"Country of Laws" is just part of a phrase: "A Country of Laws, not Men." And that it is generally considered a *good* thing.
The opposite, a "Country of Men, not Laws", is one where governance is done not by the rule of law but by 'dictat'. This is where the word 'dictator' comes from. Such as, for example, Francisco Franco, ruler of Spain from the late 1930s through the early 1970s.
So, before you criticize the US for being a 'Country of Laws', I suggest you consider the alternative.
Benjamin Franz
· 2 years ago
"Country of Laws" is just part of a phrase: "A Country of Laws, not Men." And that it is generally considered a *good* thing.
The opposite, a "Country of Men, not Laws", is one where governance is done not by the rule of law but by 'dictat'. This is where the word 'dictator' comes from. Such as, for example, Francisco Franco, ruler of Spain from the late 1930s through the early 1970s.
So, before you criticize the US for being a 'Country of Laws', I suggest you consider the alternative.
Wilf Krutzmann
· 2 years ago
I also found the article well done and thought provoking. Perhaps it should be a "litigious" country. Its outrageous that someone can sue on their own stupidity. Surely its not too difficult to distinguish between a "hot" cup of coffee and one that will not give you that burning sensation. Perhaps there should be a federal law requiring everyone to take a course on how to read package labels.
Romi
· 2 years ago
I agree with you regarding the coffee cups, but as far as allergens go, I can't agree. My youngest son is violently allergic to egg white, dairy, and nuts. We cook almost everything from scratch, checking labels very very carefully. When he had an immediate and strong reaction to some chicken cooked in wine, we were perplexed until we found out that egg whites are used in processing. Labelling allergens is a matter of knowing what you are eating and drinking so you can take responsibility and avoid a deadly situation. It enables people who are violently alleric to some foods to stop playing Russian Roulette every time they take a bite. It is not the same as labelling coffee cups. Please do not compare the two.
Wilf Krutzmann
· 2 years ago
I also found the article well done and thought provoking. Perhaps it should be a "litigious" country. Its outrageous that someone can sue on their own stupidity. Surely its not too difficult to distinguish between a "hot" cup of coffee and one that will not give you that burning sensation. Perhaps there should be a federal law requiring everyone to take a course on how to read package labels.
Romi
· 2 years ago
I agree with you regarding the coffee cups, but as far as allergens go, I can't agree. My youngest son is violently allergic to egg white, dairy, and nuts. We cook almost everything from scratch, checking labels very very carefully. When he had an immediate and strong reaction to some chicken cooked in wine, we were perplexed until we found out that egg whites are used in processing. Labelling allergens is a matter of knowing what you are eating and drinking so you can take responsibility and avoid a deadly situation. It enables people who are violently alleric to some foods to stop playing Russian Roulette every time they take a bite. It is not the same as labelling coffee cups. Please do not compare the two.
Gabriella
· 2 years ago
Romi- In no way would I ever want your son to be harmed, that was far from my intention. I am in awe of parents like you who have to go out of their way to find safe foods for your child to eat, and as you say, play Russian Roulette. Therefore, it is not to say that we shouldn't have this information on the bottle, but it is to say that we also tend to put information on products purely to protect the producer from a lawsuit. All I am proposing is that we as a culture decide where we draw the line between information that is justifiably important and information that can better be taught elsewhere.
Gabriella
· 2 years ago
Romi- In no way would I ever want your son to be harmed, that was far from my intention. I am in awe of parents like you who have to go out of their way to find safe foods for your child to eat, and as you say, play Russian Roulette. Therefore, it is not to say that we shouldn't have this information on the bottle, but it is to say that we also tend to put information on products purely to protect the producer from a lawsuit. All I am proposing is that we as a culture decide where we draw the line between information that is justifiably important and information that can better be taught elsewhere.
Jack
· 2 years ago
The thing about all of the big government agencies, whether its the FDA or whomever, is the people running them ALL come from big food and big ag. And that's who they cater to. Little guys have no say and real common sense goes out the window. So you have tastelss UHP milk rather than raw milk. So you have idiotic warning labels (like sulphites in wine; they're in lots of foods but only wine has a warning on the label). Nor is there any proof that drinking wine causes birth defects. Drinking an excessive amount of anything can harm a mother and fetus...but wine is again singled out. I could go on and on and on...
