In the face of the recent passing by the senate of the ‘food safety’ bill H.R.2751, previously S. 510, that will put the FDA in control of the nations food supply,Vermont citizens have made a declaration that the agency and government have no right to determine or restrict the food choices of the People of Vermont. “The Vermont Resolution for Food Sovereignty” was brought forth by the Vermont Coalition for Food Sovereignty, it makes a statement to the United States government and the FDA that all citizens who want to protect their freedom of food should stand behind.
The Vermont Resolution for Food Sovereignty
WHEREAS All people are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and
WHEREAS Food is human sustenance and is the fundamental prerequisite to life; and
WHEREAS The basis of human sustenance rests on the ability of all people to save seed, grow, process, consume and exchange food and farm products; and
WHEREAS We the People of Vermont, have an obligation to protect these rights as is the Common and Natural Law; and in recognition of the State’s proud agricultural heritage; and the necessity of agricultural, ecological and economic diversity and sustainability to a free and healthy Society;
THEREFORE, Be it resolved, that We The People, stand on our rights under the 10th Amendment to the US Constitution and reject such Federal decrees, statutes, regulations or corporate practices that threaten our basic human right to save seed, grow, process, consume and exchange food and farm products within the State of Vermont; and,
Be it further resolved, that We The People, shall resist any and all infringements upon these rights, from whatever sources that are contrary to the rights of the People of the State of Vermont.
This Resolution is a clear and timely reminder of our rights as humans on this Earth and citizens of a country that was to be based on the freedom to live full, prosperous lives. We live in a Democracy? When you do a simple search of the bill that this resolution stands against, the top links are to articles talking about what a devious and dangerous act it is, ‘a snake hissing in the grass’. The people spoke out heavily against S.510 so fervently that the passing was done in an underhanded, undemocratic way. Pushed through in a late night proceeding right before Christmas and hidden in a spending bill (
http://healthfreedoms.org/2010/12/21/republicans-democrats-collude-to-pass-food-safety-bill/), it was forced to passing by those in office in order that they may gain more power.
On the Coalition’s site,
http://vermontfoodsovereignty.net/, they call for preemptive action to protect the small farms of Vermont. The determined and protective mindset is nothing new to the state which has made other respectable decisions that have preserved the beauty of their land and health of its people. Vermont tops the 2010 results of Americas health ranking, something that can be attributed to ideals that keep its capital of Montpeiler the only one in the U.S. without a McDonalds.
Having low immunization coverage is something that should be seen as an achievement, not a challenge and seeing as they are the healthiest state it seems that the citizens are making educated decisions about what they put into their bodies. Now they are taking action to protect a local and healthy food supply by rejecting the ‘Food Safety Act’. May the country stand behind this Resolution and encourage their own local leaders to adopt the same kinds of values. Visit the Coalition’s site and learn how you can get involved!
And how do we go about declaring this resolution in our own states. As Ron Paul said, "Enough is enough!"
Here's a little more info on the Food Safety Modernization Act:
http://vermontfoodsovereignty.net/2011/01/fda-food-safety-modernization-...
In total agreement, I'd like to see this petition circulate through all 50 states and really send this message home!