"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary." ~ H.L. Mencken
Vermont's Raw Arrogance
Column by Alex R. Knight III.
Exclusive to STR
Of course, it’s already common knowledge for the most part that Vermonters have the temerity to carry firearms without any form of government say-so – even neighboring “Live Free or Die” New Hampshire will not suffer such uppitiness from the mere non-governmental hoi polloi. But another freedom – albeit not nearly as well known – exists here in the Green Mountains, one which must make the political psychopaths in neighboring regions fume with teeth-gnashing rage. For as evidenced in the press in recent times, government savagery is second-to-none when dealing with this perceived menace: Pennsylvania farmers have had their entire operations seized, and have been hit with insane fines on account of it. Recently, a group of women known as the Freedom Riders procured some, then went and consumed it in front of FDA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. A farmer in Minnesota has recently sworn to keep selling it, even if he’s jailed by government thugs. And as if these transgressions against the unquestionable authority of the State were not brazen enough, the Pennsylvania Amish have even gotten in on the act – leaving government agents no choice but to organize full-blown SWAT-style raids against these evil pacifists.I’m of course talking about raw milk. Yes, Vermonters actually have the gall to produce, sell, and consume it. And the parasites in Montpelier actually sanction it.To be sure, raw milk is made subject to numerous inspections and restrictions by said parasites, and is only supposed to be sold for “fluid consumption.” This means it is not supposed to be sold for “manufacturing of milk products other than fluid milk.”
Comments
Thank God for benevolent masters!
But if said unpasteurized fluid crosses a state border, it becomes subject to federal interstate commerce law, and anyone caught in the act is breaking federal law. Goodness, voting privileges may be permanently revoked from such offenders.
And if a Vermont farmer comes under suspicion of transporting milk to customers in New Hampshire, the Feds will invade.
Actually, all the raids I have read about have been federal, I believe, and not state. Most states probably don't really care too much one way or another, but the feds sure get a kick out of practicing their SWAT tactics.
Actually, after all is said and done, the states' opinions don't come into play at all when it comes to food. Here is an example from where I live:
http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2008-09-12/671872/
Support "black" markets whenever and wherever practicable.
Quietly.
Sam
Amen brother.
I trade goods for skills on fluid ad hoc barter deals all the time.
We get gifted, and we gift used goods and hand me downs.
Support trade without feeding the tax man, a small but essential blow for freedom.