Yesterday, the President of Peanut Corporation of America, Stewart Parnell, was drug up to Capitol Hill to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In the spirit of anti Capitalism the liberals in Washington espouse, previously scolding Big Tobacco, Big Oil, Big Finance, now, Big Peanut was front and center.
It appears from the outside that Peanut Corp, may be facing some liability regarding the salmonella outbreak, but really, do we need Congressional hearings? How much did this political theater cost the taxpayers? More grandstanding with props, more scolding.
Jeffrey Almer, whose mother Shirley died as a result of eating the tainted peanut products was also on hand to testify. He said, "Cancer couldn't claim her, but peanut butter did.........She was let down by the government whose responsibility is to protect it's citizens." Huh? I've read the Constitution and protection from peanuts isn't in there. There are inherent risks associated with life Mr Almer. Governments' job is not to hold your hand from the moment you pop out of the womb until you assume room temperature, although there are more and more of you out there who think this way. If Peanut Corp. did something illegal or criminal, then proceed with legal action in a court room, not this dog and pony show in DC on the taxpayers dime.
If the Democratic led Congress were serious about doing something about Big Peanut, they should immediately assemble a Blue Ribbon Commission and hold more hearings. Their findings would most likely result in the creation of a Peanut Czar. Jimmy Carter will be summoned to head up the Office of Peanut Safety. After Card Check passes Congress and is signed into law, make sure the peanut plants become unionized. Create a 200% excise tax on peanuts and peanut related products. Pass a 20 billion dollar bailout for the peanut industry to offset lost income from the salmonella outbreak period. (of course, 20 million would go to Big Peanut, the rest can go to pet projects such as studying the mating habits of the neon yellow purple lipped tiger striped goby) Hire 1,000 Federal Peanut Police to continually monitor peanut safety. And finally, once that it's been documented that the free market can't regulate the peanuts properly, the Feds will simply move in and Nationalize the peanut plants.
Once these actions are taken and a jar of peanut butter will finally cost 12.00, peanut products will finally be safe Mr Almer. Or will they...........................because we know how great the government is at managing things.
