The Senate May Be Paid to Vote, but the Cost Is Small Time

Who would possibly have thought that securing Obama’s Fast Track authority for the passage of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade treaty could have been bought and paid for? This is a major trade deal that, among other things, strips national governments of their sovereign authority—including the United States.

Wonder of wonders, it has been done. Wonder of wonders, it only cost business and industry a mere $1,148,971, an average of $17,676.48 ‘donated’ to each of the 65 “yea” votes. They probably could have achieved it even without the additional 48 cents. My eyes mist over at the thought.

The most powerful nation on the planet gives in on the cheap.

The terms of this treaty are so secret that Congress has only been given brief glances at portions, sworn to secrecy and not even allowed to take notes. Now with the passage of Fast Track, meaningful debate is entirely removed from the process. Your jobs, cost of medicines, environmental standards—even access to the internet is now en…