Fast-Track Trade Bill Overrides Democracy

I was disappointed in “Help Bush Push Trade” (editorial, Nov. 9), urging the passage of Rep. William M. Thomas’ (R-Bakersfield) fast-track trade bill. What the editorial did not mention was that this bill would expand “investor” rules that empower foreign corporations to sue over our environmental and labor laws. These provisions are already being used to discourage countries from adopting badly needed protections for the environment and the health and safety of their citizens.

I expect that expansion of these investor rules would vastly increase lawsuits against our duly passed laws and would potentially cost our taxpayers in the billions of dollars. That corporations, multinational or otherwise, have the authority to essentially wipe out hard-won laws passed by democratically elected representatives is indeed disturbing.

Joan Jones Holtz

El Monte

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Your “fast-track” editorial is so myth-ridden that it makes the case for more democracy, discussion and debate around trade, not less. If we need fast track to stop “industries with powerful lobbyists” from manipulating trade deals, why are these industries the chief boosters of fast track? If we need fast track so our country can negotiate trade deals, how was the Clinton administration able to complete 300 trade agreements, only two of which used fast-track procedures? And just how will waiving democratic procedures until 2005 for future trade agreements increase trade now as an immediate economic stimulus?

In reality, fast track serves one function: shielding unfair and environmentally destructive economic rules from full democratic debate.

Mark Vallianatos

Pomona