rights, rights, rights - no responsibilities

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR, one more of a long line of liberal politicians talking about how people have a "right" to all sorts of things, claims that Americans have a "right to a policy free of special interest giveaways.", when he, Blumenauer, is speaking for a special interest himself. Then see how Blumenauer turns it all into a fundraising letter so he can support the agendas of special interests that support him. This “everybody has a right” stuff reminds me of all the ads that begin with “You deserve….”. American’s don’t have a RIGHT to anything other than what is guaranteed in the constitution and they don’t “deserve” anything. They have to work for it.

Check out Blumenauer's 6/29/2007 e-newsletter:

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to write for a leading national political blog, Talking Points Memo's Table for One, laying out my case for reforming this year's Farm Bill and offering a Food and Farm Bill of Rights.




Americans have a right to a policy free of special interest giveaways.
American taxpayers have a right to a fiscally responsible policy.
Americans have a right to a policy that serves all farmers.
Americans have a right to a safe and healthful food supply.
American children have a right to good nutrition.
Americans have a right to local supplies of fresh food.
Americans have a right to a policy that promotes energy independence.
Americans have a right to a policy that protects the environment.
Americans have a right to preserve farmland from sprawl.
Americans have a right to a policy that fosters sustainable farming practices.
The initial response to this blog post was both humbling and remarkable. Many of the largest progressive political blogs around the country - including Daily Kos, Eschaton and The Atlantic Online, among others - promoted this effort. In total, hundreds of bloggers and commenters offered their thoughts, ideas and questions about the Food and Farm Bill of. One environmentalist blogger called this "a watershed moment for [agriculture] policy and blogs." The Democratic National Committee even featured the Food and Farm Bill of Rights on both its official blog and on the front page of its Rural Americans page.To build on the initial successes of this effort, I am putting the power of my campaign behind promoting my Food and Farm Bill of Rights and trying to reform this year's Farm Bill so that it reflects the needs of the 21st century rather than the political realities of the 1950s. Over the month, I have advertised across the internet to increase the exposure of my Food and Farm Bill of Rights and get the grassroots involved in the coalition to write a better Farm Bill. And I need your help to sustain this effort. Your contribution of $1000, $100 or $25 today would go a long way in helping me reach out to the grassroots base, whose support is necessary to success in this endeavor. Thank you in advance for your help and support in this matter,



Earl