Jack
· 2 years ago
The thing about all of the big government agencies, whether its the FDA or whomever, is the people running them ALL come from big food and big ag. And that's who they cater to. Little guys have no say and real common sense goes out the window. So you have tastelss UHP milk rather than raw milk. So you have idiotic warning labels (like sulphites in wine; they're in lots of foods but only wine has a warning on the label). Nor is there any proof that drinking wine causes birth defects. Drinking an excessive amount of anything can harm a mother and fetus...but wine is again singled out. I could go on and on and on...
Ryan
· 2 years ago
Benjiman, I don't think she was criticizing the idea of a "Country of Laws" but rather the idea that a country of laws needs to balance itself a bit better. Laws make the USA great, but it's when we follow them blindly that we find ourselves in trouble. Also over regulation or excess laws can lead to less freedoms and an overly powerful government where personal responsibility is not acknowledged.
Romi, I have to disagree, the coffee and the food labels do have a lot in common. I sympathize with your son and your efforts to deal with his condition. Your issue is one that needs addressing and there needs to be a way to get people in your situation the right information to deal with the problem. On the other hand everything cannot be labeled, and the minute we say "ok we have all the allergies covered" up will pop a new one. As much as this problem is central to your life, the truth is this issue does not affect very many people. Your doctor should be responsible for advising you of possible problems, and if they are not doing it then maybe a grassroots effort could help. More government labeling will only throw money at the wrong solutions.
Jack, thanks for going on and on...It's a crazy issue and crazy world, where the government has to tell you what you should or should not do.
Ryan Opaz
· 2 years ago
Benjiman, I don't think she was criticizing the idea of a "Country of Laws" but rather the idea that a country of laws needs to balance itself a bit better. Laws make the USA great, but it's when we follow them blindly that we find ourselves in trouble. Also over regulation or excess laws can lead to less freedoms and an overly powerful government where personal responsibility is not acknowledged.
Romi, I have to disagree, the coffee and the food labels do have a lot in common. I sympathize with your son and your efforts to deal with his condition. Your issue is one that needs addressing and there needs to be a way to get people in your situation the right information to deal with the problem. On the other hand everything cannot be labeled, and the minute we say "ok we have all the allergies covered" up will pop a new one. As much as this problem is central to your life, the truth is this issue does not affect very many people. Your doctor should be responsible for advising you of possible problems, and if they are not doing it then maybe a grassroots effort could help. More government labeling will only throw money at the wrong solutions.
Jack, thanks for going on and on...It's a crazy issue and crazy world, where the government has to tell you what you should or should not do.
Benjamin Franz
· 2 years ago
Ryan, I understand that she was trying to criticize over-regulation, but her lead-in sentence did so by conflating the rule of law with it. It is poor form to mis-apply a convenient quote.
As for the question of over-regulation in the US, I simply disagree. If anything, the US is massively _under_-regulated in the area of food safety. I always hate it when people trot out coffee because you know they are referring to the infamous McDonalds incident. And that they know almost nothing about it. If they did know anything about it, they wouldn't trot it out. Because rather than being an example of out-of-control litigation, it is a textbook example of corporate irresponsibility, spin control, urban legend, and blaming the victim. If you are *really* interested in why I say that, read up on it at <a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/frivolous/Mcd..."><a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/friv...
Benjamin Franz
· 2 years ago
Ryan, I understand that she was trying to criticize over-regulation, but her lead-in sentence did so by conflating the rule of law with it. It is poor form to mis-apply a convenient quote.
As for the question of over-regulation in the US, I simply disagree. If anything, the US is massively _under_-regulated in the area of food safety. I always hate it when people trot out coffee because you know they are referring to the infamous McDonalds incident. And that they know almost nothing about it. If they did know anything about it, they wouldn't trot it out. Because rather than being an example of out-of-control litigation, it is a textbook example of corporate irresponsibility, spin control, urban legend, and blaming the victim. If you are *really* interested in why I say that, read up on it at <a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/frivolous/Mcd..."><a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/friv...
Benjamin Franz
· 2 years ago
Ryan, I understand that she was trying to criticize over-regulation, but her lead-in sentence did so by conflating the rule of law with it. It is poor form to mis-apply a convenient quote.
