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| Subject: Via Anarcho-Capitalists' Forum: Libertarians participate in March Against Monsanto Sat May 24, 2014 4:02 am | |
| Tomorrow, May 24, 2014, the Libertarian Party of Collier County (LPCC) will walk arm-in-arm with Naples Progressives in their effort to raise awareness about the chemical company Monsanto. The march is part of a worldwide effort to educate the public as to how Monsanto has taken over the agricultural industry. Libertarian Party of Florida Gubernatorial candidate Adrian Wyllie will also be protesting tomorrow, however in Miami, Florida.
The LPCC is growing in popularity as it works 'across the isle' with both conservatives and liberals on different issues, which is the appeal of the Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Party of Collier County is the only political party in southwest Florida that fights for individual liberty, economic freedom, and limited government. The LPCC's involvement in the march is to educate the public as to free market solutions to Monsanto's grip on farming through its cronyism with government.
Most libertarians are against regulation with the exception of disclosure when it comes to finance and food products. Libertarian Party of Florida candidate for Attorney General, Bill Wohlsifer said this yesterday, "Libertarians recognize that not all laws are bad. But we apply strict scrutiny to even the most local ordinance. As candidate for Florida Attorney General my position on GMO Labeling laws is not to regulate an industry, but to provide consumer information and protection. I believe consumer protection is a proper role of government and a high priority for the people’s Attorney General."
Polls show that over 80% of the public would like genetically modified organisms (GMOs) labeled yet Monsanto continues to work to defeat proposed legislation and market-based alternatives to label GMOs with their powerful lobby and through political corruption. It should come as no surprise that people from all political backgrounds are joining together on Saturday to protest the worst offender in the contamination of our food supply, Monsanto. There are hundreds of other protests worldwide scheduled for the same day.
Jared Grifoni, Co-host and Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Collier County is one of the speakers and is expected to encourage boycotts and free market solutions. Ellen Hemrick, Co-host and organizer of Naples Progressives/Occupy Naples will urging government regulations, mandatory labeling, banning of GMO’s. Valerie A G Ouillette, from the Children of Vietnam Veteran’s Health Alliance will speak about the legacy of Agent Orange. Ken Alaimo, of Wild Heritage Farm is expected to talk about organic farming is sustainable and in-demand Clean Water Initiative of Florida which is working to eliminate pesticide contamination from local waters.
Monsanto, the makers of Agent Orange, Round-up and GMO food have been infiltrating the legislature and the FDA for many years. The Supreme Court, the White House staff, the Senate, the House and most of the FDA have strong ties to Monsanto. Monsanto literally writes the laws to benefit their worldwide monopoly of food and pesticides, while actively working to shut down small organic farmers, and utilizes their political cronies to pass them. The corporation, with the assistance of political insider collusion, has become so powerful that it bypasses the checks and balances Americans expect from their system of government resulting in a continued merger of corporate and state power.
Monsanto now produces the majority of corn, soy, and staple crops, holding patents on the seeds that have been made resistant to their pesticides through genetic modification. This has been linked to a 250% increase in food allergies, massive bee die-offs, and many health hazards. More than 90% of the corn in the US is thought to be GMO at this time.
Local residents call for boycotts, demand labeling of GMOs, an end to the political cronyism, and transparency on the secretive Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations happening right now in Washington and Asia. The negotiations, conducted by the Obama administration, are for a global trade agreement that would effectively elevate corporations above the laws of individual nations and exempt them from any oversight, regulation, and prosecution at all. The details of the trade negotiations are being kept from Congress and the American people.
There is also an event planned in West Palm Beach, Florida, however we have not heard if any Palm Beach County Libertarians are participating. Hundreds are expected at the Naples event which will begin at 4 p.m. at Cambier Park and the march will begin at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be donated by Food & Thought and Oakes Farms grocery stores. Genesis Non-GMO Vitamins & More, Trader Joe’s, and Pizza Fusion Naples have donated items to be raffled to support the march.
http://www.examiner.com/article/libertarians-participate-march-against-monsanto-tomorrow |
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