Scared to eat

October 11, 2006

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Downsizer Dispatch <downsizer-dispatch

Oct 11, 2006 1:29 PM

Scared to eat

alobar

D o w n s i z e r - D i s p a t c h

Spinach, carrots, and lettuce... oh my! Yes, we're all supposed to be

scared of our food supply.

Hysterical journalists complain, despite the fact the spinach problem

was caught relatively quickly, contained, and sourced down to one

distribution center. We need . . . More bureaucrats. More money.

Tougher regulations. Heck, one network said we need a new, streamlined

agency to oversee all the affairs of farms -- too many alphabet soup

agencies are involved and that's just not tidy and efficient.

Essentially, they're saying, " Upsize DC " or " Centralize DC. "

Obviously, we don't agree. In fact, we think a compelling argument

could be made for Downsizing DC's role in monitoring our food supply.

Such an argument goes like this . . .

Killing customers is bad for business. The company wants them to buy,

not die. The negative publicity hurts stock prices. The injuries and

death mean lawsuits and damages. Responsible employees know heads will

roll. Their insurance premiums will go through the roof. And sometimes

the business in question even closes its doors after a scandal. Thus,

these companies have every incentive to protect their customers.

What creative ways might they devise to protect their customers? Can

the governing of agriculture be handled at the state level instead of

the federal level?

But there's something even more sinister at work here. We've talked

about it before. The problem is something called Codex Alimentarius, a

set of food codes created by the World Trade Organization. The purpose

of these codes is to regulate all food and supplement offerings to

make them consistent across the globe. Allegedly, this is good for

trade, and it is if you're a multi-national corporation or a

government. But for the mom and pop farm it's an expensive,

complicated nightmare that could regulate and tax these farms out of

existence. This would also diminish innovation and dive rsity in our

food supply.

The multinational corporations and the internationalists want mom and

pop dealt with -- removed. Government regulation will be used to drive

the family farm out of existence. It's good for business.

See, WE ALSO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT OUR MEAT SUPPLY.

We're supposed to be scared to eat -- and willing to accept any

regulation that will protect us. And it's in this environment that the

National Animal Identification System (NAIS) was introduced. And the

hype of recent days about our food supply is one more manipulation

designed to pave the way for more federal government regulation,

control, and taxation -- the family farm, be damned.

The National Animal Identification System (or NAIS) is a corporate

welfare program for agribusiness and surveillance technology

companies. NAIS will drive family farms out of business and raise the

price of your food.

For one thing, NAIS will force family farmers to obtain electronic

tracking tags for each animal they own.

This is very bad deal for farmers. The cost of these tags will range

from 3 to 20 dollars for each animal. There are many other fees

associated with the program and very heavy fines for incorrect

reporting.

These costs will destroy the small profit margins of family farmers.

But these rules won't apply to corporate-owned factory farms! Large

corporate farms will need just one group tag to account for scores of

animals. Can the corporate welfare be any more transparent than that?

NAIS is being implemented state by state, instead of by sweeping

federal regulation. Sure, the Department of Agriculture is working

with each state to make it happen. But as an Arizona state legislator

told us, it's happening nearly in secret. Most legislators don't know

or understand what they're being asked to pass.

Here's the pressure point for DC Downsizers: If the Department of

Agricu lture would stop pushing this animal tracking agenda, it would

die.

Congress must stop the Department of Agriculture from pushing NAIS.

And in order to move Congress, we're going to need to push with a

message on this issue. Please, send Congress a message telling them to

stop all federal initiatives to implement NAIS or promote its passage

in the states. You can do so here.

Don't buy into the fear. Enjoy your food. Appreciate the fact that in

the United States food is less expensive, more plentiful, and safer

than virtually anywhere else. It's a great country -- an excellent

place to eat. Let's keep it that way.

Send a message to your representatives in Congress today.

And then, pass this message on to a friend.

Jim Babka

President

DownsizeDC.org, Inc.

D o w n s i z e r - D i s p a t c h

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October 11, 2006

D o w n s i z e r - D i s p a t c h You can do so here.Don't buy into the fear. Enjoy your food. Appreciate the fact that in the United States food is less expensive, more plentiful, and safer than virtually

anywhere else. It's a great country -- an excellent place to eat. Let's keep it that way.Send a message to your representatives in Congress today.And then, pass this message on to a friend. Jim BabkaPresidentDownsizeDC.org, Inc. D o w n s i z e r - D i s p a t c his the official email list of DownsizeDC.org, Inc. & Downsize DC Foundation CONTRIBUTE to the Electronic Lobbyist project http://www.DownsizeDC.org is sponsored by DownsizeDC.org, Inc. -- a non-profit educational

organization promoting the ideas of individual liberty, personal responsibility, free markets, and small government. You are encouraged to forward this message to friends and business associates, and permission is hereby granted to reproduce any items herein as long as attribution is provided for articles and the subscription instructions above are included. IF you have difficulties or inquiries, simply hit reply to this message. We're eager to help, including with requests to . "Get off your ass and take your government back." ~Rocky Ward

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