<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Whatever happened to local control is good?]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Ron Steenblik http://www.grist.org/article/the-new-conservatism-like-the-old-totalitarianism/ Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:54:36 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-new-conservatism-like-the-old-totalitarianism/1 Double-edged sword

While there are strong reasons for adhering to the principle of subsidiarity -- which holds that matters should be handled by the competent authority closest to the issue in question -- a principle which is also expressed in so many words in the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Commerce Clause of that same Constitution also requires the federal government to prevent barriers to free trade among the states.

But more fundamentally, while some states might legislate laws that are considered progressive, some have tried to pass laws that are anything but.

A case in point are the so-called "food-slander laws" that were passed by many states in the 1990s until Oprah Winfrey, the talk-show host, successfully fought off a suit by a group of Texas cattlemen who tried to seek damages from her after she made disparaging remarks about the safety of U.S. beef. Many people feel that such laws stifle continuing debate about what the safety of what we eat.

]]> Double-edged sword

While there are strong reasons for adhering to the principle of subsidiarity -- which holds that matters should be handled by the competent authority closest to the issue in question -- a principle which is also expressed in so many words in the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Commerce Clause of that same Constitution also requires the federal government to prevent barriers to free trade among the states.

But more fundamentally, while some states might legislate laws that are considered progressive, some have tried to pass laws that are anything but.

A case in point are the so-called "food-slander laws" that were passed by many states in the 1990s until Oprah Winfrey, the talk-show host, successfully fought off a suit by a group of Texas cattlemen who tried to seek damages from her after she made disparaging remarks about the safety of U.S. beef. Many people feel that such laws stifle continuing debate about what the safety of what we eat.

]]> Comment #2 by Sam Wells http://www.grist.org/article/the-new-conservatism-like-the-old-totalitarianism/ Sun, 03 Jun 2007 03:55:17 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-new-conservatism-like-the-old-totalitarianism/2 Remember State's Rights?

I seem to remember a major plank for the Republic Party was State's Rights - whatever was not specifically provided in the Constitution was left to each state.  I seem to remember that when Governor of Texas, G.W. BushCo pushed that button a few hundred times.

What happened?

I realize the the food industry has a truly global dimension.  I also know it is inherently local.  If folks in California try to market "Vermont extra sharp white cheese" lawsuits will happen.  Florida grouper was recently exposed as being mainly other kinds of imported fish, not even grouper at all.  Now a grouper sandwich is like twelve bucks.  

Thus my point is that TRANSPORT of foods should be regulated under the Federal Government once it crosses state lines, but not the food itself.
/sammie

Onward through the fog


]]> Remember State's Rights?

I seem to remember a major plank for the Republic Party was State's Rights - whatever was not specifically provided in the Constitution was left to each state.  I seem to remember that when Governor of Texas, G.W. BushCo pushed that button a few hundred times.

What happened?

I realize the the food industry has a truly global dimension.  I also know it is inherently local.  If folks in California try to market "Vermont extra sharp white cheese" lawsuits will happen.  Florida grouper was recently exposed as being mainly other kinds of imported fish, not even grouper at all.  Now a grouper sandwich is like twelve bucks.  

Thus my point is that TRANSPORT of foods should be regulated under the Federal Government once it crosses state lines, but not the food itself.
/sammie

Onward through the fog


]]> Comment #3 by Delay And Deny http://www.grist.org/article/the-new-conservatism-like-the-old-totalitarianism/ Sun, 03 Jun 2007 04:04:11 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-new-conservatism-like-the-old-totalitarianism/3 You Elected Them

Democrats hard at work, removing local rights and increasing Fed power:

http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/subcomms.html

Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry
Leonard L. Boswell, (D-IA) Chairman

Jurisdiction: livestock; dairy; poultry; meat; seafood and seafood products; inspection, marketing, and promotion of such commodities; aquaculture; animal welfare; and grazing.

Majority    

    * Leonard L. Boswell, IA
        Chairman
    * Kirsten E. Gillibrand, NY
    * Steve Kagen, WI
    * Tim Holden, PA
    * Joe Baca, CA
    * Dennis A. Cardoza, CA
    * Nick Lampson, TX
    * Joe Donnelly, IN
    * Jim Costa, CA
    * Tim Mahoney, FL

Minority

    * Robin Hayes, NC
        Ranking Minority Member
    * Mike Rogers, AL
    * Steve King, IA
    * Virginia Foxx, NC
    * K. Michael Conaway, TX
    * Jean Schmidt, OH
    * Adrian Smith, NE
    * Tim Walberg, MI

John Bailo, The "Denier Guy"
You Read It Here First





















]]> You Elected Them

Democrats hard at work, removing local rights and increasing Fed power:

http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/subcomms.html

Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry
Leonard L. Boswell, (D-IA) Chairman

Jurisdiction: livestock; dairy; poultry; meat; seafood and seafood products; inspection, marketing, and promotion of such commodities; aquaculture; animal welfare; and grazing.

Majority    

    * Leonard L. Boswell, IA
        Chairman
    * Kirsten E. Gillibrand, NY
    * Steve Kagen, WI
    * Tim Holden, PA
    * Joe Baca, CA
    * Dennis A. Cardoza, CA
    * Nick Lampson, TX
    * Joe Donnelly, IN
    * Jim Costa, CA
    * Tim Mahoney, FL

Minority

    * Robin Hayes, NC
        Ranking Minority Member
    * Mike Rogers, AL
    * Steve King, IA
    * Virginia Foxx, NC
    * K. Michael Conaway, TX
    * Jean Schmidt, OH
    * Adrian Smith, NE
    * Tim Walberg, MI

John Bailo, The "Denier Guy"
You Read It Here First





















]]> Comment #4 by s5 http://www.grist.org/article/the-new-conservatism-like-the-old-totalitarianism/ Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:19:45 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-new-conservatism-like-the-old-totalitarianism/4 Conservatism has no principles

Conservatism is only about "state's rights" when the federal government is trying to solve problems like pollution or slavery. When the states try to get in the act, they immediately shift to "syncing up state regulations to reduce the cost of compliance".

The only "principle" conservatives have is to create a permanent feudal state run by favored corporations.

]]> Conservatism has no principles

Conservatism is only about "state's rights" when the federal government is trying to solve problems like pollution or slavery. When the states try to get in the act, they immediately shift to "syncing up state regulations to reduce the cost of compliance".

The only "principle" conservatives have is to create a permanent feudal state run by favored corporations.

]]>