REALLY BAD EGGS? IT’S WORSE THAN I THOUGHT

FOOD POLICE = FOOD TYRANNY

Last week (May 29), I blogged about Sen. Feinstein’s proposed legislation to impose meddling regulations on the egg industry. You can read Senate Bill 3239 here.

It’s worse than I thought. The American Thinker website has a devastating analysis of the consequences of this legislation, and if this monstrosity gets passed, get ready for more crippling regulations on meat, poultry, milk, and of course sweetened beverages.

From the article by Mindy Patterson [my emphases]:

One day soon, America could wake up to a dozen eggs costing $8 or more. And unless you are involved in some aspect of farming or agriculture, you would never know that egg prices are about to skyrocket or the reason why. . . .

With HSUS’ vegan animal rights platform as the motivations behind crafting a controversial egg bill, S. 3239 was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Friday, May 25, 2012, inching U.S. egg producers closer to a mandate which would require them to phase out conventional cages for egg-laying hens and transition to a system called “enriched colony cages” by 2029, at a cost to U.S. egg producers ranging between $4 billion to $10 billion.

And while most Americans shrug their shoulders and live their lives, they are completely unaware of how this regulation will affect the cost of food and its availability in the future. . . .

Instead of improving productivity for the American egg industry and supporting our farmers and ranchers, these imposed regulations will incrementally squeeze egg producers out of business. Fewer egg farmers means fewer eggs. Fewer eggs mean higher prices for the consumer, and importing more of our food from other countries where neither animal welfare nor food safety is top priority.

While these regulations may seem reasonable on the surface, the agenda behind them lies within the organization pushing these cleverly crafted laws, cloaked in a disguise of emotional propaganda used to advance these proposed regulations into law. HSUS is an organization that makes no bones about its mission to push anti-animal agriculture regulations, or any stiff regulatory reform on American farmers and ranchers. Just consider the goal of HSUS’ lead policy director and vegan activist, J.P. Goodwin, who has gone on record by saying, “My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture.” . . .

After all, the ultimate goal of HSUS is about empty cages, not bigger cages.

. . . . now is not the time to stand by and allow an anti-egg-consuming animal rights organization to righteously dictate the future of U.S. egg producers and the future of our domestic food supply. Years ago, as an observation of foreign oppression, Henry Kissinger once said, “If you control the food supply, you control the people.” Today, Americans are facing food tyranny on our own shores, which must be stopped. I implore everyone to contact his or her U.S. representative and senator and urge them to vote no on this rotten egg bill, S. 3239, and its identical counterpart in the House, H.R. 3798.

Call your representatives on Monday or Twitter / Facebook / e-mail them now.

· Sen. Sherrod Brown DC: (202) 224-2315

· Sen. Ron Portman (and mention your opposition as well to the Law Of the Sea Treaty

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/robportman

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/robportman

Email: http://portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-form

D.C. Office Ph#: (202)224-3353

· Rep. Marcia Fudge: 202-225-7032

· Rep. Dennis Kucinich: 202-225-5871

· Or find your representative here.

· Co-sponsor Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) is up for re-election. His office/fax number: Phone: (617) 565-3170 / Fax: (617) 723-7325

Wake Up America! Rep. Maxine Waters Has a Message for You!

With a little slip of the tongue, Rep. Maxine Waters (D) unveils the true agenda of the liberal Democrats and Obama supporters....

Where, Oh Where Did He Go? Is Senator Portman L.O.S.T.?

For Immediate Release May 31, 2012

Marianne Gasiecki State Co-coordinator (OH) Tea Party Patriots (419) 961-4439

Is Senator Portman L.O.S.T.?

