House passes far-reaching food safety bill

AP via Breitbart ^ | July 31, 2009 | MARY CLARE JALONICK

[MamaTexan]

Our government has gone insane and is in the process of destroying the very foundation that it sits upon.

All the American people can do at this point is stall. Play stupid and act wisely by preparing for the total government control of our food sources.

Governments have done it time and time again. Control the food, weapons, medical resources and monetary supply...and you control the populace.

-----

Of the Simplicity of Criminal Laws in different Governments
In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also in despotic governments:
in the former, because they are everything; in the latter, because they are nothing.
The Spirit of the Laws - Book VI
By Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu

If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute.
Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791

[Lazamataz]

It was a pun.

....no, no, no, not a PUN, what's that thing what goes the same way backwards as forwards.

A *PALINDROME*!

[Zeppelin]

Most of the quote was word for word...just not the "eating" part.

We are a nation built on the strength of individual initiative. But there are certain things that we can’t do on our own. There are certain things that only a government can do. And one of those things is ensuring that the foods we eat …are safe and don’t cause us harm.

http://www.foodsafetyworkinggroup.gov/FSWG_Key_Findings.pdf

[The Great RJ]

This gives the FDA carte blanche to move into regulating anything produced for human consumption. It could mean the FDA will now set the standards for local food establishments. Want to enjoy a hot dog at your kid's soccer game prepared by parents as a fund raiser..don't bet on that being allowed. The Amish selling home made pies and preserves at a roadside stand...not without federal inspection. Farmer's markets...not allowed under FDA rules. Wait until the FDA takes on nutritional standards.

[maryz]

The government estimates that 76 million people each year are sickened by food-borne illness, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized and around 5,000 die.

Anyone have any idea what they might be basing these "estimates" on? AFAIK, I have never been "sickened by food-borne illness," and I'm not even especially careful!

[St. Louis Conservative]

It won’t get 60 votes in the senate.

[JimRed]

He who controls the food supply...

[glock rocks]

Unintended consequences:

Oh, they're intended.

[reformedliberal]

I expect this to be widely ignored at the gardener/farm market/fundraiser level. There will be test cases as some people who are affected sue the inspectors.

This is reminiscent of the laws regulating childrens’ items, which began to affect even yard sales. I believe regulatory changes were made after a lot of citizen anger. Please correct me if that is not so.

Personally, I have already begun to give away container vegetable plants to anyone who wants one, with advice on how to grow them, both indoors and out. I do expect this law to increase the prices on all fruits and vegetables. I know farmers who raise beef for people on an individual basis. The consumer buys the beef, the farmer keeps it in pasture until slaughter, the consumer is responsible for the processing. I believe as long as the numbers of beef involved per farmer are quite low, there is no regulatory involvement. We have many small processing plants out here and a new one is being built right now. Whatever the regulations, they did not prevent this business from forming. A lot of folks have chickens and eggs are commonly given away Spring to Fall. I see no way to stop this.

Most of the farmers and ag business folks out here voted for zerO, especially the largest organic co-ops.

[ladyvet]

Control the food...control the people.

[Concho]

G-dam right it is, this is the Monsanto bill in disguise. We have to stop this in the Senate. If this comes to pass, you wont even be legally allowed to have a garden. This bill is a facade to protect Monsantos Genetic Mutation seed.

If this passes, you will bow to the Lord Monsanto or they will sue you and break you as they are doing to small farmers already up and down the Great Plains.

[nevergore]

Never ....Never......Freep with your zucchini in your hands......

Shame on you, this isn’t that kind of site.... :^)

[Lurker]

It won’t get 60 votes in the senate.

Wanna bet?

[NorwegianViking]

I wanted to repeat what you said again, because I think it is so very important. “The Congresswoman who sponsored this bill, Rosa deloro....her husband is the leading lobbyist for Monsanto.” This is an excellent observation. Follow the money. I fear this bill greatly. It will impact the use of vitamin and herb supplements.

[Concho]

It aint about vitamin and herbs and gardens, it is about the total farm economy. It is about the total food production of this country. The home gardens and your herbies and vitamins will just be collateral damage,,,,you have to look at the big picture.

[NorwegianViking]

Yes, I agree with you. I am extremely angry with the power grabbing bill! There are so many drawbacks to it. “Who controls the food, controls the people”-—a truer statement could not be. I also saw yesterday where the U.S. wheat supply was zero. It was a 2008 quote, so I don't know how good it is. I love my vitamins as I love my goat milk, and Farmers Market. Too much government control! States Rights! Sorry I did not make myself clear that I abhor the bill. Our nation was built on a strong farm economy. This bill will cripple it, but then that is want Obama and his minions want.

[Billg64]

They have already stated that they will be suspending the need for sixty votes in the senate

[CottonBall]

Yes and while it doesn't specifically target home gardens, the bill is worded in such a way that it would be possible for the government to have the power to tell you what you can grow.

Ping to DW!

[mysterio]

Irradiate the food like they do in Europe. Safe and effective.

[metmom]

Great. More government trying to protect us from ourselves.

I hardly know anyone who has even had real food poisoning, much less anyone who has had salmonella .

All the government regulation in the world isn’t going to banish the bacteria or protect people who are careless.