re: pork barrel: somebody smarter explain this TPA shite that just got passed

Politicians hire their wives and daughters as assistants or consultants. Or the special interests hire the family. And politicians get to keep unspent campaign funds when they retire.

Bottom line as I understand it is that it's supposed to give the president authority to negotiate trade deals based on certain criteria and the submit to Congress for approval with an up or down vote with no changes.

But it was negotiated in secret - except there's ample evidence well connected lobbyists and corporations were privy to the language - and God knows how much was inserted to give advantage to the well connected. Also many votes were tied to an extension of the Export Import Bank which secures foreign loans for our companies to sell stuff abroad....basically Section 8 Housing for large companies to get paid on exports. Obviously though...its in our best interests to secure credit for mom and pop exporters like Boeing and GE.

It's hard to find good info but when you have the amount of money involved, insider access and staunch Conservatives joining hands with Obama on trade authority...I doubt much good can come of it.

Or AKA business as usual....