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A Sugar Tale of Three Conservatives

(June 13, 2013) – Question…

Why is conservative Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) criticized as self-serving for his support of current U.S. sugar policy in defense of Florida-based sugar farmers against subsidized sugar farmers from foreign nations…

While conservative Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania) is not similarly criticized as self-serving in opposing the current U.S. sugar policy on behalf of Pennsylvania-based candy-maker/sugar user Hershey’s chocolate, or…

While conservative Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Virginia) is not similarly criticized for taking the same anti-US sugar position on behalf of Virginia-based candy-maker/sugar user Mars, Inc.?

Shouldn’t all conservatives, regardless of home-state parochial interests, support getting the U.S. government out of U.S. sugar while at the same time getting foreign governments out of foreign sugar?

Isn’t that the free-market approach every conservative should be working towards?

Right now Sen. Toomey and Rep. Goodlatte’s approach unilaterally disarms U.S. sugar policy without targeting the foreign subsidies which have distorted the global sugar market. On the other hand, sugar-state conservatives want to target ALL policies, both at home and abroad, so the best businesses thrive.