Wendell Berry goes to jail

JL Wall says:

The problem with the legislation is kind of like with the new tobacco bill — except it’s a far, far worse piece of legislation. Philip Morris wants increased tobacco regulation because it means other companies can’t compete with already-existing brand recognition/financial advantage. Big Ag doesn’t mind this bill (or increased “regulation”)because they can afford the exorbitant (and they are exorbitant) fees for registration and regulation of farm animals, while small farmers will have much more trouble. Which is to say: meat from Big Ag stays the same price; locally raised meat goes up in price and potential small farmers are discouraged by skyrocketing initial overhead; Big Ag wins.

But what makes the bill so disgusting is that it’s aimed at producing a healthier food supply, but aims to do this by benefitting industrial meat production, which Berry is absolutely correct to say is the problem, and punishing the small farmers who don’t run bacteria breeding-grounds. It’s going after those farmers who are very much NOT the problem, and ignoring those who are.

His point isn’t just about “big bad gov,” but about government being in bed with Big Ag at the expense of everyone else.Report