First, let me say I am absolutely against GMO (genetically modified organisms) in my food and do everything in my power to avoid them. I am also against companies like Monsanto who creates many of these monstrosities and coerces farmers to use their frankenseeds.
On the other hand, I also believe the government should not be given more power and control over our food… in fact, I’d rather see them virtually disappear… end the FDA and send their corporate Monsanto cronys to jail.
Some people are upset because Rand Paul recently voted NO on a GMO labeling amendment to the farm bill “to permit States to require that any food, beverage, or other edible product offered for sale have a label on indicating that the food, beverage, or other edible product contains a genetically engineered ingredient.”
While I agree with the concept of labeling our food… I do not agree the government should be mandating it. Get the frigging government out of our lives! If we let the FDA control labeling, you can count on their corporate counterparts to corrupt that too.
Here’s what Dr. Paul said about the issue…
The federal government lacks constitutional authority to mandate labeling of products containing genetically-modified food. Furthermore, those who do not wish to consume genetically-modified products should be leery of federally-mandated labeling because history shows that federal regulatory agencies are susceptible to ‘capture,’ where the regulators end up serving the interest of the business they are supposed to control. In the case of labeling, federal agencies could redefine the meaning of ‘modified’ to allow genetically-engineered food on the market without fully-informing consumers of the presence of genetically- engineered ingredients. Instead of federal regulation, consumers should demand that manufactures provide full information and refuse to buy those products that are not fully labeled. Once producers see there is a demand for non-genetically-engineered products they will act to fulfill that demand. Of course, makers of genetically-engineered food should be held legally responsible if they fraudulently market their products or harm anyone. – Ron Paul
Yeah! Let the free market reign.
You and I have the power to choose whether we eat GMO or not. If companies refuse to label… assume they are using GMO and DON’T BUY THEIR FOOD. We can all use our wallets to demand that companies give us what we want… and we can withhold our wallets from those companies that do not give us what we want. If a company fraudulently labels their product as containing GMO or not, then we should hold them accountable in the courts.
It’s the free market folks, and Rand’s vote was consistent with the Constitution. I agree the amendment might have been one where the “issue” was of importance to me, but the Constitution trumps my pet issues… and the Constitution should be YOUR guide as well if you truly believe in the liberty movement.
Here’s a video from the Token Libertarian Girl that addresses a few ideas and I agree with:
Thanks to organizations like www.nongmoproject.org/ to help us identify those products that contain GMO. Shop at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods and encourage other companies to follow their example of complete transparency on this issue.