As for the question of over-regulation in the US, I simply disagree. If anything, the US is massively _under_-regulated in the area of food safety. I always hate it when people trot out coffee because you know they are referring to the infamous McDonalds incident. And that they know almost nothing about it. If they did know anything about it, they wouldn't trot it out. Because rather than being an example of out-of-control litigation, it is a textbook example of corporate irresponsibility, spin control, urban legend, and blaming the victim. If you are *really* interested in why I say that, read up on it at <a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/frivolous/Mcd..."><a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/friv...
Benjamin Franz
· 2 years ago
Ryan, I understand that she was trying to criticize over-regulation, but her lead-in sentence did so by conflating the rule of law with it. It is poor form to mis-apply a convenient quote.
As for the question of over-regulation in the US, I simply disagree. If anything, the US is massively _under_-regulated in the area of food safety. I always hate it when people trot out coffee because you know they are referring to the infamous McDonalds incident. And that they know almost nothing about it. If they did know anything about it, they wouldn't trot it out. Because rather than being an example of out-of-control litigation, it is a textbook example of corporate irresponsibility, spin control, urban legend, and blaming the victim. If you are *really* interested in why I say that, read up on it at http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/frivolous/M...
Ryan
· 2 years ago
Benjamin, we'll have to agree to disagree. I am familiar with the coffee case, infact I've read what you sent and I still feel like the whole lawsuit was more of a joke than anything. What I heard from a lawyer friend of mine was that the lady who was burned did not sue the company, but rather the children did. Supposedly she argued for not suing, as she admitted that the dumb idea of opening it between her legs was her idea, not McDonalds. Yes they made their coffee too hot, but no one can blame someone for opening and then spilling the coffee on themselves on the people who sold them the coffee. Not sure this is true, but I wouldn't say it's not possible, and it makes me smile to hope it is.
As to the under regulation that you speak of in the food safety world, I can tell you that this is not an issue. I've taken food safety courses as part of the running of a kitchen, and the rules there make the coffee thing look sane. Yes the majority have been put in place for good reason, but over time these rules seem to be extending to some really silly over protections. Currently we are one of, if not the only country, to not allow raw milk cheese for sale. Seems odd that at least here in Europe we enjoy this precious treat daily and seem to be in good shape. Also Jamon Iberico one of if not the greatest cured meat from Spain has just now been granted the right to be sold in the US after the FDA came over and "approved" one facility. We love this stuff, and we don't have deaths, or illness hitting the populations everyday, and they have been eating here for much longer than the FDA has been around.
I want to make one more point though away from food, but to the "responsibility" issue. I remember once being in Brazil with some friends, mixed group of Americans, Brazilians and Austrailians. We were at an outdoor sidewalk cafe when we noticed a person sit down in a chair nearby. As they began to put their whole weight on it the chair suddenly collapsed, sending the person to the ground. Almost in unison, the American's in the group shouted, "Lawsuit", too which the rest of the group gave a smirk. Turning back we asked them what they were thinking, one person explained, "We're confused why you shouted lawsuit, you're joking right?" We then explained that most likely in the States the person could sue the restaurant, or chairmaker for faulty equipment or maybe endangerment of some sort. This was given another smirk to which they replied, "don't you have accidents?"
Benjamin, we'll have to agree to disagree. I am familiar with the coffee case, infact I've read what you sent and I still feel like the whole lawsuit was more of a joke than anything. What I heard from a lawyer friend of mine was that the lady who was burned did not sue the company, but rather the children did. Supposedly she argued for not suing, as she admitted that the dumb idea of opening it between her legs was her idea, not McDonalds. Yes they made their coffee too hot, but no one can blame someone for opening and then spilling the coffee on themselves on the people who sold them the coffee. Not sure this is true, but I wouldn't say it's not possible, and it makes me smile to hope it is.
