Corzine Amendment

Support Corzine Public Services Amendment to FAST TRACK

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support Corzine Amendment

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Please support the Corzine Amendment to FAST TRACK. Our significant public services should not be privatized without debate and votes by our elected leaders. We don't want new trade agreements to undermine our Constitution, or change access to essential services.

We must ensure that trade agreements (like GATS and FTAA) don't include commitments to privatize significant public services, including:

National Security, Social Security, Public Health and Safety, and Education.

Any change in these areas should be fully debated, in Congress, and by state or local lawmakers. Rein-in the push to privatize public services. Please Vote Yes on the Corzine Amendment.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 16, 2002

Background Information

Senator John Corzine of New Jersey is sponsoring an Amendment to the Baucus-Grassley FAST TRACK bill. Public Services are under attack at the WTO (World Trade Organization) in the form of the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) and in the Americas in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).

Senator Corzine worked with many unions, including CWA, AFSCME, AFT, UAW, TWU, Teamsters and SEIU to craft this Amendment, now we should get the support from our Senators for the effort.

The push to privatize needs to be reined-in and this amendment requires the USTR (US Trade Representative) ensure that trade agreements not include commitments to privatize significant public services, including:

National Security; Social Security, Public Health and Safety, and Education.

Government involvement is needed to guarantee access to these kinds of essential services - and yet our government could be banned from supporting these services when private investors get involved.

Any change in this subject should be fully debated by our elected officials. We can't have the USTR give away access to these essential services, or holding back the ability of Congress, state or local lawmakers to set public policy.

Responsibility for US public services belongs here in the US, in our Congress. Ensure that new trade rules don't undermine our Constitution; support the Corzine Public Service Amendment to FAST TRACK.