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SALT LAKE CITY — A document from Pres. Barack Obama's free-trade negotiations was leaked online Wednesday morning, revealing the Obama administration's intentions regarding multinational corporations.
The negotiations took place with eight Pacific nations and have been criticized due to the level of security that surrounded the talks. Some members of Congress even complained that they were not given access to the same documents the corporate officials received, the Huffington Post reports.
The leaked Trans-Pacific document reveals that the Obama administration plans to give multinational corporations greater political power than in the past and to advocate for policies that labor unions and environmental and financial reform activists have long opposed.
One proposed agreement would allow international corporations doing business in America to appeal American laws and regulations to an international tribunal, which would have the power to overrule American law.
One proposed agreement would allow international corporations ... to appeal American laws and regulations to an international tribunal, which would have the power to overrule American law.
According to campaign documents from Obama's 2008 campaign, Obama promised not to advocate agreements that prevent the U.S. government from "protecting the environment, food safety, or the health of its citizens; give greater rights to foreign investors than to U.S. investors; require the privatization of our vital public services; or prevent developing country governments from adopting humanitarian licensing policies to improve access to life-saving medications."
Study finds rise in liberals against a Mormon president
A new study has found that opposition to an LDS presidential candidate has risen among liberals since 2007, but has fallen slightly among Evangelicals.
Nearly 35 percent of respondents to a survey by the American National Election Studies said they were "less likely" to vote for a Mormon candidate, a nine-point increase since 2007. Thirty-three percent of Evangelicals expressed concern about a Mormon candidate, a figure comparable to the 2007's 36 percent.
The increase was even larger among liberals, with 43 percent of respondents reporting opposition to a Mormon candidate, as opposed to 28 percent in 2007.
The study also found that the most accurate predictor of whether a person would vote for Mitt Romney is how the person views Mormons: whether they are perceived to be patriotic, honest or hard-working. In 2008, the most accurate predictor was whether people viewed Mormons as Christians.
Michelle Obama has advice for Ann Romney
Michelle Obama has advice for Ann Romney: Enjoy campaigning.
I love people and I love this country and you get to see that when you're out there in ways that you normally wouldn't.
–Michelle Obama
That was the main message the first lady had for Romney when asked the question by Reuters.
Obama said what she loves about campaigning is the opportunity to meet people she normally would not have had the opportunity to talk to.
"I've learned to let go and enjoy that process," she said. "I think people are surprised when I say that I do love campaigning. Because I do. Number one, I love people and I love this country and you get to see that when you're out there in ways that you normally wouldn't."
"So my advice is - enjoy it. It's a privilege. And I get the sense that she is."
Poll finds more people still blame Bush
A new Gallup poll found that many Americans still blame former Pres. George W. Bush for the economic situation of the country.
The poll found that 68 percent of Americans blame Bush a "great deal" or "moderate amount," while 52 percent believe the same about Obama.
Forty-nine percent of Republicans blamed Bush for the country's economic woes, and 19 percent of Democrats blamed Obama.
"Americans continue to have more negative than positive views of the current economy and the direction in which it is headed, which generally does not bode well for Obama," Gallup wrote.
