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Trade deals are eroding our way of life

Chemainus - There are two so-called free trade deals on the horizon. One, as mentioned by Trudy Thorgeirson of Duncan is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The other is the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union. Also in the works are several one-on-one trade deals. e.g. South Korea, Israel.

But let's go back to an earlier one, NAFTA, for a second. NAFTA, at its core continues to be about shifting the power in the economy from governments to corporations as in shifting jobs to developing nations where workers work for a lot less money. I don't believe it was ever expected to help small business so it's not difficult to figure out what has been happening to our middle class in recent years.These global trade deals, when signed by the Harper government, will reinforce this trend and will add more far-reaching restrictions to our economy and humanity. Think environment, safety regulations and pharmaceutical costs for a start, while continuing to watch our social programs all but disappear.This is for real folks. Today's global "corporatism" is demanding this from all leaders of countries who have opted into or been forced into this present day era of globalization.They, the corporations, want it all as do the shareholders.Where do you think all the good middle class manufacturing jobs have gone? Ask yourself too, why can't my well-educated son or daughter get a decent job? This is what the Occupy Movement and Idle No More was all about. I think it's time we all began to rethink what is happening to our world or at the very least begin to get interested.Oh! And don't count on the corporate media to inform you. We have to seek out alternative media and/or non-governmental websites not to forget to mention the letters to the editor segments in the local papers.Gloria CopeChemainus