Big Changes, Little Changes
Hard to imagine how it got like this, but I'm glad to see these policies being challenged and erased. From the NYT:
I don't like government intrusion in my private life, but I don't mind government governing. Now we learn that the government has to ask a criminal company's permission to recall its products.
We don't eat peanut butter three times a week at our house, the kids have moved on the Hot Pockets, but of course this isn't about peanut butter. Remember last year, the Bush administration's FDA actually prohibited a meat packer from testing for mad cow disease. For the past eight years the government has turned on its citizens, requiring them to tolerate whatever was convenient for big business. How about the FDA's ruling on melanine in baby formula? C'mon, we could go on all day, showing where the FDA has protected business while risking the health of American citizens.
It's time for it to stop.
WASHINGTON — Even though federal health officials have begun a criminal investigation into whether the Peanut Corporation of America deliberately sold contaminated products, the government still needed the company’s permission last week before announcing a huge recall of its products.
The wording of the recall statement had to be approved by the company before the Food and Drug Administration could publish it under current rules. The agency relies on cooperation from food makers to ensure the safety of the food supply even when those makers are suspected of crimes. Peanut Product Recall Took Company Approval
I don't like government intrusion in my private life, but I don't mind government governing. Now we learn that the government has to ask a criminal company's permission to recall its products.
On Monday, President Obama promised a “complete review of F.D.A. operations.”
“I think that the F.D.A. has not been able to catch some of these things as quickly as I expect them to catch,” Mr. Obama said in an interview on the “Today” show.
The president said Americans should be able to count on the government to keep children, including his daughter, Sasha, 7, safe when they eat peanut butter.
“That’s what Sasha eats for lunch probably three times a week,” Mr. Obama said. “And, you know, I don’t want to have to worry about whether she’s going to get sick as a consequence to having her lunch.”
We don't eat peanut butter three times a week at our house, the kids have moved on the Hot Pockets, but of course this isn't about peanut butter. Remember last year, the Bush administration's FDA actually prohibited a meat packer from testing for mad cow disease. For the past eight years the government has turned on its citizens, requiring them to tolerate whatever was convenient for big business. How about the FDA's ruling on melanine in baby formula? C'mon, we could go on all day, showing where the FDA has protected business while risking the health of American citizens.
It's time for it to stop.
posted by JimK at 9:10 AM
15 Comments:
We all remember last week when Barry "Exception" Obama said his Treasury Secretary's failure to pay taxes was "no big deal".
Now, he says he fully supports Tom Daschle.
Similarly to Democrats who want to raise taxes on others but evade them themselves, Barry "Exception" Obama has made new rules about lobbying activities but doesn't think he should have to follow them.
I guess this will be known as the Obama Doctrine: "the rules don't apply to me, I'm a special exception".:
"Barack Obama promised a "clean break from business as usual" in Washington.
It hasn't quite worked out that way.
From the start, he made exceptions to his no-lobbyist rule.
And now, embarrassing details about Cabinet-nominee Tom Daschle's tax problems and big paychecks from special interest groups are raising new questions about the reach and sweep of the new president's promised reforms.
On Jan. 21, the day after his inauguration, Obama issued an executive order barring any former lobbyists who join his administration from dealing with matters or agencies related to their lobbying work.
Nor could they join agencies they had lobbied in the previous two years.
However, William J. Lynn III, his choice to become the No. 2 official at the Defense Department, recently lobbied for military contractor Raytheon.
And William Corr, tapped as deputy secretary at Health and Human Services, lobbied through most of last year as an anti-tobacco advocate.
"Even the toughest rules require reasonable exceptions," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
That was a big step back from Obama's unambiguous swipe at lobbyists in November 2007, while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.
"I don't take a dime of their money," he said, "and when I am president, they won't find a job in my White House.""
That Barry O.
He's an exceptional fellow.
The mooncalf made this comment on another thread too. Afraid people might not read his empty commentary?
I put it both places because I thought people might not be still reading the other thread which is getting a little stale now.
Glad to see you've calmed down, Robert.
We wouldn't want people to think you're a lunatic.
btw, I've been making a lot of criticisms of Obama however he has inpressed me in some ways.
Apparently, he had Democrats to the White House yesterday to encourage them to remove some of the social agenda stuff from the stimulus bill because he was concerned that the public was beginning to perceive that the bill was an out-of-control spending vehicle.
At least he's listening to critcism.
this one's for Andreary:
President Barack Hussein Obama!
He had two key nominees drop out today within hours of each other because they had been discovered to have evaded taxes.
Another first for this historic presidency!
What's next?
Bong parties with Michael Phelps in Columbia?
Andrea- not anon
Good Job, Brownie. Water Boarding. WMD in Iraq. Yellow Cake. Katherine Harris To name just a very little of what happened in the last 8 years.
President Barack Hussein Obama!
Andrea- not anon
My president Barack Hussein Obama said he screwed up. He said he made a mistake and he said it on TV - he is once again so much better than Bush. Bush could never admit he erred in 8 years- it was always someone else's fault- and his faults were deep.
Anon- your remarks mean nada. You are no one I respect in any circumstance and in terms of this president, you are totally meaningless.
I am happy every day that Obama is the president. There will be mistakes and he will still be so much better than Bush and miles ahead of the misery that McCain and Palin would have inflicted on the US.
"I am happy every day that Obama is the president."
Well, Republicans are getting happier by the day too.
So many firsts. The guy's historic!
The Bush legacy continues to shine brighter by the day.
Iraqis gave sweeping victories to the party of Maliki who negotiated a status of forces agreement with the U.S.. Sunnis who sided with the U.S. also triumphed up in Sunni areas.
Iraqis want peace, stability and democracy.
Iran loses. Al Sadr loses. Al quaeda loses.
Iraq wins. The U.S. wins!
The first Arab democracy.
It wouldn't be if Obama had been president two years ago.
The first Arab democracy.
It wouldn't be if Obama had been president two years ago.
Oh barryo, you forgot one! Bush already had great success bringing democracy to another Arab nation:
Hamas Sweeps Palestinian Elections, Complicating Peace Efforts in Mideast
Ooops! The terrorists won the election!
That wouldn't be if Obama had been President three years ago.
and what form of government would you prefer, Bea?
with democracy, there's always a chance a bad guy will win but it's preferable to change power without bloodshed
with democracy, there's always a chance a bad guy will win
Don't we know that! Why do you think so many Americans voted for change in 2008?
it's preferable to change power without bloodshed
Raise your hand if you think Hamas achieved power in Gaza without bloodshed!
"Don't we know that! Why do you think so many Americans voted for change in 2008?"
They're beginning to wonder. Obama's approval rating has dropped to 63%.
Bush was doing better after two weeks.
Obama's approval rating has dropped to 63%.
That's right barryo. More than half of Americans approve of Obama. And exactly the same number, 63% of Americans disapprove of Congress.
and?
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