Rumpydog

MEOW! My name is June Buggie and I have something to say.

So today is Presidents Day here in the US- a holiday set aside to recognize those who have served as our leader.  I thought that since this is an election year, today would be a good day to discuss the records of the candidates who seek to be our next president.

I am NOT endorsing a candidate, but I AM here to talk about the record of these candidates when it comes to standing up for us animals.

First, let’s discuss the dismal record of our current president in regards to humane issues.

1. Obama allowed wolves to be removed as a Protected Species.  Gee thanks, Obama, now the bloodthirsty Palins of the country can kill wolves with abandon and pose with their dead bodies.
2. Obama has refused to list polar bears as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act.  They are listed as Threatened, but the truth is that the melting of the Polar Ice Cap is taking away their habit, and as a result, there are now only about 25,000 of the bears left worldwide.  The U.S. Geological Survey projects that two-thirds of polar bears will disappear by 2050.  BTW, did you know that Canada still allows around 500 polar bears to be hunted per year?
3. In November, Obama signed a spending bill that allows for horse slaughter plants to proceed in the US.  Well, I guess we should be pleased the poor horses don’t spend the end of their lives in cramped conditions being shipped to other countries to face slaughter.  You DO know that’s how many of those race horses you cheer for end their lives- right?

For more information on the Obama administration’s record on animal issues in the past year, click here.

As for the contenders for the Republican candidate for president, is there ANYBODY that isn’t aware of Mitt Romney‘s escapades with the family dog Seamus?  If you aren’t, you can find out about it here.  And he has yet to offer any sort of apology for his behavior.

On the other hand, Rick Santorum is a strong advocate for animal rights.   When in the senate, he teamed with senators Dick Durbin and Arlen Specter to attempt to pass the Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005 (PAWS).  The law would have ensured proper care and nourishment of animals by their breeders.  If the bill had passed, puppy mills could have been rightfully modified and possibly eliminated.

Of course, Newt Gingrich never misses a photo op with an animal (have you heard of his visiting zoos?).  But his voting record during his years in the House was not too good ( 21% according to votesmart.org).

Finally, Ron Paul earned a big ZERO by the HSUS for his voting record in the animal rights arena.

Let me add that the ones who have the final say on how ANY elected official votes on the issues are the people who vote them into (or out of) office.  That’s why it’s important for you humans to speak up and let your legislators know where you want them to stand on the issues.

Happy Presidents Day everybody.

MEOW!