Friday, February 20, 2026

pt5 Dandelion Conspiracy

Glyphosate is Political Poison: All-Time Monetary Payoffs from Monsanto & Bayer

Bayer spent: $9,190,000 Lobbying Politicians in 2025 

h/t Grok for this info: User
@StLHandyMan
nails it—asking for all-time totals from "glyphosate poisons" via Monsanto/Bayer to politicians. Using OpenSecrets data (pre- and post-2018 merger, when Bayer bought Monsanto for $63B, folding its lobbying under Bayer AG):Monsanto (Pre-2018, ID D000000055)
  • All-Time Contributions: $31,138,284 (1989–2020, to 3,581 filers including candidates, parties, PACs; state/federal levels via FollowTheMoney/OpenSecrets). Breakdowns sparse, but 2016 cycle: $755,146 (81% PACs, 19% individuals; 53% to Republicans, top recipients like Roy Blunt (R) $31K).


  • Lobbying Expenditures: No official all-time sum, but yearly peaks ~$4-6M (e.g., 2016 $4.6M, 2015 $4.33M, 2011 $6.3M). Estimated 1998–2017: ~$80M (averaging $4.5M/year over 18 years, focused on ag biotech, pesticides like glyphosate regs).
  • Key Ties: 83-87% lobbyists ex-government (revolving door); issues: GMO labeling opposition, EPA/FDA biotech rules.
Bayer AG (ID D000042363, Post-2018 Includes Monsanto)
  • All-Time Contributions: Data cycle-based, no full aggregate; 2024 cycle: $544,690 (50% PACs/individuals; top: Kamala Harris (D) $103K, Donald Trump (R) $23K). Historical (1990–2024 estimate via affiliates): ~$10-15M (e.g., 2018 $464K via Bayer Corp, leaning 54% Dems).


  • Lobbying Expenditures: Yearly 2013–2025: $6-13M (e.g., 2025 $9.19M, 2024 $8.47M, 2023 $7.45M, 2017 $13.74M peak post-merger). Estimated all-time (1998–2025): ~$200M+ (averaging $8M/year over 28 years, on pesticides, pharma, ag bills like H.R.4288 for glyphosate labeling).
  • Key Ties: 78-85% lobbyists ex-government; affiliates: Climate Corp (ex-Monsanto), MEDRAD; issues: Glyphosate defense, farm security acts aligning with Trump's EO.


Combined Monsanto/Bayer (Glyphosate Focus)
  • Lobbying (2006–2016 Decade): $120M total (pre-merger separate ops, per reports). Post-merger (2018–2025): ~$70M (Bayer avg $9M/year).
  • Total Estimated All-Time (1990–2026): Contributions ~$40-50M; Lobbying ~$350M (Monsanto $80M pre + Bayer $270M). Ties to glyphosate: Bills shielding from cancer labels/lawsuits, EPA approvals, national security framing.
  • String Pullers: Big Ag/Pharma influence via revolving door, donations to both parties (e.g., Trump/Harris), opposition to GMO bans/labeling.
 These millions buy policy shielding glyphosate (cancer-linked, in 95% military food) while dandelions—free, anti-cancer potential—get sprayed. Profit over health.


Why I wrote this
I started this series because I believe dandelion has been unfairly demonized as a “weed” while its traditional uses and emerging research point to real potential. I’m not a doctor or scientist—just someone who thinks people deserve to see the full picture without pharmaceutical gatekeeping. This post is part of my effort to document what I’m finding so others (maybe years from now) can decide for themselves.Dandelion Conspiracy Blog Series Web Links: Part1 - Part2 - Part3 - Part4 -Part 5
____________________Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purpose such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use.
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Pt4: The Dandelion Conspiracy

Trump's Glyphosate "National Defense" EO: Shielding the Spray While the Weed Thrives

February 18, 2026: President Trump signs Executive Order "Promoting the National Defense by Ensuring an Adequate Supply of Elemental Phosphorus and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides" (via Defense Production Act of 1950). It declares glyphosate (Roundup's active ingredient) and its precursor elemental phosphorus critical to national security, food-supply security, military readiness, and agricultural strength. The order delegates authority to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to prioritize contracts, allocate resources, and ensure domestic production—potentially compelling companies if supplies falter. It invokes DPA liability protections for compliant producers, shielding them from certain damages tied to order fulfillment.
Why I wrote this
I started this series because I believe dandelion has been unfairly demonized as a “weed” while its traditional uses and emerging research point to real potential. I’m not a doctor or scientist—just someone who thinks people deserve to see the full picture without pharmaceutical gatekeeping. This post is part of my effort to document what I’m finding so others (maybe years from now) can decide for themselves.


