Political Quotes

“A vote for this rule damages our environment. I am all for trade, but trading clean water for sour, pure air for fouled, open justice for star chamber proceedings, that is not a good trade. Free trade is not 'free' when it comes at the expense of such imperatives. My concern about the failed Chapter 11 NAFTA model that this proposal endorses is similar to my concern about the mismanaging of this fast track trade debate. Both result from a secret, closed-door process, both ignore the Sierra Club, Consumers Union and others concerned with our sovereignty, our environment, and our health and safety; and both relegate important decisions to a self-selected few, although the burden will be borne by many. They violate the whole spirit of our Texas open-government laws. We could use a little Texas sunshine in on our trade policy. The only thing transparent about this fast track process is the heavy-handed, insular way that it has been handled by the Chairman since day one. A 'no' vote is a vote for openness, a vote for the democratic process, and for our environment.”