As to the under regulation that you speak of in the food safety world, I can tell you that this is not an issue. I've taken food safety courses as part of the running of a kitchen, and the rules there make the coffee thing look sane. Yes the majority have been put in place for good reason, but over time these rules seem to be extending to some really silly over protections. Currently we are one of, if not the only country, to not allow raw milk cheese for sale. Seems odd that at least here in Europe we enjoy this precious treat daily and seem to be in good shape. Also Jamon Iberico one of if not the greatest cured meat from Spain has just now been granted the right to be sold in the US after the FDA came over and "approved" one facility. We love this stuff, and we don't have deaths, or illness hitting the populations everyday, and they have been eating here for much longer than the FDA has been around.
I want to make one more point though away from food, but to the "responsibility" issue. I remember once being in Brazil with some friends, mixed group of Americans, Brazilians and Austrailians. We were at an outdoor sidewalk cafe when we noticed a person sit down in a chair nearby. As they began to put their whole weight on it the chair suddenly collapsed, sending the person to the ground. Almost in unison, the American's in the group shouted, "Lawsuit", too which the rest of the group gave a smirk. Turning back we asked them what they were thinking, one person explained, "We're confused why you shouted lawsuit, you're joking right?" We then explained that most likely in the States the person could sue the restaurant, or chairmaker for faulty equipment or maybe endangerment of some sort. This was given another smirk to which they replied, "don't you have accidents?"
Benjamin, we'll have to agree to disagree. I am familiar with the coffee case, infact I've read what you sent and I still feel like the whole lawsuit was more of a joke than anything. What I heard from a lawyer friend of mine was that the lady who was burned did not sue the company, but rather the children did. Supposedly she argued for not suing, as she admitted that the dumb idea of opening it between her legs was her idea, not McDonalds. Yes they made their coffee too hot, but no one can blame someone for opening and then spilling the coffee on themselves on the people who sold them the coffee. Not sure this is true, but I wouldn't say it's not possible, and it makes me smile to hope it is.
As to the under regulation that you speak of in the food safety world, I can tell you that this is not an issue. I've taken food safety courses as part of the running of a kitchen, and the rules there make the coffee thing look sane. Yes the majority have been put in place for good reason, but over time these rules seem to be extending to some really silly over protections. Currently we are one of, if not the only country, to not allow raw milk cheese for sale. Seems odd that at least here in Europe we enjoy this precious treat daily and seem to be in good shape. Also Jamon Iberico one of if not the greatest cured meat from Spain has just now been granted the right to be sold in the US after the FDA came over and "approved" one facility. We love this stuff, and we don't have deaths, or illness hitting the populations everyday, and they have been eating here for much longer than the FDA has been around.
I want to make one more point though away from food, but to the "responsibility" issue. I remember once being in Brazil with some friends, mixed group of Americans, Brazilians and Austrailians. We were at an outdoor sidewalk cafe when we noticed a person sit down in a chair nearby. As they began to put their whole weight on it the chair suddenly collapsed, sending the person to the ground. Almost in unison, the American's in the group shouted, "Lawsuit", too which the rest of the group gave a smirk. Turning back we asked them what they were thinking, one person explained, "We're confused why you shouted lawsuit, you're joking right?" We then explained that most likely in the States the person could sue the restaurant, or chairmaker for faulty equipment or maybe endangerment of some sort. This was given another smirk to which they replied, "don't you have accidents?"
Benjamin, we'll have to agree to disagree. I am familiar with the coffee case, infact I've read what you sent and I still feel like the whole lawsuit was more of a joke than anything. What I heard from a lawyer friend of mine was that the lady who was burned did not sue the company, but rather the children did. Supposedly she argued for not suing, as she admitted that the dumb idea of opening it between her legs was her idea, not McDonalds. Yes they made their coffee too hot, but no one can blame someone for opening and then spilling the coffee on themselves on the people who sold them the coffee. Not sure this is true, but I wouldn't say it's not possible, and it makes me smile to hope it is.
As to the under regulation that you speak of in the food safety world, I can tell you that this is not an issue. I've taken food safety courses as part of the running of a kitchen, and the rules there make the coffee thing look sane. Yes the majority have been put in place for good reason, but over time these rules seem to be extending to some really silly over protections. Currently we are one of, if not the only country, to not allow raw milk cheese for sale. Seems odd that at least here in Europe we enjoy this precious treat daily and seem to be in good shape. Also Jamon Iberico one of if not the greatest cured meat from Spain has just now been granted the right to be sold in the US after the FDA came over and "approved" one facility. We love this stuff, and we don't have deaths, or illness hitting the populations everyday, and they have been eating here for much longer than the FDA has been around.
