There is some new legslation on Capitol Hill that is worthy of serious attention. Senate Bill S 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010, may be the most dangerous and over reaching bill ever proposed in the history of the United States of America. If passed, the Food Safety Modernization Act would be a serious and far reaching extension of the federal government’s regulation of the food industry.
The Bill which was proposed by U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois would preclude any person’s right to grow, own, trade, transport, share, feed and eat each and every food that is not grown by a government approved agency or organization. This means it would be illegal to grow, share, trade or sell homegrown food. It will also come with an expected price tag of $825 billion for this year alone, if passed .
Although there is no such authority in the Constitution with respect to the control of food, it notes that products not grown according to designated standards of the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be considered adulterated. As such, individuals found guilty would be subject to warrantless searches by inspectors from the government. There is a complimentary bill to S 510 in the House (H.R. 2749) that even provides the National Guard and other Federal authorities the right to impose martial law in order to “prohibit or restrict the movement of food.” The exact language of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 can be found in Section 133b of the House Bill which is sponsored by Congressman John Dingell of Michigan.
This bill reflects both what is wrong with Washigton and how big and expansive government has become. In summary the bill will manage and control each person’s individual right to produce, distribute, and consume the foods they desire. It is scary that something like this would even be proposed. But it is not suprising, since money speaks louder than the citizens of this country. So be careful, the apples or tomatoes you grow in your back yard may be a federal offense soon. –torrance stephens, ph.d.
For more with Dr. Stephens, visit twitter.com/rawdawgbuffalo and rawdawgb.blogspot.com.
