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Guinta adopts yet another dangerous and out of touch far right position
Concord - At a recent campaign event, Frank Guinta, the Republican nominee for Congress in New Hampshire's first Congressional District, said there was no need for the federal Food and Drug Administration. Guinta posed a question to the small crowd, asking them if they wanted the FDA involved in monitoring food and drugs in the United States. "My Anwser is no," he said.
According to their website, the FDA is "responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation." (Fda.gov)
This summer, the FDA issued salmonella warnings, recalling millions of dangerous eggs, and forcing the companies involved in the potential outbreak to clean up their facilities. (Business Week, 10/18/2010) The impact the millions of contaminated eggs could have had on national health is unknown.
In 2006 a similar situation with tomatoes occurred. Hundreds of people in nearly two dozen states, including New Hampshire were infected. (CBS News, 10/30/06) And in 2007, the FDA halted the importation of some toothpastes found containing diethylene glycol, an ingredient in anti-freeze. (NPR, 7/10/2007)
"Does Frank Guinta seriously believe that the FDA shouldn't monitor whether or not harmful anti-freeze ingredients are included in our toothpaste or millions of contaminated eggs are served for breakfast across the country?" asked Harrell Kirstein, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "Frankly, that is beyond irresponsible. Eliminating the FDA would put every man, woman, and child in New Hampshire and in the entire United States at risk."
"Does Mr. Guinta have a plan for how we can stay safe without the vital services provided by federal agencies that inspect our food?" asked Kirstein. "Or is his campaign so desperate to talk about anything but the mystery $350,000.00 he funneled into his campaign that he will take any position no matter how harmful it would be to New Hampshire citizens?"
Guinta also added that he felt the his opposition to the FDA was a "fundamental philosophical difference" between himself and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter.
"It certainly is a major difference between Mr. Guinta and every voter in New Hampshire's first Congressional district," added Kirstein. "The rest of us value public health."
A full listing of all the vital services provided by the federal Food and Drug Administration can be found here, http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Wh... and a video clip of Guinta's remarks is available here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
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(Posted by Harrell Kirstein, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.)
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