Posted by: Frank G ||
08/09/2009 14:41 ||
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#1
I know EXACTLY what they're talking about. I was cleaning out my wallet the other day and left $700 billion in a pile somewhere. Now I just can't find it! I looked under the sofa cushions, everywhere, but I just don't know what happened to it.
An alliance of sugar-using industries sent a letter earlier today to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asking for an increase in the quotas imposed on imported sugar. The organizations signing the letter complain, quite reasonably, that domestic sugar stocks have fallen to historic lows and that a potential shortage would jeopardize production and jobs in their sectors.
"According to USDAs World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, the United States will end the next fiscal year with less than 13 days worth of sugar on hand, unless imports are increased. If this forecast is accurate, our nation will virtually run out of sugar."
The letter was signed by, among other organizations and companies, the American Bakers Association, the American Beverage Association, General Mills, Gonella Frozen Products, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the Hershey Company, the Independent Bakers Association, the International Dairy Foods Association, Kraft Foods, Krispy Kreme, Mars, the National Confectioners Association, Nestle USA, and Pepperidge Farm.
#2
But...but...this is good, right? I mean, wasn't there supposed to be some goofy tax on soda and other sweetened beverages coming down the pike?
(Note...I don't agree with that, mainly because I'm not in the Obama-friendly urban hipster pinhead demographic. But I can see them spinning it that way.)
#6
It may also have to do with flooding in the sugar beet fields in the Dakotas. They've been having really awful weather the last two years. Eldest Son and I Amtraked west last month, and a lot of fields had pathetically short corn stalks and many fields that had obviously been underwater for long periods of time. A North Dakota resident on the train told us that they, like Wisconsin and other places, have had way too much cool weather as well.
#8
Here we have productive American businesses going hat in hand to Washington to beg for an increase in QUOTAS. Wake up America! We need new signs for the tea parties to eliminate the quotas.
#13
All the sugar sold in the U.S. last year amounted to less than 6 billion dollars. Of the dozen businesses listed in the article Hershey alone is worth more than 8 billion with sales of over 5 billion a year.
The U.S. sugar industry can go straight to zero and GDP would still increase.
We must stop insane government regulations that favor one industry over all the others. Sugar quotas are reducing economic growth, fostering the growth of the biofuels industry in Brazil rather than here, forcing businesses to kowtow to DC mandarins, and if a shortage develops, will throw people out of work as factories run below their installed capacity.
#14
Government interventions in markets are ALWAYS transfers.
They leave one group better off, but ALWAYS leave another group worse off who pay for this idiocy via higher prices i.e. less left over for other GDP increasing activities.
Once you understand comparative advantage you know that anything that interferes with it is harmful.
#15
So there's no actual shortage of sugar (worldwide) - just an oversupply of gummint regulation and largess with our money.
As usual....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
08/09/2009 19:29 Comments ||
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#16
More Sugar!!!!!
/Firesign Theater
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
08/09/2009 20:29 Comments ||
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#17
Maybe we should have quotas for cars.
Too late, by a couple of decades. The Japanese got the warning when the UAW and Big Three pressured the Beltway for quotas in the wake of Americans discovering superior engineering and construction after the Arab Oil Embargo of the 70s. So they set up manufacturing in the US to get around that potential gambit. Now many a car with a Japanese label is not only made in the US, but with a high percent of parts also manufactured here while many models of Detroit brands have non-US assembly and high percentages of non-US parts.
A day after a Russ Carnahan event led to the arrests of five participants and a reporter, University City High School -- where U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill was set to hold a similar event on Tuesday-- announced that the forum has been canceled.
The school district sent a news release this afternoon stating that the "reasons for the cancellation by the school district are due to concerns for the safety and security of its staff, community members attending the event, and for the students who would be on campus during that time."
There is no word on whether McCaskill will find a new venue or keep a second town hall forum scheduled for later the same day in Jefferson County.
Either way, its hard not to notch the decision as a signal of the growing influence of the Tea Party coalition, who had succeeded at heckling Carnahan at two earlier meetings.
Although what the move portends for democracy -- that citizens can't gather for a public forum without fears of descending into fisticuffs? -- may be up for debate.
The cancelation is sure to raise eyebrows in Washington, where many other lawmakers are bracing for tough meetings during the Congressional break.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2009 00:00 ||
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#4
I know Jefferson County very well - lots of country, blue collar workers. Its the Meth capital of St Louis. Low ed levels, very hilly forested land, curvy 2 lane roads. pretty but not fancy. Simple folks.
Posted by: Yosemite Sam ||
08/09/2009 11:39 Comments ||
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#5
If these politicians haven't got the message yet, sounds like perfect country to take em to for real talkin to if this mess becomes "law".
St. Louis County police arrested six people, including a Post-Dispatch reporter, during a demonstration Thursday evening outside a forum on aging called by U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis.
Two of the people were arrested on suspicion of assault, one of resisting arrest and three on suspicion of committing peace disturbances, police say.
The forum drew an overflow crowd of several hundred to Bernard Middle School gym in south St. Louis County. Dozens of people, many carrying signs about the health care debate, were kept out because of the turnout. The back and forth between factions within the crowd created a carnival-like atmosphere inside and out between members of the movement opposing President Barack Obama's policies and groups who came to show support for the president's proposals.
The six people were arrested after confrontations outside the school, said county police spokesman Rick Eckhard. Carnahan was gone when the ruckus started, Eckhard said.
Post-Dispatch reporter Jake Wagman, who was covering the event and shooting video for stltoday.com, was arrested for interference.
Post-Dispatch photographer Dawn Majors was at the scene and photographed the arrests. She said she heard Wagman yell her name and say that he was being taken into custody.
In a prepared statement released Friday morning, Carnahan said: "Sadly we've seen stories about disrupters around the country, and we have a handful of them here in Missouri. Instead of participating in a civil debate, they have mobilized with special interests in Washington who have lined their pockets by overcharging Americans for a broken health care system."
"I will continue to engage with constituents that I am honored to represent in Congress and fight to achieve long-overdue health insurance reform in our country," Carnahan said.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/09/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
You mean you will force upon your constituients health insurance destruction and the biggest money grab in all of US history.
#2
they have mobilized with special interests in Washington who have lined their pockets by overcharging Americans for a broken health care system."
....but, but, but, useguys "THEY" are also buy billboard space along I-70 to warn voters NOT to let you railroad an Obama Health Care through congress. Please place those billboards under arrest.
Anyone have any further questions regarding how local law enforcement and possibly the military may come down on these important citizen issues?
To be broken, it had to be whole at some time. When was that? 1950, 1970, 1990? Tell me what we had back then as far as protocols, procedures, or pharmaceuticals we don't have today. We did have something. Many operating emergency rooms. They disappeared when Congress mandated without funding that no one could be turned away from emergency rooms. They disappeared like an endangered species with the few remaining ones finding shelter in state supported facilities. Congress broke it.
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St. Louis County police arrested six people, including a Post-Dispatch reporter, during a demonstration Thursday evening outside a forum on aging called by U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis.
