Corn Subsidies Essay

Corn Subsidies
How The Federal Government has Contributed to the Growing Heath Crisis

Abstract
The idea of the Federal Government giving subsidies to certain industries or products is not a new idea. Throughout history, a subsidy has been given to help an industry in need or to spur economic progress. However, the effects of such a subsidy are not fully reviewed before the subsidy is made. This paper will identify and analyze: The corn subsidy given to the agricultural community for the manufacture of food products, the effects of such a subsidy on the quality of food, and the link to the healthcare crisis will be made. This subsidy if one of the largest in American History. It has sweeping implications for the environment, nutrition, and health (Chameides, 2008). The corn subsidy alters the production possibility curve by diminishing the production of other quality foods such as fruits and vegetables. It forces the production to increase along with demand because of corn’s vast use for food products and for processed animal food. It has driven up prices enticing farmers to produce more corn and use more agricultural resources, while increasing the risk to consumer’s health via the synthesized ingredients derived from corn products. The winners and losers in this subsidy are simple: The farming community receives the benefits while the American consumer loses out on the nutritional value of their food. This subsidy is not justified by any measure and it has been a huge detriment to our agricultural community as well as our healthcare industry and average consumer.

Corn as a Subsidy?
The corn subsidy began from the Farm Bill. Silva (2010) writes: The U.S. Government currently spends around $300 billion every five years on something called the “Farm Bill.” The Farm Bill, which has become known as a series of handouts to help different sectors of the agricultural industry, has often stirred controversy. Despite the fact that the bill is intended for small,...