Look, having the government spy on millions of people is not a good thing. But, it’s fascinating to me the complete lack of interest the traditional media shows in going after an equally dangerous and, arguably, a more damaging power exercised by the president: the power to seize away Congressional power when it comes to trade, and pushing through trade deals cobbled together in secret.

Up front, let’s understand why this happens. Most transcribers of press releases (formerly known as “journalists”) are ideologically blind to economic issues. A lot of them took Economics 101 in college where they were schooled about the great wonders of “free trade.” To them, questioning “free trade” is like questioning motherhood — you just don’t do it.

So, those transcribers of press releases — and the editorial boards of news organizations — simply aren’t that interested in digging into the secrecy surrounding negotiations on trade deals. This is nothing new. It goes way back to NAFTA…ah, yes, ancient history.

I thought of this timely connection after getting an alert from the good people at Global Trade Watch. It tells of a letter signed by 39 freshman Democratic members of Congress to Sander M. Levin, Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Committee and Nancy Pelosi. The highlights:

“Thus, we write with serious concerns about both the Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement (TPP FTA) now being negotiated by the Obama administration and the prospect of Congress delegating wide swaths of its Constitutional authority to regulate trade (Article 1, Section 8) to the president through ‘Fast Track’  or any other open-ended delegation of ‘trade promotion’ authority…”

The quick refresher to folks reading here: “fast track” authority gives the president the power to negotiate a trade deal and put it before Congress for an up-or-down vote, no amendments allowed. Which essentially makes Congress’ role almost a rubber stamp.

It’s fascinating by the way to point out another connection to secrecy and executive power. This is a bi-partisan disease: when they rule the roost, Republican and Democratic president want to grab more power, whether that be power over spying, war or economic issues.

Honestly, I find the attack on Congress’ congressional authority to have a real say over trade more troubling, in a way, than the NSA scandal. Privacy is central to a democratic society. I’m not minimizing that. But, letting a president essentially sign away the future ability of millions of people to have a decent job, and for the environment to be ravaged by corporations marauding through countries stripped of regulation thanks to the almighty “free market” and “free trade”, is scarier.