Trans Pacific Partnership will destroy middle class

To the editor:

Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP, was passed by the Senate on June 25. The TPP may put the death nail in the coffin of the American middle class. We will know for certain when parents get a panic call from their Iowa State University engineering or University of Northern Iowa business graduate, saying, 'Mom and Dad, I don't know what to do, I've just been 'in-sourced.” I need to train my replacement or I get no severance and they are paying my replacement 1/4 of what I was making with no benefits.”

The parent's disbelief will finally soak in and they will realize that America got sold out. I have hope and my greatest hope is for my youngest child. The book 'Fourth Turning” describes my youngest child who is like the World War II's greatest generation. They are quiet, conservative, smart, they pray and have a cynical view of the American dream. Tough economic times are facing us all. This generation will be saddled with some of America's greatest challenges yet.

If you have children or grandchild in this generation (17-23 years old), please guide them, encourage them and pray with them.

I'm from the generation of 'sex, drugs and rock ‘n' roll.” This generation is the polar opposite. My youngest called me and said, 'Dad, I bought a vinyl player.” I said, you mean a record player? She said, 'OK, yes, and it should arrive at home. Let me know when it comes and, Dad, I just love that old vinyl.”

Kevin Schneider

Cedar Rapids