Meet Rick Berman, A.K.A. "Dr. Evil"

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on April 8, 2007. It was updated on July 17, 2007.

Rick Berman takes a certain pride, even joy, in the nickname "Dr. Evil." But the people who use it see nothing funny about it—they mean it.

His real name is Rick Berman, a Washington lobbyist and arch-enemy of other lobbyists and do-gooders who would have government control—and even ban-a myriad of products they claim are killing us, products like caffeine, salt, fast food and the oil they fry it in. He's against Mothers Against Drunk Driving, animal rights activists, food watchdog groups and unions of every kind.

As correspondent Morley Safer reports, Berman believes we are fast becoming a nation of passive children ruled by the iron thumb of self-appointed "nannies" and he gets paid good money to keep all those "Mary Poppinses" at bay. And they have reserved a special place in hell for him.

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"Let me just take you through some of the things your critics have said about you. Sleazy, greedy, outrageous, deceptive, ineffective except when it comes to making money for yourself, corporate lackey who is one of the scariest people in America," Safer remarks.

"You know, I grew up in the Bronx. Name-calling is not the worst thing that I've been subjected to," Berman replies.

Rick Berman is lawyer and a lobbyist, which some might say is bad enough, but he would say lawyer and lobbyist for personal freedom.

"If the government is truly interested in my health and welfare, I'm appreciative of it. But, I think I can take care of myself," Berman tells Safer.

Berman claims that we are quickly becoming a "nanny state," an overregulated society with ever-declining freedom of choice from how much we earn, to when we may drive, to what we eat.

He has particular contempt for so-called "food cops" who claim to know what's best for us.

"They create this Chicken Little mentality that the sky is falling over everything," Berman says. "You know, the latest study says this, the latest study says that. And they drive the government to satisfy that artificial public need."

Berman blames activist, safety and watchdog groups—"do-gooders run amok" he calls them—for trying to scare America into submission. He points to those endless reports, often contradictory, which offer us a dizzying array of fearful news about everyday food and drink that might just kill you: like tuna fish, chicken, diet soda, salt, and that demon, trans-fats.

"I don't think that the other side should be allowed to talk and the response be intimidated into submission or silence. And so I'm the other side," Berman says.

The other side as in big business, mainly the food, beverage and restaurant business, which have a vested interest in encouraging people to continue to eat, drink and be merry to their heart's delight.

Berman's the booze and food industry's 6'4", 64-year-old weapon of mass destruction. They hire him to front for them in the "food wars."

"The businesses themselves don't find it convenient to take on causes that might seem politically incorrect, and I'm not afraid to do that," Berman says.

Asked if has become a major tool for corporate America, Berman says, "My mission is not to defend corporate America."

"You're a hired gun," Safer remarks.

"Well, I go out to people and I say, 'Look, if you believe in what I believe, will you help fund it?' Now, I don't know if that's a hired gun or not. But, the point is, yes, I do get paid for educating people. If that's my biggest crime, I stand accused," Berman says.

And it's not just the "food police" Berman goes after: it's anyone who seeks to limit or regulate our way of life, like animal rights activists, trial lawyers, and his current favorite, union leaders.

And Berman uses ads to drive home the message.

"You know what I love? Paying union dues, just so I can keep my job," one TV ad says. "I really like how the union discriminates against minorities!" "Nothing makes me feel better than knowing that I'm supporting their fat-cat lifestyles. Find out the facts about union officials at unionfacts.com" "Thanks, union bosses!"

"There's no sense in putting out a 17 page scientific report that nobody will read. So, I put out a 30 second commercial that makes the point," Berman explains.

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[wecanchoose]

OOOPS.....REGISTER to VOTE!

[wecanchoose]

Being a responsible person is our own CHOICE. We can convince ourselves we are making the wise discisions that will have affect on us and others. We may have the BEST of data to make those decisions. BUT in the end...whether it IS RIGHT or WRONG...there still may be CONsequences that we can never foresee happening.
(eg)Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle makes good safety sense.BUT it needs NOT be a law making it ILLEGAL not to wear one.(Same as the seatbelt law, etc.)BECAUSE, no one KNOWS if they WILL save your life OR cause your death in any given future accident. Sometimes the LAW abiding citizen will DIE, or be badly maimed, because the govennment wanted to take FREE CHOICE from us. (Thinking for us really.)
It seems the government has a "sincere desire" to keep us living forever. Ain't gonna happen.
We Can Choose how we want America governed.Take a good look at the law makers the MAJORITY votes have put into office. They reflect the VOTERS desires and wants.Are they YOUR desires and wants?
Resister to vote..learn about our forefathers desire for this nation..REALLY educate your self about the polital workings..run for office.
Stop complaining and get INVOLVED..and DON'T forget to VOTE!

