5 ms·

Agriculture in the US is absolutely nothing like "raw capitalism". It is extremely regulated. Farmers are subsidized. It's nothing like "raw capitalism" in seve

• rdouble 14y ago
  Cash crops, sugar, meat and milk production are extremely regulated and subsidized. However, the production of many agricultural products like fruits, vegetables and nuts is pretty close to "raw capitalism."
• HarryHirsch 14y ago
  You mean, were the US to implement "raw capitalism", whatever that is, the externalities from antibiotic overuse are going to be priced in correctly? What mechanism do you suggest?
• mschuster91 14y ago
  If it were "extremely regulated", then there would not be regular news reports about contaminated meat scandals and stuff like "The Meatrix" would not exist. Simply put, if there are regulations, then they're either just pro forma or not enforced enough.
  • monkeyspaw 14y ago
    There are thousands of pages of regulations on federal meat standards. I think your statement would work better if you said, "If it were 'well regulated/sensibly regulated'..." It's also possible that regulations are confusing, unenforceable, out of date, or addressing symptoms instead of causes. I don't disagree with you, but I think your comment needed some clarification.
    • mschuster91 14y ago
      I would rather say that "Big Money" is preventing existing regulations from being enforced. The biggest issue is, of course, the sequester and the general lack of funding for food inspection - if there were enough food and animal safety inspectors, food scandals would simply not exist because of inspection pressure. The second issue, tightly connected with the funding issue, is lobbyism. The "food lobby" has only recently lobbied for making recording of animal rights violation a crime...
      • D9u 14y ago
        People are denial about fascism in the USA. Just look at how many pharmaceutical products are approved by the FDA only to be eventually recalled. Of further concern are the pharmaceuticals advertised as having side effects which "may result in death." How can the FDA allow these products?
        • mullingitover 14y ago
          On the one hand, yes sometimes bad things get approved in error. On the other hand, pharmaceuticals are already very tightly regulated. Plain old Aspirin wouldn't be approved by the FDA if it were invented today, it's too dangerous by their standards.
          • D9u 14y ago
            What some refer to as "crony capitalism" is more properly labeled "fascism." (Corporate intermingling with government at the expense of the plebiscite) As evidence there's the trend toward appointing people with strong ties to the very entities which they are appointed to regulate. (Can you say "conflict of interest?) http://www.naturalnews.com/020029_Byron_Richard_Andrew_von_Eschenbach.html http://www.naturalnews.com/020029_Byron_Richard_Andrew_von_E... http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/02/pharmaceutical-consultant-appointed-to.html http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/02/pharmaceutical-c... http://www.activistpost.com/2011/12/case-study-in-corporatocracy-monsanto.html http://www.activistpost.com/2011/12/case-study-in-corporatoc... Compare these facts to the recent crackdowns on natural foods. http://www.farmtoconsumer.org/litigation-FDA.htm http://www.farmtoconsumer.org/litigation-FDA.htm As for "tightly regulated" pharmaceuticals, have you any citations in support of this claim? http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidmaris/2012/10/10/fda-recall-points-to-serious-problems-at-the-fda/ http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidmaris/2012/10/10/fda-recall...
            • monkeyspaw 14y ago
              Fascism is "extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice." I can see how strongly held views might lead one to exaggeration, but I don't think hyperbole lends anyone's position much authority.
  • svmegatron 14y ago
    ... or (and I think this might be a pretty effect) they fail to take into account unforeseen side effects.