General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Before you jump on Obama over the Monsanto amendment, take a minute and read this [View all]CitizenPatriot
(3,783 posts)Thanks Will, for the update on the rider. I didn't see any admissions, but this really pissed me off:
"O'Neil added, the language did not originate with Mikulski. Rather, it was included in legislation that had been developed before she took the chairmanship. Democratic leaders, including Mikulski, were under pressure to pass a funding a bill quickly as Democrats and Republicans in Congress were eager to demonstrate they could deal with a budget deadline without creating the type of fiscal showdown that has defined the last several years."
BTW, the first link took excerpts from this post, that someone posted here yesterday and there was a good discussion:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2576469
here's more from the original:
http://www.politicususa.com/congress-sequester-crisis-slip-corporate-give-monstanto.html
"An executive order cannot make new law; only Congress can do that. An executive order tells a Presidents administration how he wants a law implemented; it gives direction to officers and agencies of the executive branch. But heres the real kicker: Even if President Obama were to sign an executive order to label our food (we have no indication as to whether he would be inclined to do so), Congress could deny funding its execution, just as they have with his order to close Gitmo.
When it comes to laws, it always comes back to Congress. Our food safety has been severely compromised by corporate lobbyists ever-tightening control over our representatives. If people really want things to change, they need to be able to identify the individuals behind these cowardly acts. "
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SEETHING.
Edited to shorten/clarify