The New York Times reports on a problem facing this country's subsidy program. Corn production has far outstripped consumption for another year, reaching nearly 11 billion bushels in 2005.
When Prices Are Low And When Crops Are Large
The U.S. government pays subsidies to farmers both for growing too much corn and when crop prices are too low. Corn producers alone will receive about $4.5 billion when all is said and done.
Supply Outstrips Demand
One result is that the huge volumes of corn being encouraged by the subsidies are racing past actual demand. In fact, one Iowa corn producer interviewed had a 60-foot tall mountain of corn (almost 3 million bushels) piled outdoors next to full grain elevators, not knowing what to do with it.
Most Expensive Harvest
The surplus has depressed corn prices. When combined with a similar surplus last year, plus soaring shipping prices as a result of gasoline price hikes, a severe drought, and the damage from two hurricanes hitting the upper Gulf Coast, many corn growers have been placed in difficult positions, and subsidies will therefore increase. This could be the most expensive harvest ever subsidized by the federal government. Some predict that overall farm subsidies may surpass the record $23 billion spent in 2000.
A few months ago, I tran an article about the inequities surrounding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recently revised Food Pyramid, thanks to farmers who receive $15 billion to grow corn and soybeans alone. But with mountains of corn sitting around uneaten, it's beginning to look like U.S. consumers aren't buying what they're selling.
Could Americans be getting wise about reducing the amount of grains they're eating every day?
Your ancient ancestors previously existed on a diet of animals and vegetables that was virtually grain free. It was only with the advent of agriculture a mere 10,000 years ago -- a tiny fraction in evolutionary time -- that our ancestors began eating large amounts of sugar and starch in the form of grains (and potatoes).
Contemporary humans have not suddenly evolved mechanisms to incorporate the high carbohydrates from starch- and sugar-rich foods into their diet. In short, most of us are consuming far too much bread, cereal, pasta, corn (a grain, not a vegetable), rice, potatoes and Little Debbie snack cakes, with very grave consequences to our health. Making matters worse, most of the carbohydrates we consume come in the form of processed foods.
We all need a certain amount of carbohydrates, of course, but, through our addiction to grains, potatoes, sweets and other starchy and sugary foods, most of us are consuming far too many.
Your body's storage capacity for carbohydrates is quite limited, though, so here's what happens to all the excess: they are converted, via insulin, into fat and stored in the adipose, or fatty, tissue.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, chances are very good that the excess carbohydrates in your body are, in part or whole, to blame:
The bottom line is this: most of you need to reduce your intake of grains, including corn-based foods, and all sweets and potatoes, dramatically. For a comprehensive dietary plan geared toward fighting illness, preventing disease, increasing energy and optimizing your weight, hundreds of thousands of people have found benefit in reading and following the Total Health Program. What are you waiting for?