I want to make one more point though away from food, but to the "responsibility" issue. I remember once being in Brazil with some friends, mixed group of Americans, Brazilians and Austrailians. We were at an outdoor sidewalk cafe when we noticed a person sit down in a chair nearby. As they began to put their whole weight on it the chair suddenly collapsed, sending the person to the ground. Almost in unison, the American's in the group shouted, "Lawsuit", too which the rest of the group gave a smirk. Turning back we asked them what they were thinking, one person explained, "We're confused why you shouted lawsuit, you're joking right?" We then explained that most likely in the States the person could sue the restaurant, or chairmaker for faulty equipment or maybe endangerment of some sort. This was given another smirk to which they replied, "don't you have accidents?"
It made me think. I love the fact we do have laws that helped to wipe out the food horror stories that are retold in books like "The Jungle". But even the most well intentioned ideas sometimes go too far, leaving us with more laws than reason.
Jack
· 2 years ago
Benjamin: The US is under-regulated with regards to INDUSTRIAL food safety - you just have to look at how Smithfield handles Hog pollution to understand this. Conversely, the US is over-regulated with regards to small farmers and producers, and in fact, treats everyone and everything like it's a mega-industrial producer.
Jack
· 2 years ago
Benjamin: The US is under-regulated with regards to INDUSTRIAL food safety - you just have to look at how Smithfield handles Hog pollution to understand this. Conversely, the US is over-regulated with regards to small farmers and producers, and in fact, treats everyone and everything like it's a mega-industrial producer.
All Comments
The opposite, a "Country of Men, not Laws", is one where governance is done not by the rule of law but by 'dictat'. This is where the word 'dictator' comes from. Such as, for example, Francisco Franco, ruler of Spain from the late 1930s through the early 1970s.
So, before you criticize the US for being a 'Country of Laws', I suggest you consider the alternative.
The opposite, a "Country of Men, not Laws", is one where governance is done not by the rule of law but by 'dictat'. This is where the word 'dictator' comes from. Such as, for example, Francisco Franco, ruler of Spain from the late 1930s through the early 1970s.
So, before you criticize the US for being a 'Country of Laws', I suggest you consider the alternative.
Romi, I have to disagree, the coffee and the food labels do have a lot in common. I sympathize with your son and your efforts to deal with his condition. Your issue is one that needs addressing and there needs to be a way to get people in your situation the right information to deal with the problem. On the other hand everything cannot be labeled, and the minute we say "ok we have all the allergies covered" up will pop a new one. As much as this problem is central to your life, the truth is this issue does not affect very many people. Your doctor should be responsible for advising you of possible problems, and if they are not doing it then maybe a grassroots effort could help. More government labeling will only throw money at the wrong solutions.
Jack, thanks for going on and on...It's a crazy issue and crazy world, where the government has to tell you what you should or should not do.
Romi, I have to disagree, the coffee and the food labels do have a lot in common. I sympathize with your son and your efforts to deal with his condition. Your issue is one that needs addressing and there needs to be a way to get people in your situation the right information to deal with the problem. On the other hand everything cannot be labeled, and the minute we say "ok we have all the allergies covered" up will pop a new one. As much as this problem is central to your life, the truth is this issue does not affect very many people. Your doctor should be responsible for advising you of possible problems, and if they are not doing it then maybe a grassroots effort could help. More government labeling will only throw money at the wrong solutions.
Jack, thanks for going on and on...It's a crazy issue and crazy world, where the government has to tell you what you should or should not do.
As for the question of over-regulation in the US, I simply disagree. If anything, the US is massively _under_-regulated in the area of food safety. I always hate it when people trot out coffee because you know they are referring to the infamous McDonalds incident. And that they know almost nothing about it. If they did know anything about it, they wouldn't trot it out. Because rather than being an example of out-of-control litigation, it is a textbook example of corporate irresponsibility, spin control, urban legend, and blaming the victim. If you are *really* interested in why I say that, read up on it at <a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/frivolous/Mcd..."><a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/friv...
