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Check out my new article in @amconmag -- it's honestly my favorite thing I've ever written.
It's time to challenge the agribusiness monopolies that are squeezing
farmers and food workers. 
#2ndGildedAge https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/to-revive-rural-america-we-must-fix-our-broken-food-system/
It's time to challenge the agribusiness monopolies that are squeezing
farmers and food workers. #2ndGildedAge https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/to-revive-rural-america-we-must-fix-our-broken-food-system/
The outlook for rural communities is grim. There are fewer jobs than there were a generation ago and the ones that remain pay lower and lower wages. America’s agricultural system is predicated on an extractive model, where more and more of the profits flow to a few.
Slaughterhouse workers made $11 per hour in 1985, equal to $25 in 2018 when adjusted for inflation. But 33 years later, the average slaughterhouse worker makes less than $3 more. Meanwhile, the CEO of Smithfield made $291 million in 2017. http://money.com/money/5281749/wan-long-wh-group-ceo-pay/
In the 1980s, 37 cents out of every $1 went back to the farmer. Today, farmers take home less than 15 cents on every $1. This new economic reality forces farmers to survive on volume, creating a system where only the largest farms can make a living. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/farm-bill-small-farmers_us_5c116676e4b0449012f64078
Because farmers and other rural workers make less 
, they also spend less w/in their communities, creating a ripple effect that negatively impacts other local businesses. As a result, rural communities are hollowing out.
, they also spend less w/in their communities, creating a ripple effect that negatively impacts other local businesses. As a result, rural communities are hollowing out.
The recovery from the Great Recession was an urban phenomenon 
Rural areas still have not even recovered the jobs they lost in the recession.
Rural areas still have not even recovered the jobs they lost in the recession.
A handful of trends reflect this loss of opportunity and the decline in living conditions. Medicaid now pays for more than half of the births at rural hospitals. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/06/27/534436521/from-birth-to-death-medicaid-affects-the-lives-of-millions
Suicide rates are higher in rural than in urban —and the gap is growing. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/05/24/mapping-the-rising-tide-of-suicide-deaths-across-the-united-states/?utm_term=.5b3a027af8b8
than in urban —and the gap is growing. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/05/24/mapping-the-rising-tide-of-suicide-deaths-across-the-united-states/?utm_term=.5b3a027af8b8
The overall violent crime rate in Iowa rose by only 3% between 2006 and 2016, but grew by 50% in communities with fewer than 10,000 residents. http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/gov-crime-rural-urban-cities.html
The opioid epidemic thrives from the desperation created by these economic circumstances. Thus, it is little surprise that rural communities simmer w/a resentment that contributed to the election of @realDonaldTrump. https://www.amazon.com/Politics-Resentment-Consciousness-Wisconsin-American/dp/022634911X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BH4VIW3H9K1U&keywords=politics+of+resentment&qid=1551271379&s=gateway&sprefix=politics+of+rese%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-1
Every year brings a new bestselling book that documents how broken the food system is. The current Democratic Party platform mentions “agriculture” and “food” 6 times each; the Republican Party mentions them only a few times more.
food system is. The current Democratic Party platform mentions “agriculture” and “food” 6 times each; the Republican Party mentions them only a few times more.
The recently passed Farm Bill, which received significant support from both parties in December, largely maintains the status quo. It is little wonder that monopolies and corporate farms have grown more powerful at the expense of workers and family farmers.
Beyond the Farm Bill, the inability of either party to challenge concentrated power in the food system is best illustrated with the meat monopolies. The Obama administration tried to stand up to 
monopolies but cowered when the industry pushed back. https://washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/novdec-2012/obamas-game-of-chicken/
food system is best illustrated with the meat monopolies. The Obama administration tried to stand up to monopolies but cowered when the industry pushed back. https://washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/novdec-2012/obamas-game-of-chicken/
And if the Democratic Party ignored the concentration of power of the meat monopolies, the Republican Party, particularly under @realDonaldTrump, has exploited and entrenched it. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/05/amputations-serious-injuries-us-meat-industry-plant?CMP=share_btn_tw
’s agricultural system should allow regular folks to make a decent living producing food. There are a number of simple actions that can help reverse the downward trajectory.
For much of the 20th century, the fed government administered an antitrust framework that sought to avoid concentrated economic power. This framework helped ensure competitive balance, & sparked broad economic growth that benefited workers. https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/a-call-to-save-democracy-by-battling-monopolies/2018/12/27/949cf8f4-06fe-11e9-a3f0-71c95106d96a_story.html?utm_term=.34acc327de49
But in the early 1980s, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice—influenced by the work of Robert Bork—pared back antitrust enforcement.
(In my original draft I referred to Bork as a Nixon hatchet man
) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2012/12/20/antitrust-was-defined-by-robert-bork-i-cannot-overstate-his-influence/?utm_term=.a385d7939450
(In my original draft I referred to Bork as a Nixon hatchet man
) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2012/12/20/antitrust-was-defined-by-robert-bork-i-cannot-overstate-his-influence/?utm_term=.a385d7939450
Bork argued that the government must only focus on the impact of consumer prices when assessing anti-competitive harm. This approach, known as the “consumer welfare standard,” has resulted in less antitrust enforcement.
The problem with this theory is that its basic premise has been disproven. 
Economist Kwoka analyzed the effects to prices after mergers. After reviewing almost 200, he found that post-merger prices increased by an average of 4%. Thus, the consumer welfare standard fails to meet its own modest goal of reducing consumer prices. https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/mergers-merger-control-and-remedies
Yet despite this evidence, this broken enforcement strategy continues to be supported by both major political parties. 
It is time to turn the page on this failed theory and put the “anti” back into antitrust!
It is time to turn the page on this failed theory and put the “anti” back into antitrust!
The decline of rural communities & the consolidation of the food system was the result of deliberate policy choices. Rural can thrive once again but only if we’re willing to challenge who holds power in the current system.
food system was the result of deliberate policy choices. Rural can thrive once again but only if we’re willing to challenge who holds power in the current system.
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https://openmarketsinstitute.org/
https://openmarketsinstitute.org/
Also check out @gracyolmstead's article!
No joke, here's my reaction after I read it the first time: "She has such a warmth to her writing that’s truly remarkable. She walks so many lines so well. Mark my words, her
will only continue to rise" https://twitter.com/gracyolmstead/status/1100737175572934656
No joke, here's my reaction after I read it the first time: "She has such a warmth to her writing that’s truly remarkable. She walks so many lines so well. Mark my words, her
will only continue to rise" https://twitter.com/gracyolmstead/status/1100737175572934656
I owe a lot of thanks to friends/family for reviewing versions of this article that I've been working on in spurts since last summer, but a special thanks to my great editor @DanielMKishi and my bae @DanielHonberg.
On a final note, here's a picture of my mom from her old bakery that I mention in the article 
Here's what you can do --> Reach out to your Sens/Rep and ask them to co-sponsor the "Food & Agribusiness Merger Moratorium & Antitrust Review Act."
The bill:
1. Puts a 18-month pause on mergers
2. Requires Congressional study
New sponsors are joining every week.
The bill:
1. Puts a 18-month pause on mergers
2. Requires Congressional study
New sponsors are joining every week.
A quick email asking for their support and why you care really makes a difference.
Right now this bill has 13 House/3 Senate sponsors. https://www.conginst.org/contact-congress/
Right now this bill has 13 House/3 Senate sponsors. https://www.conginst.org/contact-congress/
