BS: US pork barrel politics defeat G8

Subject: BS: US pork barrel politics defeat G8
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 04:07 AM

The G8 development round (designed to assist the poorest nations to profit from international trade) has collapsed largely because the USA would not give up its internal subsidies nor its barriers to imports. One stated reason was that congress would not accept the proposals even if the delegation did.

Discuss why the richest nation in the world might legitimately take this stance.

Subject: RE: BS: US pork barrel politics defeat G8
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 04:14 AM

One word, GREED.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: US pork barrel politics defeat G8
From: mack/misophist
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 09:42 AM

Congress has often/always been the snag that prevented the US from doing things it ought to do.

Subject: RE: BS: US pork barrel politics defeat G8
From: dianavan
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:46 PM

...because the U.S. govt. (your tax dollars) subsidizes big business with subsidies and restrictions on imports.

Subject: RE: BS: US pork barrel politics defeat G8
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 04:48 PM

this big sugar
documentary recently ran on the cbc

never mind the facts that obesity among children has increased 3fold since 1980 and that kids drink more pop that milk nowadays, the shocking bit is the way the big sugar cartels like the Fanjuls make big political contributions and get big subsidies to keep the cost of sugar in the US 3x what the rest of the world pays and keep out other countries' sugar.

"During the 2004 campaign both parties received 3.1 million in campaign contributions from the sugar industry. Congress voted for a 1.4 billion dollar subsidy. The Fanjul's share is said to be $65 million, after having donated $450,000 to the candidates."

All the while Haitian workers on the (Fanjul) plantations in the Dominican republic are kept almost as slaves:
(earning 2$ for 12 hours of cutting sugar cane in stifling heat - have to purchase food from company stores at twice regular cost and unable to leave )

and when the World Health Organization tried to make a recommendation on what is a safe level of sugar in diet - around 9% (although the actual consumption in the West is much higher, at least double)
the US govt responded with all sorts of 'science based' studies that
ridiculed the WHO Doctors, and finally threatened to terminate the US portion of the WHO budget (300$ million or so) unless that recomendation was dropped. (which it was).

with one can of soda containing 12-14 heaping teaspoons of sugar
no wonder kids are getting fat.. and the Softdrink companies fighting to get pop machines into schools so they can get kids hooked on a brand while theyre young..

and I would say that it is probably not just big sugar, but all the other big agri-business that greases the politicans palms - and the average joe taxpayer knows nothing about any of the backroom deals.

no wonder the WTO talks broke down, finally countries like Brazil are saying - were not going to agree to anything unless our people vote on the issue.

Subject: RE: BS: US pork barrel politics defeat G8
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:05 PM

In the USA the Sugar lobby is dwarfed by the Corn Lobby. There is NO sugar in most US soft drinks but there is an equivalent amount of corn syrup. There is some sort of corn is nearly every processed food.

Subject: RE: BS: US pork barrel politics defeat G8
From: Greg F.
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:39 PM

Yup, good ol' high fructose corn syrup.

There's gold in them thar ears- children's health be damned in The Land Of The Free.