Showing posts with label Food Safety Modernization Act. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food Safety Modernization Act. Show all posts

Monday, May 2, 2011

SUN JOURNAL LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Fuel prices, by CCTA Chairman Raynor James

4/29/2011
Fuel prices are steadily climbing. Our government is encouraging Brazil to drill and providing help for that effort while failing to issue permits to drill for our own oil.

Food prices aren’t far behind oil prices. It costs more to truck supplies to your grocery store. Right now, we can buy from local farmers and trade produce with our gardening friends, but just wait until the so-called “Food Safety Act” is fully implemented. Remember to thank Sen. Richard Burr when you get upset about this one. I like much of what Sen. Burr does, but his vote for the “Food Safety Act” infuriated me.

Unemployment is rampant. Our government taxes and regulates our entrepreneurs (who could solve this problem if left unfettered) to the point of making it almost impossible to create a profitable venture. Government is growing. Free enterprise is shrinking.

Americans’ innate rights are being treated as a gift from the government. That same government is steadily eroding our rights and removing choices from us. What part of “...the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” is so difficult to understand? Why should I be forced to use light bulbs that are difficult to read by, make everyone look jaundiced, and can kill the baby and the puppy if a bulb is broken and the clean up isn’t handled properly?

Our government is treating our friends as enemies, and our enemies as friends. Why are we in Libya? How many of the rebels we’re supporting are jehadists who would like to kill us?

We seem to be going along with the United Nations in favoring Palestine over Israel. Why? Why is much of our media silent about the increase in attacks against Israel?

Health care costs are rising. Access to good health care is shrinking. Because of its design, Obamacare will cost more and more while providing less and less. Unions and Obama cronies can get exemptions. For the rest of us, implementation is going forward apace even though a judge has declared it unconstitutional. Goodness, I wonder why my rights are being ignored by a government that flouts the U.S. Constitution in the face of a court’s ruling; silly me.

We can fix this mess if we will. Our state legislators in North Carolina are taking steps in many good directions. I’m very grateful to them for it. Our biggest problems are on the federal level.

We need to drill in all the places America has oil reserves. We need to build refineries. We need to build nuclear power plants. Carefully, but build them. Americans will buy “green” and “alternative” sources of power of our own free will if and when they are perfected to the point of being convenient, reliable, plentiful, and priced to sell. Until that happens, let us choose what works for us using market solutions and common sense. The price of gas does NOT need to “necessarily skyrocket.”

We need to rescind the “Food Safety Act.”

We need to free ourselves from Obamacare.

We need to reduce the federal budget by 42 percent. Almost 42 cents of every dollar the federal government spends is borrowed. That’s got to stop or we’re headed for disaster. Can’t you just imagine a family trying to continue to live like that? Does the work “bankruptcy” come to mind?

We need to refuse to raise the debt ceiling.

We need to dramatically curtail the EPA and the FCC. They’re hurting our businesses and threatening our freedom. In the case of the EPA, much of the threat comes from acting as if unproven theories are facts.

We need to back out of entitlements.

We need to resign from the United Nations. Our sovereignty is too important to allow the U.N. to erode it. We need our autonomy. We do not need a world government. The more removed from the people a government is, the worse it tends to be.

The only war we’re appropriately fighting is the war against Muslim jihadist fundamentalists who insist that we must die or be converted to Muslims. Not acknowledging this will not stop the war. If we don’t stop them, the jihadists will keep attacking us and infiltrating our culture until we’re dead or wearing burkas. We must stop them.

Our friends in Israel are fighting a similar war. They are in an even more vulnerable position than we are. We need to declare quite plainly that “any attack on Israel will be treated as an attack on the United States of America.”

We need to carefully follow the United States Constitution. The powers of the federal government need to be contracted to fit within its design once again.

Raynor James, CCTA Chairman
New Bern, NC


© Copyright 2011 Freedom Communications. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

THE LAMEST DUCK EVER! OBAMA IS SO PROUD!

Dec 23, 2010


The Lamest Duck

President Obama at a White House press conference on Dec 22, 2010 was jubilant that the so-called "lame-duck" Congress delivered victories for him on a number of initiatives. "Obama said Congress had its 'most productive post-election period' in decades." "And it comes on the heels of the most productive two years that we've had in generations." (Bloomberg News) Recall that when Republicans were the "lame duck" Congress they passed zero legislation.

President Obama's only one regret is that the DREAM Act did not pass, but he has vowed to continue again with the next Congress. A true picture of "accomplishments" includes a 2011 annual budget that was not passed but temporary extensions were granted to keep the government running, a 2010 unemployment rate of 9.8%, and a deficit of $1.3 trillion.

Most Recent Congressional Actions

Senate--New START Treaty.

