There are now 44.2 million people enrolled in SNAP at a cost of $70.9 billion a year. We have obeyed the Biblical injunction to feed the hungry. Indeed, we’ve obeyed it too well – 39.6% of American adults are obese, needing to lose at least 30 pounds. And it’s hard to see how SNAP has not been part of the problem. When the program began, the national obesity rate was, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14.5%. Currently the adults who qualify for SNAP, with income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level, have an obesity rate of 45.2%. Perhaps we should move on to another Biblical injunction such as “clothe the naked.” Lena Dunham could use some help in this regard. As noted, of the farm bill’s $867 billion, $664 billion goes to “Nutrition.” (Or – since one- third of Americans are in danger of getting stuck in their bathtubs – let’s just come right out and call it “Pork.”) Another $4 billion goes to things like “export promotion programs.” (I’m picturing USDA officials sent overseas to teach the Chinese how to eat corn on the cob.) And only the remaining $199 billion goes to farmers. Most of that $199 billion will be spent on three things: • Crop insurance • Commodity price supports • Conservation But why should we taxpayers be paying for these? Farming is a business like any other. I’m a writer. Writing is a business. Admittedly, writing isn’t as fundamentally important
as growing food. (Although I’ve had to eat my words often enough.) But, per our obesity statistics, America doesn’t need more food. And America does need – there are indications of this at the very highest level of our government – to be able to read. Also, according to the U.S. Commerce Department, the “Media and Entertainment Industry” – of which I am a part – accounts for 6.9% of U.S. GDP. So E-I-E-I-O to you, Old MacDonald, and your On-that-farm-there- was-a-Agricultural-and-Nutrition-Act-of-2018. With a $664 billion here and a $199 billion there Here a billion, there a billion Everywhere $867 billion
Hank Blaustein | © 2015 Grant’s Interest Rate Observer. Used by permission. www.GrantsPub.com
American Consequences 61
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