[jays491628]

If Big Business funds Berman, who then funds
Jacobson and the Center for Science in the Public Interest?? And what is their interest in changing my lifestyle??

[hadit]

It would be wonderful if we lived in a world where watchdog groups, and regulations, and laws were not necessary. But If a person is taught from birth that red is green, then you don't want him/her behind the wheel of a car. We are like that person. We've been taught to take for truth whatever furthers the interests of the powers that be, and are not taught how to think for ourselves. We are ripe for manipulation. The first rule of critical thinking is: "consider the source". I would suggest Googling Rick Berman. You will find out what really motivates him.

[hadit]

It would be wonderful if we lived in a world where watchdog groups, and regulations, and laws were not necessary. But If a person is taught from birth that red is green, then you don't want him/her behind the wheel of a car. We are like that person. We've been taught to take for truth whatever furthers the interests of the powers that be, and are not taught how to think for ourselves. We are ripe for manipulation. The first rule of critical thinking is: "consider the source". I would suggest Googling Rick Berman. You will find out what really motivates him.

[dt7363]

Kudos to Mr. Berman. Part of the beauty of his operation, is that he uses the same tactics and methodoligies as liberal groups in terms of how he gets his funding. By setting up not for profit entities he mimics those organizations that want to protect us from ourselves. The main difference here, is that Mr. Berman is funded by the private sector, while the vast majority of non-profits are funded by the public sector. Not only for the myriad they perform, but also for their day to day funding. I think it was professor Walter Williams who coined the phrase "Life Styly Nazis" to describe groups and people who basically want us all to live their lifestyles. Whatever happened to the tenet known as right to choose. Isn't that the fundamental tenent that supported the findings of Roe V. Wade. How come these organizations are working to deny me this same right of choice when it comes to smoking, drinking, eating, seat belts, etc. Therefore keep up the good work Mr. Berman. Together lets's try to perserve what's left of our choices.
P.S. I'm not asking those groups opposed to our choices to participate in any of them. They can do whatever the hell they want. Why can't the do the same for us.

[kajukaniu]

I am a certified veterinary nurse, and I'm sorry to say, the success of the radical animal rights groups is the fault of the media and consumers. PETA is well known because the public only responds to violence, negativity and controversey.

There are hundreds of peaceful, kind and clever animal rights groups, and even more wildlife conservation and environmental groups. But the general public is too easily bored with activists who feature art or films or educational campaigns to give them fame or money.

The public wants loud, brash people. Divorces, fights etc sells while kind and intelligent does not.

Groups like the NRDC, Nature Canada, Being Caribou, ABC, The Wolverine Foundation, the SFASPCA and so many others are completely peaceful, but will never be supported by a public who claims to hate obnoxious behavior but gives that kind of behavior all of their attention.

[darthfather-2009]

The CCF and CSPI are both nothing but the lesser of two evils. These two organizations are the only ones allowed to comment on food politics in mainstream media, so in reality there can be no honest debate. Both sides are full of B.S.

[slynnh]

Mr. Berman,I sat and listened to the interview and for the most part I will have to say I agree with you on the subjects that were discussed. However, there were a couple of things that just didn't agree with me at all. The cracks you made about the obese such as their butts being in another zip code, was way out of line and would have only come out of the mouth of a total IDIOT! Yes there are some that need to learn how to say no and there is a possibility that obesity isn't a disease, but there are people that struggle every day of their lives to keep their weight down.
I am one of those people, it has always been a battle for me, I have lost 10 and gained 20 all my life. In 1996 I hurt my back and went from putting in a 16 hour day to not being able to get out of bed. In 2002 after 8 surguries on my back I topped the scale at 385 pounds on a 5'9" frame. In a desperate mesure to lose at least some of that weight I had a gastric bypass in Sept.2002, in Nov. I developed Guillian Barre, a very nasty nerve disorder, by May 2003 I had lost down to 171 pounds, in case you don't have a calculator handy that is 214 pounds in 8 months give or take a few days.
I have had people preach to me I need to lose weight all my life, well I did and it almost cost me my life.

[caseystrch5]

Mr. Berman must have a point. I mean, for example, those silly, sticky public health rules on imports. I think Mr. Berman should be allowed to consume and enjoy all the produce and consumer goods from China as he likes. No do-gooder, watchdog group is needed to call attention to harmful ingredients and materials from overseas. Mr. Berman knows everything that goes into growing and making them and reads every label for its fact-containing content. Kudos Mr. Berman.