We’re a dairy state that calls itself America’s Dairyland while banning sales of natural, unpasteurized milk to adults. This ban, and ones like it across America, are harder to justify each day. See, Advocates Say Raw Milk Is Worth The Risk: NPR. Even an critic of raw milk consumption, like FDA bureaucrat David Acheson would…
Laws/Regulations
Laws/Regulations
Wisconsin State Journal: Proposal Would Ban Dogs (and Other Animals, Too) from Many Madison Events
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s a proposal, offered at the request of a Madison businessman, to ban dogs, etc., from some public events, like fairs, in Madison. The businessman (Keith Peterson of Madison Festivals) runs some of these events, like the Taste of Madison. See, Proposal Would Ban Dogs (and Other Animals, Too) from Many Madison Events. That the…
Economy, Free Markets, Law, Laws/Regulations, Politics
Milk, Wisconsin Dairies, Competition, and Anti-Trust
by JOHN ADAMS •
Jessica Vanegeren of the Capital Times has a thorough story online about the dairy industry in Wisconsin and beyond, entitled, Does Dean Foods Have Unfair Advantage? Hers is thorough description of the Wisconsin dairy scene, emphasizing the influence of Dean Foods. I would only add that our outgoing governor has shown himself susceptible of pressure…
Laws/Regulations
Reason‘s June 2010 Nanny of the Month: Banning Ladies’ Night in Minnesota
by JOHN ADAMS •
Reason has a “Nanny of the Month” feature highlighting an official’s inane and wrong-headed effort to regulate or restrict activity in a community. This month, the winner’s “Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights James Kirkpatrick.” How did he win? Well, Kirkpatrick is “the state bureaucrat who’s thumbing his nose at the great Kool…
Law, Laws/Regulations, Liberty
Can Government Tell You What You Must Eat? Is There No Limit to Federal Power Under The Commerce Clause?
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s a lot of commentary about the Kagan nomination, although public interest seems tepid. I’ve not mentioned anything about her nomination, mostly because I have no strong view. I believe she’s surely adequately qualified in education, experience, and intellect. She’s no one’s ideal nominee, but absent a showing of official misconduct, the president’s qualified nominees…
Economy, Laws/Regulations
Dairy Prices: The Federal and Wisconsin Governments are Part of the Problem
by JOHN ADAMS •
There was a forum in Madison on Friday, at which dairy farmers gathered to complain about low milk prices. Many of them called for a probe of low prices for milk. See, At Madison Forum, Farmers Call for Federal Probe of Dairy Industry. At the meeting, participants tried to determine how, in the words of…
Laws/Regulations
Raw Milk Update
by JOHN ADAMS •
100% Natural Here’s a raw milk update. I’ve been opposed to restrictions on the consumption of natural, raw milk. Adults should be able to decide what kind of milk they’d like to drink, without government’s interference. We’re a dairy state, and we should be able to drink and eat the kind of dairy products we’d…
Government Spending, Laws/Regulations, Politics
Wisconsin’s Criminals Find Work as Lobbyists
by JOHN ADAMS •
Laws/Regulations
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Enforcer of State’s Raw Milk Rules Resigns
by JOHN ADAMS •
Laws/Regulations, Police
How Not to Voice a Complaint
by JOHN ADAMS •
Government Spending, Law, Laws/Regulations, Police
Sarah Palin’s Right: Minor Marijuana Arrests Are a Waste of Police Resources
by JOHN ADAMS •
I’ve supported reform of Wisconsin’s laws so that chronically ill people can take regulated medical marijuana lawfully. I think reform in Wisconsin is long overdue, and that although reform did not pass in our recent legislative session, it one day will. When that happens, Wisconsin will join many other states that allow medically prescribed marijuana.…
City, Laws/Regulations
Update on the Urban Chicken Movement
by JOHN ADAMS •
I’ve written about the urban chicken movement . It’s goal is to persuade communities to allow residents to keep a hen or tow for fresh eggs. Many communities, ironically including rural communities like Whitewater, there are prohibitions on backyard hens in residential neighborhoods. Ordinances like this are more social than rational: I think it’s mostly…
Laws/Regulations
The Economist Covers the Raw Milk Controversy
by JOHN ADAMS •
I’ve written before about the irony of a dairy state banning nearly all sales of raw milk. The governor’s recent veto of a popular bill to allow a limited increase in raw milk sales was the latest example of Wisconsin as a dairyland nanny state. It was worse really, as the public health claims against…
Free Markets, Laws/Regulations, Liberty
Huffington Post: Making the Business Case for Dairy Farmer Civil Disobedience
by JOHN ADAMS •
The war against raw milk sales in a dairy state, a war whose generals are big business interests, is underway in Wisconsin. I’ve written about previously about Governor Doyle’s veto of a bill allowing modest raw milk sales, and about regulatory badgering of dairies that offer raw milk for sale. (Some raw milk may be…