Law of the Sea Treaty

Ohio - May 31, 2012.  In 1982 President Ronald Reagan refused to sign a treaty known as the Law of the Sea (LOST).  This United Nations convention would raid America's wealth and redistribute it to the rest of the world through an international bureaucracy headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica. The Obama Administration, with the help of Senator John Kerry (D-MA), has revived this treaty and is holding hearings designed to illustrate its supposed benefits and generate support for its ratification. One of the more dangerous of this treaty's provisions is Article 82, which requires the United States to forfeit royalties generated from oil and gas development on the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.  "That money, which one estimate says could be worth many billions, if not trillions of dollars, would go to the International Seabed Authority, a new international bureaucracy created by the treaty and based in Jamaica. Heritage's Steven Groves explains that from there, America's money could be shipped to the Middle East, Africa, China, and even state sponsors of terror."  (Heritage.org Morning Bell).   "Twenty-six Republican Senators have signed a letter addressed to Harry Reid, stating they will oppose ratification of the sea treaty.  Senator Portman is NOT one of them," said Marianne Gasiecki, Founder of the Mansfield Tea Party and Ohio State Co-coordinator for the Tea Party Patriots.  "Apparently, Senator Portman doesn't understand that it's the interest of the United States and the U.S. Constitution that come first, and the best way to protect those rights and our constitution is with a strong military, not another treaty that will be ignored by other countries, particularly China and Russia."  There are other seriously dangerous provisions in this treaty that were expressed in the letter presented to Harry Reid, " the Law of the Sea Convention encompasses economic and technology interests in the deep sea, redistribution of wealth from developed to undeveloped nations, freedom of navigation in the deep sea and exclusive economic zones which may impact maritime security and environmental regulation over virtually all sources of pollution."    "As with the unconstitutional appointment of Richard Cordray, Senator Portman is refusing to take a clear stance, and instead says that he has 'issues and concerns'," stated Ralph King, Founder of the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots and Ohio State Co-coordinator for TPP.  "His only concern should be the protection of the United States as a sovereign nation."  Mansfieldteaparty,com Clevelandteaparty.com Teapartypatriots.org - ## -

Paycheck Fairness Act: A Democrat Election Year Distraction

As expected, the Democrats will do, use, or say anything in attempts to turn the argument away from President Obama's 4 yrs of failure and the Democrat-led U.S. Senate failure to pass a budget in over 3 yrs.

Floating like a hot air balloon of hypocrisy to hide their own "Democrat War on Women", the Democrats, using the Paycheck Fairness Act, are out thumping their chest on equal pay for women - even though they pay their own female staff less than their male staff...

From the Republican Policy Committee -

For almost 50 years, workers have been protected against sex-based pay discrimination through the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA) and Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was recently amended through the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 (Pub.L. 111-2). Despite these laws, Democrats are pushing a new political vote -- the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 3220). They expect to schedule a floor vote next month.

The bill was last brought before the Senate for a vote in November 2010, when the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed by a vote of 58-41. Senator Nelson (NE) joined Republican Senators in opposing cloture.

The Paycheck Fairness Act is another election year distraction that will harm job creators and will not put Americans back to work.

Sex-Based Pay Discrimination is Illegal

Enforcement and litigation statistics from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) show that while sex-based discrimination unfortunately still occasionally occurs in the workplace, both the EPA and Title VII already provide ways for those who are discriminated against to file successful complaints and access financial remedies.

In fiscal year 2011, there were 32,789 claims of sex-based discrimination resolved under Title VII.

• The EEOC determined that there was no evidence of discrimination in 63 percent of those cases -- the highest percentage of claims without reasonable cause in 15 years.

• Of the 19.5 percent of meritorious allegations, only 2.8 percent were unsuccessfully resolved.

• Workers received more than $150 million through successfully resolved Title VII and EPA discrimination claims last year, the largest amount awarded in 15 years.

Given that the current system is working, it appears Democrats simply want to make it easier for employees to file discrimination charges against employers regardless of whether there is evidence to support those claims.

The Pay Disparity Fallacy

A 2009 report commissioned by the Department of Labor found the wage gap exists because of individual choices, not because of discrimination in the workplace. In fact, women between 22 and 30 often earn more than their male peers. However, as men and women balance their work, personal, and family lives differently, the report found that women tend to prefer non-wage compensation -- such as health insurance and working fewer hours -- to greater financial compensation.

The White House’s 2011 report “Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being” supported this idea, as married men spent more time at work (8.8 hours) than married women did (7.6 hours). It is not unreasonable to think that someone who spends more time working earns more money. So, while there may be a “gender-hours gap,” that does not mean there is a gender-wage gap or employer discrimination; in fact, it is likely a conscious decision made by each individual.

The Impact on Job Creators

To address alleged discrimination, the Paycheck Fairness Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 by creating a new EPA standard for acceptable salary differences between male and female employees. Under the new language, the differences must not only be “job-related,” but also “consistent with business necessity,” although what constitutes “necessity” is open for a jury or court to decide. Additionally, if employers decide to say that the difference is consistent with business necessity, they would still have to prove they could not implement an alternative that would produce the same business outcome without creating a difference in salaries.

The practical application means that, under the Paycheck Fairness Act, if a male employee were the lead on a project and his manager wanted to give him a bonus for completing that project, the manager would not be able to do so. Or if a male employee notified his manager that he had a job offer that included a higher salary, the manager would not be able to make a counter-offer that included a salary increase, because the pay discrepancy could expose the employer to discrimination claims.

