign contribution revelations.[2]

Democrats

• Ron Wyden of Oregon and Patty Murray of Washington – $52,200 together
• Michael Bennet of Colorado – $57,700

Republicans

• Rob Portman of Ohio – $119,700 – $70,600 from Goldman Sachs, $15,700 from Pfizer, $12,900 from Procter & Gamble
• Johnny Isakson of Georgia – $102,500
• Roy Blunt of Missouri – $77,900 – $13,500 from Monsanto
• Tim Scott of South Carolina – $67,500
• Richard Burr of North Carolina – $60,000
• John McCain of Arizona – $51,700
• Chuck Grassley of Iowa – $35,000

The above contributions were made to get the “fast-track” bill passed that gave Obama the authority to speed the TPP through Congress, without having its contents available for debate or amendments. This negates the function of the Senate to debate, review and amend per the Constitution.

The job of Congressman is to maintain a steady hand guided by his moral compass to do what is right for his constituency.   However, under the influence of routinely receiving campaign money, lucrative job offers, and lavish gifts from special interests, they forget their “raison d’etre” in making their decisions. As long as this kind of corrupt behavior remains legal, we will not have a government that truly represents the people.

The TPP is being driven through Congress by paid off politicians, and our sovereignty is being further destroyed in favor of a new kind of global fascism. Is it any wonder that government is becoming less and less trusted by the voters?

Conclusion

Data from the Federal Election Commission shows all donations that corporate members of the US Business Coalition for TPP made to US Senate campaigns between January and March 2015, when fast tracking the TPP was being debated in the Senate:

• Average of $17,676.48 was donated to each of the 65 “yea” votes out of the total $1,148,971 given
  • Republican member received $19,673.28 from corporate TPP supporters.
  • Democrat received $9,689.23 from those same donors.

Obviously, the Republicans are pushing this through Congress because of their strong desire to be reelected not their strong desire to do “what is right” for the American people.

[1] Pieterowski, Alan “This Is How Much Big Business Paid US Senators To Fast-Track The TPP Deal”, Waking Times, December 5 2015

[2] Gibson, Robert “Taylor Channing: TPP Campaign Contributions “, Robert Gibson, May 5, 2015