Lunatic Fringe #2

"You want to know my policies, look to the people I surround myself with...." Barack Obama Nov. 2008

Name: Cass Sunstein

Position: Regulatory CZAR

Bio: Highly esteemed American legal scholar and author of Nudge. In this book, Sunstein suggests that the legal system does not have to be radically overhauled or changed but rather through manipulation or regulation current laws can be used to accomplish the change necessary to socially change America. It is his belief that you can NUDGE people into changing their way of life by systematically changing laws and creating regulations that will move them, against their will, into doing what the government deems to be in their best interest. An example of this practice could be a recommendation to add over 400 new species to the endangered species list. By doing so, cattle owners will find the land that they use under greater restrictions, which in turn will make it more difficult for them to operate as a business. This would lead to a rise in the cost of meat, the rise in meat prices would result in a lower consumption of meat and gradually NUDGE citizens into becoming vegetarians.

Sunstein is a proponent of the "second Bill of Rights." According to Sunstein, the Constitution of the United States needs to guarantee health care, the right to a job, a home and protection against monopolies. In order to grant these "rights" to persons, the size of the federal government will need to expand. Sunstein suggests that the U.S. Constitution tells you what the Federal Government cannot do, but argues that it does not tell you what it should do. Therefore, by suggesting that everyone is entitled to these "rights" it will become necessary for the caregiver of these rights to have an increase in power, in order to assure these rights. This theory, if applied, will lead to an expansion of the Federal Government!

The most controversial facts about Sunstein would have to be his position regarding Animal Rights. Sunstein has gone on record publicly and in writing that he supports legal rights for animals. That is correct! Sunstein supports giving animals legal rights so that they might be able to sue their owners. According to Sunstein the legal guardianship of the animal could be procured by the attorney that is bringing suit on behalf of the victimized animal. As outrageous as this sounds, below you will see excerpts of statements made by Sunstein that will definitively prove that this is his position.

Sunstein, being a huge animal rights supporter, has proposed a complete ban on hunting and believes that all of society should stop eating meat and endorse a vegan lifestyle. This is even more so alarming, considering that he is now the regulatory CZAR and therefore has the ability to NUDGE the laws of our country to support his radical agenda.

Quotes: "We ought to ban hunting, I suggest that if there isn't a purpose other than sporting or fun. That should be against the law. The time is now."

He suggested in a recent speech at Harvard that the current treatment of livestock and other animals be considered, "a form of unconscionable barbarity, not the same as, but in may ways akin to, slavery and mass extermination of human beings."

"Animals should be permitted to bring suit, with humans as their representatives, to prevent violations of current law, any animals that would be entitled to bring suit would be represented by human counsel, who would owe guardian like obligations and make decisions, subject to those obligations on their clients behalf."

"There should be extensive regulation of the use of animals."

Synopsis: It appears rather clear that Sunstein understands how to bring about the change that he believes is best for society, his thoughts expressed in the book Nudge clearly show this to be true. It also appears that his appointment to the position of Regulatory CZAR will enable him with the power to implement such a plan. His radical views regarding animal rights could potentially lead to our legal system being overwhelmed not too mention literally placing the status of personhood on animals.It is my opinion that this man, despite his kind personality and legal prowess is the most dangerous of all of the presidents appointments.

Lunatic Fringe Rating: 10

(based on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most extreme)

Van Jones = 7