While creating an environment where employers can no longer reward employees with a salary increase or bonus would hurt both employees and employers, other aspects of the bill would have an even more adverse effect on the economy.

• Under current law, the EPA requires that workers give written consent to join a class action lawsuit. The Paycheck Fairness Act would change that by automatically including all employees in the class, which would likely result in an increase of class action lawsuits being filed, make it easier to obtain class certification, and increase the size of the class, regardless of whether the suit has any merit.

• Under current law, the EPA prevents successful claimants from receiving compensatory or punitive damages while allowing them to earn back-pay damages. Additionally, while limited compensatory or punitive damages can be awarded under Title VII to claims where there was intentional discrimination, there is a cap on those damages at $300,000. The Paycheck Fairness Act would allow unlimited compensatory and punitive damages under the EPA -- even if the discrimination was found to be unintentional.

According to the “The Second Annual State of Women-Owned Businesses Report,” there are more than 8.3 million women-owned businesses in America, a number that has increase by 54 percent over the last 15 years and continues to increase at one and half times the national average. These businesses generate nearly $1.3 trillion in revenues and employ 7.7 million people. Even these small, women-owned businesses would be subject to the Paycheck Fairness Act’s sweeping changes and the increased possibility of expensive, frivolous lawsuits.

The Paycheck Fairness Act would apply to almost every business in America. By making it difficult for employers to defeat frivolous lawsuits, fostering larger class action cases, and creating an unprecedented level of remedies regardless of the intent to discriminate, the real winner with the passage of the Democrats’ bill would be trial lawyers. The increased liability that job creators would face could have a chilling effect on wage growth and hiring at a time when business should be encouraged to increase both.

Senator Rob Portman is "Lost" on LOST

Below you will find that Senator Jim Inhofe has submitted a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in opposition to the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), also known as the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST).

In our first contact with Ohio Senator Rob Portman, we were informed Senator Portman was against LOST.  When contacting Portman's office the following day to ask him to sign onto in support of Senator Inhofe's below letter - the subsequent response from his office - epitomizes the response of an elected elite legislator that needs to be replaced in his next election.

Again, as he did in supporting Richard Cordray's appointment as Consumer Czar, Portman takes a spineless, fence-sitting stance claiming he still has "issues & concerns" with LOST, is still researching it, has not yet taken a position, and refused to sign onto Inhofe's below letter against LOST....

The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Mr. Leader,

We understand that Chairman Kerry has renewed his efforts to pursue Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  We are writing to let you know that we believe this Convention reflects political, economic, and ideological assumptions which are inconsistent with American values and sovereignty.

By its current terms, the Law of the Sea Convention encompasses economic and technology interests in the deep sea, redistribution of wealth from developed to undeveloped nations, freedom of navigation in the deep sea and exclusive economic zones which may impact maritime security and environmental regulation over virtually all sources of pollution.

To affect the treaty’s broad regime of governance, we are particularly concerned that United States sovereignty could be subjugated in many areas to a supranational government that is chartered by the United Nations under the 1982 Convention.

Further, we are troubled that compulsory dispute resolution could pertain to public and private activities including law enforcement, maritime security, business operations, and nonmilitary activities performed aboard military vessels.

If this treaty comes to the floor, we will oppose its ratification.

Jon Kyl                          Jim Inhofe       
Roy Blunt                       Pat Roberts
David Vitter                  Ron Johnson
John Cornyn                 Jim DeMint
Tom Coburn                 John Boozman
Rand Paul                     Jim Risch
Mike Lee                       Jeff Sessions
Mike Crapo                   Orrin Hatch
John Barrasso              Richard Shelby
John Thune                    Richard Burr
Saxby Chambliss         Dan Coats
John Hoeven                 Roger Wicker
Jerry Moran                   Marco Rubio

Please contact Senator Portman's office to let him know that he once again let the voters of Ohio down.  And, that since he appears to be "lost" on LOST, if he wants to be reelected as a U.S. Senator from Ohio again - he better quickly find his way!

Senator Rob Portman 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/robportman

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/robportman
Email: http://portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-form  

D.C. Office Ph#: (202)224-3353
Cincinnati Office Ph#: (513)684-3265
Toledo Office Ph#: (419)259-3895
Columbus Office Ph#: (800)205-6446 (OHIO)

Stop the Plastic Bag Tax in Cuyahoga County & City of Cleveland

Working to collaborate and impose their Nanny-State, Enviro-Goon beliefs on us,  Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Sunny Simon & City of Cleveland Councilman Matt Zone are teaming up in attempts to create a plastic bag tax at the City and County level.  

