A Thinking Reed

"Man is but a reed, the most feeble thing in nature, but he is a thinking reed" – Blaise Pascal

Beneficiaries of farm subsidies fret about big government

I didn’t watch much of the Super Bowl, but I did catch this (rather poorly-produced, IMO) ad against the menace of new “food taxes” on things like soda and other sugary drinks.

The ad doesn’t specify which taxes it’s arguing against, but supposing that someone is proposing such taxes, I’d like to make a counter-proposal.

Instead of levying taxes on soda, etc., why not eliminate the subsidies we pay to grow corn, much of which ends up in high fructose corn syrup, which is used to produce these beverages? (From 1995-2009, the U.S. government subsidized corn to the tune of nearly $74 billion. Source)

Now, considering that the group responsible for that ad, “Americans Against Food Taxes,” is largely made up of business that wouldn’t be able to produce their sugary wares and sell them so cheaply without these generous subsidies from the U.S. taxpayer, I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for them to agree.

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5 responses to “Beneficiaries of farm subsidies fret about big government”

  1. Susan Cho

    While we’re at it, let’s eliminate dairy subsidies. There’s an industry that mercilessly exploits cows, contributes to the deadliest of human diseases, and wreaks environmental havoc (in all of its forms, regardless of size or style). Corn may be a problematic crop, but in its essence it is not as harmful as milk.

    But I agree, subsidizing corn is not a good idea.

    Reply
  2. Lee

    You’re right of course. It’s also worth noting though that corn is commonly used as livestock feed, so corn subsidies also indirectly help keep factory farms in business.

    Reply
    1. Susan Cho

      True. It’s also used as kitty litter these days, sometimes in whole kernel form. Promoted as renewable (more subsidies!) and biodegradable. Yay.

      Reply
  3. Marvin

    This is a great idea that will never, ever come to pass. Like most great ideas. My favorite is to require white roofs on all structures; that alone, they say, would knock out 30% of the global warming effect. But I want black, asphalt shingles! Boo-hoo!! Tyranny!!!

    Reply
    1. Susan Cho

      White OR “green” roofs! Grow white flowers on the roofs, in fact. Except Monsanto would probably come out with a super-roof-friendly strain of corn, so people could easily take advantage of whatever tax incentive the govt might give for having a green roof.

      Reply

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