Mad cow - Who does the USDA protect?

You or the cattle industry?

Spokeswoman for the Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman is Alisa Harrison. Before she got that job, what do you think she was doing? Directing public relations for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the beef industry's largest trade group.

Oh yes she was.

How about the Ag Sec's chief of staff, Dale Moore? What was he doing before he got that job? Chief lobbyist for the cattlemen's association.

Oh yes he was.

In a national economy, is the producer's interest your interest as well? In a global economy, just how do you balance the interests of trade with the interests of the people? I was just reading recently a report from some indigenous island fishermen whose livelihood was ruined when their country sold fishing rights to large European companies, because the island government desperately needed the money. It's a tricky question. I don't have the answer.

But I have a wee problem with having industry lobbyists given jobs in the regulating organizations they lobbied. Gee. Once upon a college course I researched a paper on the EPA and found that the overwhelming majority of the people charged with regulating environmental standards simultaneously sat on boards of corporations that were being environmentally regulated. I haven't checked lately, but I have a sneaking suspicion that is still the case. Like it would matter anyway. Does the EPA do anything any more? Is there still an EPA?

At the very least, it seems there may something of an interest problem in having the USDA be responsible for promoting American agricultural products and protecting the food supply at the same time.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.