From the PD -- 

Cleveland and Cuyahoga County want to work together to get rid of plastic grocery bags rather than fight over who has the power to restrict them.

City Councilman Matt Zone and County Councilwoman Sunny Simon -- along with the county health department, solid waste district and community activists -- will meet Friday to start hammering out how, exactly, to reach that goal.

Zone has considered a city-wide ban. Simon said in February she wanted to propose a countywide 5-cent tax for each bag provided by restaurants and stores. The stores would collect the fee along with sales tax, and the money could pay for education or environmental clean up.

Simon's proposal raised questions about whether the 17-month old county council, the product of a government reform movement, has the power to pass laws that apply inside the borders of the county's cities.

"I'm not going to do anything that's going to create unrest and litigation," Simon said. "I want to work collaboratively with cities and find common ground to implement. . . a bag ordinance that's hopefully going to satisfy the residents and the businesses in the county."

A self-described passionate defender of the environment, it is simple, Simon is willing to stretch the limits of her perceived power to push her progressive agenda.

While Simon says she doesn't want to create unrest and litigation, with Ohio being a "Home Rule" state, she is clearly testing the waters to see how much authority the new county council has in mandating on the political subdivisions within its' boundaries in the form of regulation and increased taxing powers.

Quoted in an earlier PD article on the proposed plastic bag tax, Sunny delightfully stated....

"I really want to do the research and be careful," she said. "This is something that's going to be testing the waters. With this new government and the charter, how far can we go to impact residents' lives?"

The convenient and cozy county/city collaboration on the proposed plastic bag tax is more than just a plastic bag tax.

This is a step closer to big government regionalism through Agenda 21 type sustainability programs. Furthermore, this sets a bad precedent by creating an avenue for Cuyahoga County Council to opening the start taxing anything deemed unsafe for the environment. Or even more....

- Take Action Now - 

First contact Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Sunny Simon and City of Cleveland Councilman Matt Zone to voice your opposition to their proposed plastic bag tax.

We then need to reinforce the message by contacting Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Cleveland Council President Martin Sweeney at the city level.  At the county level, please voice your opposition to County Executive Ed Fitzgerald and County Council President Ellen Connally.

Contact Info

Cuyahoga County Council

County Council VP Sunny Simon
Office: (216) 698-2035
Fax: (216) 698-2040
Email: ssimon@cuyahogacounty.us

County Council President Ellen Connally
Office: (216) 698-2023
Fax: (216) 698-2040
Email: ceconnally@cuyahogacounty.us

County Executive Ed Fitzgerald
Office: (216-443-7178
Email: Click Here 

To find your Cuyahoga County Council Member, click here.

City of Cleveland Council

Councilman Matt Zone
Council Office: (216)-664-4235
Ward Office: (216)939-1717
Email: council15@clevelandcitycouncil.org

Council President Martin Sweeney
Office: (216)664-2942
Fax: (216)664-3837
Email: council18@clevelandcitycouncil.org

Mayor Frank Jackson
Office: (216)664-3990
Email: Click Here

To write a letter to the Editor of the Plain Dealer opposing the plastic bag tax, submit online form at  www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/lettertoeditor.ssf or email to: letters@plaind.com.

Sustainable Development Funding in Ohio Budget

Marianne at the Mansfield Tea Party has been closely monitoring developments in northern Ohio that extend the tentacles of Agenda 21 into our region. Now we have an opportunity to slow down or stop these encroachments on our freedom. Here’s Marianne’s Alert:

Dear Fellow Ohioans,

As explained in previous newsletters, the Greater Ohio Policy Center, an affiliate of the national organization Smart Growth America, is an Agenda 21 organization funded by extreme environmental advocacy and other Agenda 21 based groups.

The Greater Ohio Policy Center is pushing for the inclusion of funding for the Sustainable Communities Initiative in the fiscal 2013 Ohio budget!

We cannot let this happen! Take Action!

Call your Senators and Representatives and tell them we cannot have our tax dollars spent through these programs! The purpose of these programs is the redistribution of wealth, promoting public transportation (light rail), water use restriction, and what they consider to be "equitable" housing, which is why HUD is involved. Click Here to read more about the Greater Ohio Policy Center's agenda. This link clearly supports the claims made in the previous paragraph regarding their purpose. Contact Information: State Senators State Representatives

Our Representatives and Senators must be educated on the agenda of these programs. Many are ignorant of the existence of Agenda 21, and it’s our job to make sure they see the light.

Thanks for all you do!