Mandatory Volunteerism

I knew we would have this interesting dichotomy in the Obama administration, but I had no idea where it would first be introduced. And by first be introduced, I have no doubt, much more mandatory volunteerism will be enacted and legislated. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack has stated that we need country of origin label on the meat. Okay, I think that makes sense, considering how many countries are mad at us and considering the various safety standards set forth in food preparation and preservation. We've watched for how many years as Japan has expected America to jump through hoops to sell beef? I say let the Americans buy beef from American ranchers. Then they wouldn't have to get NAIS and all that mess, but then, perhaps there is just as much pressure here at home for the rancher to have to jump through hoops.
But that is another rant, back to Tom. He says he would like the meat packing industry to comply voluntarily, so he doesn't have to make it mandatory. That sounds mandatory, either way, or simply more businesses on their way out, here in America. If the meat packers don't comply, then there is legislation. When there is legislation, there is expense, and when there is expense, there are some businesses that cannot meet that expense and others that meet that expense, by eliminating some of the payroll. We don't need to import beef, we've got the best ranch land on the planet and if someone in another country would like some beef, they can ask nicely and quit making so many demands. And if we don't meet their requirements and there are no international requests, then we'll just raise beef according to American demand and knock off all this regulatory nonsense. It's all this regulation that's just about got me ready to give up on beef, certainly not the rancher and the meat packers. Wouldn't it be so much simpler to just stop the importing and exporting and eat home grown beef here at home? And maybe if we could just begin by taking care of our own responsibilities, there wouldn't be so much need for mandatory volunteerism. Wow! Imagine, the opportunity to just do the right thing because a person wanted to just do the right thing . . .
And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. Torah of Holy Scripture