On Dec 22 the Senate ratified the new START treaty, a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia. The vote was 71 to 26 and 3 did not vote. Senator Burr voted against it and Senator Hagan voted for the treaty. Eleven Republicans broke rank and voted with the Democrats and they are: Senators Alexander (TN), Brown (MA), Cochran (MS), Collins (ME), Corker (TN), Gregg (NH), Isakson (GA), Johanns (NE), Lugar (IN), Murkowski (Alaska), and Snowe (ME).

A key problem with the treaty is that it allows Russian coordination over U.S. plans for a global missile defense system. Interestingly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently warned the U.S. Senate that the New START treaty "cannot be reopened, becoming the subject of new negotiations," according to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010

The legislation passed on Dec 18, which allows gays and lesbians in the military services to openly flaunt their sexual preferences. The vote was 65 to 31 with 4 not voting. All Democrats voted for the repeal, except Senator Manchin (D-WV) who did not vote. Both Senator Burr and Senator Hagan voted for the repeal.

Eight Republican Senators voted with the Democrats including Senators Burr, Kirk (IL), Ensign (NV), Brown (MA), Voinovich (OH), Murkowski (Alaska), Collins and Snowe (ME).

Senator Burr's vote was a surprise since he did not indicate his support for the repeal previously, and initially agreed with Republicans in a procedural vote in bringing the measure to the floor. However, when the final vote was taken he voted for repeal. Politico reported that Senator Burr said, "It's just that we've had a generational change and I have vehemently objected to making a policy change of this magnitude at this time. When cloture was passed, that settled that," "It's not accepted practice anywhere in our society, and it only makes sense. But again, I was vehemently opposed to the timing of this."

[In checking Senator Burr's website several times, no comment is posted concerning his vote, as of Dec 23, 2010. His office is closed for Christmas, but they will be contacted for a comment upon reopening.]

According to Politico, Senator Collins said, "I didn't expect eight. I was delighted but surprised with the vote from Sen. Burr. I think that was a gutsy vote and I was delighted. But he was not someone who I thought to lobby on the issue." [A lot of people were surprised.]

Gay-rights leaders and White House officials were on hand to congratulate themselves for legislation which just a week ago was thought to be dead. Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is "historic," according to Obama and reported by Politico. Joe Solmonese, president of the gay-rights group Human Rights Campaign said, "Today, we pulled out a victory from what was almost certain defeat just a few days ago."

Pat Buchanan believes this is a "political payoff" to the "homosexual rights lobby," at the "expense of our military." Among the military most opposed to the repeal are combat veterans who "warn that this will create grave problems of unit cohesion and morale." Buchanan also stated, "Marines have been sacrificed by the Democratic Party and Barack Obama to the homosexual lobby, with the collusion of no fewer than eight Republican senators."

Continuing Appropriations Act 2011

On Dec 21, the Senate passed a fiscal year (FY) 2011 funding bill to keep the government running through March 4, 2011. Senator Burr voted against it and Senator Hagan voted for it. The funding continues at the FY 2010 levels since the Congress has not passed a 2011 budget. The 2010 budget deficit is about $1.3 trillion, but the accumulated debt is nearly $13.9 trillion while the debt ceiling is at $14.3 trillion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

9/11 Healthcare Bill

The Senate unanimously approved the bill on Dec 22 for first responders who became ill as a result of 9/11. The $4.3 billion bill funds healthcare for the first responders at $1.8 billion and allows $2.5 billion to "re-open the Victim's Compensation fund," according to Senator Gillibrand's (D-NY) office. [Note: Exact cost figures are slightly different in other publications, but approximate these.]

House of Representatives

Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act

On Dec 22, the House agreed with the Senate amendments and passed legislation in a vote of 215 to 144 with 74 not voting.

NC Representatives voting for the act: G.K. Butterfield (D-1st), Bob Etheridge (D-2nd), David E. Price (D-4th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Heath Shuler (D-11th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).

NC Representatives voting against it: Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), and Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th).  Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-3rd), and Howard Coble (R-6th) did not vote.

9/11 Health and Compensation Act

The House passed legislation to fund the healthcare of 9/11 responders on Dec 22, and the vote tally was 206 to 60 with 168 not voting.

NC Representatives voting for the act: G.K. Butterfield (D-1st), Bob Etheridge (D-2nd), David E. Price (D-4th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).

NC Representatives voting against it: Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), and Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th).  Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-3rd), Howard Coble (R-6th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th), and Heath Shuler (D-11th) did not vote.

Continuing Appropriation Bill 2011

On Dec 21, the House agreed with the Senate on a $250 billion bill to keep the government running through March 4, 2011. The vote was 193 to 165 with 75 not voting.