As for the question of over-regulation in the US, I simply disagree. If anything, the US is massively _under_-regulated in the area of food safety. I always hate it when people trot out coffee because you know they are referring to the infamous McDonalds incident. And that they know almost nothing about it. If they did know anything about it, they wouldn't trot it out. Because rather than being an example of out-of-control litigation, it is a textbook example of corporate irresponsibility, spin control, urban legend, and blaming the victim. If you are *really* interested in why I say that, read up on it at <a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/frivolous/Mcd..."><a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/friv...
As for the question of over-regulation in the US, I simply disagree. If anything, the US is massively _under_-regulated in the area of food safety. I always hate it when people trot out coffee because you know they are referring to the infamous McDonalds incident. And that they know almost nothing about it. If they did know anything about it, they wouldn't trot it out. Because rather than being an example of out-of-control litigation, it is a textbook example of corporate irresponsibility, spin control, urban legend, and blaming the victim. If you are *really* interested in why I say that, read up on it at <a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/frivolous/Mcd..."><a href="http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/friv...
As for the question of over-regulation in the US, I simply disagree. If anything, the US is massively _under_-regulated in the area of food safety. I always hate it when people trot out coffee because you know they are referring to the infamous McDonalds incident. And that they know almost nothing about it. If they did know anything about it, they wouldn't trot it out. Because rather than being an example of out-of-control litigation, it is a textbook example of corporate irresponsibility, spin control, urban legend, and blaming the victim. If you are *really* interested in why I say that, read up on it at http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/frivolous/M...
As to the under regulation that you speak of in the food safety world, I can tell you that this is not an issue. I've taken food safety courses as part of the running of a kitchen, and the rules there make the coffee thing look sane. Yes the majority have been put in place for good reason, but over time these rules seem to be extending to some really silly over protections. Currently we are one of, if not the only country, to not allow raw milk cheese for sale. Seems odd that at least here in Europe we enjoy this precious treat daily and seem to be in good shape. Also Jamon Iberico one of if not the greatest cured meat from Spain has just now been granted the right to be sold in the US after the FDA came over and "approved" one facility. We love this stuff, and we don't have deaths, or illness hitting the populations everyday, and they have been eating here for much longer than the FDA has been around.
I want to make one more point though away from food, but to the "responsibility" issue. I remember once being in Brazil with some friends, mixed group of Americans, Brazilians and Austrailians. We were at an outdoor sidewalk cafe when we noticed a person sit down in a chair nearby. As they began to put their whole weight on it the chair suddenly collapsed, sending the person to the ground. Almost in unison, the American's in the group shouted, "Lawsuit", too which the rest of the group gave a smirk. Turning back we asked them what they were thinking, one person explained, "We're confused why you shouted lawsuit, you're joking right?" We then explained that most likely in the States the person could sue the restaurant, or chairmaker for faulty equipment or maybe endangerment of some sort. This was given another smirk to which they replied, "don't you have accidents?"
It made me think. I love the fact we do have laws that helped to wipe out the food horror stories that are retold in books like "<a href="The " target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Jungle-Uncensored-Original-Upton-Sinclair/dp/1884365302/sr=8-1/qid=1170192038/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-7998544-1144744?ie=UTF8&s=books">The Jungle". But even the most well intentioned ideas sometimes go too far, leaving us with more laws than reason.
As to the under regulation that you speak of in the food safety world, I can tell you that this is not an issue. I've taken food safety courses as part of the running of a kitchen, and the rules there make the coffee thing look sane. Yes the majority have been put in place for good reason, but over time these rules seem to be extending to some really silly over protections. Currently we are one of, if not the only country, to not allow raw milk cheese for sale. Seems odd that at least here in Europe we enjoy this precious treat daily and seem to be in good shape. Also Jamon Iberico one of if not the greatest cured meat from Spain has just now been granted the right to be sold in the US after the FDA came over and "approved" one facility. We love this stuff, and we don't have deaths, or illness hitting the populations everyday, and they have been eating here for much longer than the FDA has been around.
