Political lessons from the egg recall.

[Atticus]

Listening to the news this morning, I heard that the Iowa egg producer apparently responsible for a salmonella outbreak and the recall of half a BILLION eggs has had problems with the law for several years. There have been charges of animal cruelty, environmental violations, sexual harassment of employees, even rape.

When one of the talking heads pointed out that none of these violations seemed contributory to the salmonella contamination, the other TH explained that the company had allowed the development of a corporate culture where violating laws was "no big deal". Illegal shortcuts were taken "casually" and any relatively inexpensive penalties were simply the cost of doing business. Certainly, there was no shame involved in illegal undertakings unless you somehow got caught and cost the company money.

So, we let Nixon walk.

Reagan and Bush Sr. got a total "pass" for the Iran-Contra mess.

And, Bush and Cheney? The sons-o'-bitches have ADMITTED to enough crimes to justify life in prison and forfeitures of their fortunes to the US taxpayers. But, prosecution and impeachment were taken "off the table."

Have we not allowed the development of a political culture where violating laws is "no big deal"?

You damn betcha we have and we are paying for it every day that those in public office KNOW that nothing will happen if they violate their oath of office, the Constitution or our nation's so-called "laws".

[RandomThoughts]

1. Hence why things have to happen now.

[Fumesucker]

2. But.. but.. We need to look forward and not backward..

It wouldn't be bipartisan to look backward.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. But don't you break the law! See how fast they throw the book

at you. Double standard. Having money means you get to slide, no money means you are a criminal.

And speaking of BILLIONS of eggs being recalled, does anyone else wonder what they do with all those eggs? Destroy all of them? Destroy some for the cameras and use the rest in processed foods or pet foods or animal feed? I always wonder.

[Critters2]

4. I used to live very near the facility where the first recall began.

The owner, Jack DeCoster is known throughout Iowa for his vile practices, and his close friendships with the GOP leadership, most notably gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad. He's been doing horrible things for years, with just a long series of slaps on the wrist from the state and Feds. It's time he pay a real penalty, like prison time. But he almost certainly won't.

[FedUpWithIt All]

5. After reading how he allowed human beings to be treated...

i am not sure i could stomach the treatment of the birds at one of his facilities.

[femrap]

6. Too bad that all his

hens can't peck his pecker off.:evilgrin: :evilgrin:

Where will all those eggs go? Landfill?

[Critters2]

7. I've been wondering the same. No idea where the eggs will go. nt

[bobbolink]

8. Into prepared frozen dinners. Into restaurant meals.

The list is probably endless.

Deli potato salad, anyone?

[librechik]

9. +1000 n/t

[LatteLibertine]

10. Yep

our buddy Dub-yah shelved the Clinton regulations that were supposed to be implemented.

Fines from regulations aren't going to work if it's actually more profitable for a company to take the fines rather implement/practice appropriate safety standards.

They need to be heavy and the folks deciding to order people to violate them need to be held accountable.

[depakid]

11. 'the development of a corporate culture where violating laws was "no big deal"

Precisely.

Same thing has happened with the corporate media- a culture of no accountability for what's said, and no mechanisms to separate objective facts from outright falsehood.