12/08/08 Another "Gas" Tax

PETA and the EPA could stand to take a lesson from Star Trek, particularly the Star Trek character Mr. Spock who stated "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." In their most recent illogical episode, which has most of us scratching our heads in disbelief, PETA is backing and promoting an EPA proposed livestock tax which would require farmers and ranchers who own more than a certain percentage of livestock to pay an outrageous "flatulence" tax. No, as ridiculous as it sounds, it is not a joke, and has taken root ever since a Supreme Court judgment last year that deems livestock flatulence as greenhouse gas emissions. This form of taxing would penalize farmers and ranchers and potentially bankrupt most family owned farms. In this day and age it seems that a handful of misguided zealots have the power to run roughshod over the majority; the California "chicken" initiative being their most recent victory. These initiatives end result do nothing to ensure animal safety and well being; they do however result in driving up food costs for all of us and punishing farmers.