I want to make one more point though away from food, but to the "responsibility" issue. I remember once being in Brazil with some friends, mixed group of Americans, Brazilians and Austrailians. We were at an outdoor sidewalk cafe when we noticed a person sit down in a chair nearby. As they began to put their whole weight on it the chair suddenly collapsed, sending the person to the ground. Almost in unison, the American's in the group shouted, "Lawsuit", too which the rest of the group gave a smirk. Turning back we asked them what they were thinking, one person explained, "We're confused why you shouted lawsuit, you're joking right?" We then explained that most likely in the States the person could sue the restaurant, or chairmaker for faulty equipment or maybe endangerment of some sort. This was given another smirk to which they replied, "don't you have accidents?"
It made me think. I love the fact we do have laws that helped to wipe out the food horror stories that are retold in books like "<a href="The " target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Jungle-Uncensored-Original-Upton-Sinclair/dp/1884365302/sr=8-1/qid=1170192038/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-7998544-1144744?ie=UTF8&s=books">The Jungle". But even the most well intentioned ideas sometimes go too far, leaving us with more laws than reason.
As to the under regulation that you speak of in the food safety world, I can tell you that this is not an issue. I've taken food safety courses as part of the running of a kitchen, and the rules there make the coffee thing look sane. Yes the majority have been put in place for good reason, but over time these rules seem to be extending to some really silly over protections. Currently we are one of, if not the only country, to not allow raw milk cheese for sale. Seems odd that at least here in Europe we enjoy this precious treat daily and seem to be in good shape. Also Jamon Iberico one of if not the greatest cured meat from Spain has just now been granted the right to be sold in the US after the FDA came over and "approved" one facility. We love this stuff, and we don't have deaths, or illness hitting the populations everyday, and they have been eating here for much longer than the FDA has been around.
I want to make one more point though away from food, but to the "responsibility" issue. I remember once being in Brazil with some friends, mixed group of Americans, Brazilians and Austrailians. We were at an outdoor sidewalk cafe when we noticed a person sit down in a chair nearby. As they began to put their whole weight on it the chair suddenly collapsed, sending the person to the ground. Almost in unison, the American's in the group shouted, "Lawsuit", too which the rest of the group gave a smirk. Turning back we asked them what they were thinking, one person explained, "We're confused why you shouted lawsuit, you're joking right?" We then explained that most likely in the States the person could sue the restaurant, or chairmaker for faulty equipment or maybe endangerment of some sort. This was given another smirk to which they replied, "don't you have accidents?"
It made me think. I love the fact we do have laws that helped to wipe out the food horror stories that are retold in books like "<a href="The " target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Jungle-Uncensored-Original-Upton-Sinclair/dp/1884365302/sr=8-1/qid=1170192038/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-7998544-1144744?ie=UTF8&s=books">The Jungle". But even the most well intentioned ideas sometimes go too far, leaving us with more laws than reason.
As to the under regulation that you speak of in the food safety world, I can tell you that this is not an issue. I've taken food safety courses as part of the running of a kitchen, and the rules there make the coffee thing look sane. Yes the majority have been put in place for good reason, but over time these rules seem to be extending to some really silly over protections. Currently we are one of, if not the only country, to not allow raw milk cheese for sale. Seems odd that at least here in Europe we enjoy this precious treat daily and seem to be in good shape. Also Jamon Iberico one of if not the greatest cured meat from Spain has just now been granted the right to be sold in the US after the FDA came over and "approved" one facility. We love this stuff, and we don't have deaths, or illness hitting the populations everyday, and they have been eating here for much longer than the FDA has been around.
I want to make one more point though away from food, but to the "responsibility" issue. I remember once being in Brazil with some friends, mixed group of Americans, Brazilians and Austrailians. We were at an outdoor sidewalk cafe when we noticed a person sit down in a chair nearby. As they began to put their whole weight on it the chair suddenly collapsed, sending the person to the ground. Almost in unison, the American's in the group shouted, "Lawsuit", too which the rest of the group gave a smirk. Turning back we asked them what they were thinking, one person explained, "We're confused why you shouted lawsuit, you're joking right?" We then explained that most likely in the States the person could sue the restaurant, or chairmaker for faulty equipment or maybe endangerment of some sort. This was given another smirk to which they replied, "don't you have accidents?"
It made me think. I love the fact we do have laws that helped to wipe out the food horror stories that are retold in books like "The Jungle". But even the most well intentioned ideas sometimes go too far, leaving us with more laws than reason.