NC Representatives voting for the bill: G.K. Butterfield (D-1st), Bob Etheridge (D-2nd), David E. Price (D-4th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), Heath Shuler (D-11th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).

NC Representatives voting against it: Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), and Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th).  Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-3rd) and Howard Coble (R-6th) did not vote

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

House May Block Food Safety Bill Over Senate Error

A food safety bill that has burned up precious days of the Senate’s lame-duck session appears headed back to the chamber because Democrats violated a constitutional provision requiring that tax provisions originate in the House.


By pre-empting the House’s tax-writing authority, Senate Democrats appear to have touched off a power struggle with members of their own party in the House. The Senate passed the bill Tuesday, sending it to the House, but House Democrats are expected to use a procedure known as “blue slipping” to block the bill, according to House and Senate GOP aides.
http://www.the912project.us/forum/topic/show?id=2881797%3ATopic%3A1798117&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_topic

Friday, November 19, 2010

Food Safety Modernization Act (S 510)

The Lame-Duck Congress is Acting at Break-Neck Speed on Several Bills But Not on Taxes and the Current Fiscal Year Appropriations Bill

On Nov 18, 2010, the Senate approved a motion to proceed on the consideration of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Senator Burr voted against it and Senator Hagan voted for it. The Senate may vote today, Nov 19, 2010, on this legislation a version of which passed in the House on July 30, 2009. Although Senator Burr is a co-sponsor of the bill, according to a staffer in his office Senator Burr did not support the legislation in its original form. Senator Burr believes as a co-sponsor he can help direct and shape the final product because he wants to protect small farmers and small businesses. On the surface, the food safety bill may sound as if it is consumer friendly, protecting us from disease such as salmonella, E. coli etc. However, opponents such as the editor of Natural News has called the bill "the most dangerous bill in the history of the United States of America."

It grants the government new power of the "public's right to grow, trade and transport any foods." The new regulations require detailed records and a $500 annual fee for any farmer producing food items, including those selling to restaurants and Farmer's Markets.


Senators Tester (D-MT) and Hagan (D-NC) have crafted an amendment to the food safety bill that they say will protect small farmers from federal regulations. Under the amendment, "small producers will continue to be regulated at the state and local level." The amendment applies to "small producers who sell most of their food directly to consumers, local restaurants and retailers within a 275 mile radius," and that earn $500,000 or less annually, according to Senator Hagan's website. (The Wall Street Journal is reporting 400 miles as opposed to 275 miles for producers selling food products.)

The bill gives the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) more power to regulate food producers, giving them recall authority and massively increasing regulations and fees etc. (Remember when the FDA recalled tomatoes citing a NC producer when it was actually a Mexican producer?)

The National Independent Consumers and Farmers Association has stated: "S-510 will have the unintended destructive consequence of eliminating small farms and consumer access to local food. The main threats to food safety--by the government's own admission--are centralzed production, centralized processing and long distance transportation. The food safety bill will increase these risk factors by further consolidating agriculture into fewer, larger industrial farms through enormous regulatory burdens that small farms cannot endure. Small farms and farmers markets are an important economic engine, environmental safeguard and national security asset."

The National Coalition of Sustainable Agriculture supports the bill with the Tester-Hagan amendment and the Managers Amendment that "provides for a USDA-delivered competitive grants program for food safety training for farmers, small processors and wholesalers , provides more flexibility to minimize the burden of compliance with regulations, minimizes the number of standards, provides exemptions for low/no risk farms, removes certain wildlife-threatening enforcement, and reduces record keeping/traceability requirements for small farms." They do not support the House version.

Total cost of the bill starts at $3.4 billion (not including implementation costs), according to the Congressional Budget Office.

If the legislation passes in the Senate it will require House approval since the House bill, sponsored by Rep. Waxman (D-CA), was a different version of the bill.

If you are passionate about this bill:  Call Senators and Representatives and ask them to vote "No" on the "Food Safety Modernization Act."

Senator Burr (202) 224-3154; Senator Hagan (202) 224-6342
Representatives: G.K. Butterfield (D- 1st) (202) 225-3101; Bob Etheridge (D-2nd) (202) 225-4531;
Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-3rd)(202) 225-3415: David E. Price (D-4th)(202) 225-1784
Virginia Foxx (R-5th)(202) 225-2071; Howard Coble (R-6th)(202) 225-3065;
Mike McIntyre (D-7th)(202) 225-2731; Larry Kissell (D-8th)(202) 225-3715;
Sue Myrick (R-9th)(202) 225-1976; Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th)(202) 225-2576
Health Shuler (D-11th)(202) 225-6401; Melvin L. Watt (D-12th)(202) 225-1510;
Brad Miller (D-13th)(202) 225-3032.