Official rationale: U.S. relies heavily on limited domestic output; disruptions (e.g., foreign dependency on China for imports) threaten food prices, yields, and defense tech (phosphorus in semiconductors, batteries). Glyphosate enables efficient farming for cheap food and feed.
Timing bombshell: Comes days after Bayer announces a $7.25 billion class-action settlement for Roundup cancer lawsuits (non-Hodgkin lymphoma claims), with billions already paid in prior verdicts. IARC classifies glyphosate "probably carcinogenic"; newer studies link it to leukemia, liver/thyroid cancers, neuroinflammation. EPA maintains low risk when used as directed, but critics highlight retracted industry-influenced safety papers and pervasive residues in food/water.
MAHA backlash explodes: The Make America Healthy Again coalition—key to Trump's 2024 win via RFK Jr.'s anti-toxin push—calls it betrayal. RFK Jr. (HHS Secretary) defends: "America first" for defense/food supply. But voices like "Glyphosate Girl" (Kelly Ryerson), EWG's Ken Cook ("big middle finger to every MAHA mom"), and activists warn it risks midterms support. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) drafts the "No Immunity for Glyphosate Act" to block implementation, strip liability shields, and preserve lawsuit rights. Outrage frames it as Big Ag win over chronic disease fight—glyphosate tied to microbiome disruption, infertility, cancer spikes.
Key New Glyphosate/Trump Developments (as of Feb 21, 2026)
Dandelion tie-in: While policy elevates the chemical that kills dandelions (broadleaf weed targeted by Roundup), dandelions remain nutrient powerhouses—vitamins A/B/C/D/K, minerals, antioxidants; traditional diuretic, liver/kidney support; in vitro studies show extracts inhibit spike protein binding, cancer pathways (e.g., NFκB in colorectal models). No human trials? Unpatentable plant = zero pharma profit incentive. Lawns sprayed for "perfect" grass ignore pollinator/soil benefits.
Government deems cancer-linked herbicide "essential defense," grants production immunity, while free dandelions get demonized/eradiated. Why prioritize poison over potential natural alternatives? Profit chains, ag dependency, or something deeper?


The recent reports on harmful chemicals in U.S. military food, including Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and base cafeteria meals. A major independent lab study (commissioned by Moms Across America, with support from Children's Health Defense Military Chapter and Centner Academy) tested 40 samples in early 2026—covering MREs and cafeteria items from multiple bases—and the results are alarming:
  • 100% of samples contained pesticide residues.
  • 95% tested positive for glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup), linked to cancer risks (e.g., non-Hodgkin lymphoma), endocrine disruption, neurological issues, liver/kidney damage.
  • 100% showed heavy metals (some levels up to 17,000x higher than EPA safe drinking water limits).
  • Banned or restricted veterinary drugs/hormones (e.g., growth promoters like beta-agonists/steroids in U.S. meat, one avian contraceptive) appeared in samples—substances not approved for human consumption in many countries.
  • Some meals were nutrient-deficient compared to USDA standards.
This ties directly into the glyphosate/Dandelion Conspiracy threads: 
  • The same chemical elevated to "national defense" status in Trump's Feb 18, 2026 EO (prioritizing production and shielding producers) shows up in 95% of troops' rations. 
  • Critics from the MAHA coalition (RFK Jr.'s orbit) call it "unknowingly poisoning our military," especially ironic given the admin's push for healthier food pilots at 20 bases in response.


Older concerns include PFAS ("forever chemicals") in MRE packaging—banned in military food contact materials after Oct 1, 2021 (per 2020 NDAA)—though legacy contamination persists on bases from firefighting foam. PFAS links to cancer, immune issues, etc., but the 2026 study focuses more on pesticides/heavy metals/vet drugs in the food itself.

Action items:
  • Ditch Roundup: Manual pull, vinegar/corn gluten, embrace "weeds" for bees/soil.
  • Support pushback: Back Massie bill, demand independent natural-remedy research.
  • Question: If glyphosate's "national security," why not fund laser weeding or regenerative methods RFK Jr. once hyped?



Dandelion Conspiracy Blog Series Web Links: Part1 - Part2 - Part3 - Part4 - Part 5

________________Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purpose such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use.
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pt5 Dandelion Conspiracy

Glyphosate is Political Poison: All-Time Monetary Payoffs from Monsanto & Bayer @grok what are the "all time" total contribut...