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From: newsandviews_list@chuckmuth.com
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2004 11:05 AM
To: newsandviews@chuckmuth.com
Subject: Muth's Truths - July 18, 2004
Federal Website for Grocery Shopping?
by Chuck Muth
July 18, 2004
Rep. Ben Cardin, Maryland Democrat, thinks the prices for some basic groceries
are too high and wants to create a national web page providing consumers with
the retail prices of certain foods. The Grocery Price Comparison for Savings Act
of 2004 “would require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and maintain an
Internet website that is designed to allow consumers to compare the usual and
customary prices for essential foods sold by retail grocery stores for each
postal Zip Code, and for other purposes.”
According to the East County Times in Cardin’s Baltimore-area district, the
GPCSA “would require all states to submit retail prices for commonly-purchased
groceries. This data would be consolidated, updated monthly and made available
on a Department of Agriculture website, allowing consumers to find the lowest
food prices at grocery stores in their areas.” Selected groceries include ground
beef, eggs, milk, bread, butter, cheese and Spaghetti-O’s.
“This legislation would give consumers a new tool to help them comparison shop
for their groceries,” said Cardin. “Grocery prices for particular foods can vary
significantly, and consumers should have the opportunity to compare and decide.
At the same time, it also would open the door for greater competition,
ultimately leading to significant reductions in food prices.”
When reminded that grocery stores already spend a fortune advertising their
prices in newspaper ads and circulars...and that consumers already compare/shop
extensively...Cardin replied, “Please don’t try to use facts to muddy an
obviously important political issue for the working people of America just
months before a presidential election.”
Not to be outdone by his House colleague, Sen. Ted Kennedy, Massachusetts
Democrat, is drafting an Automobile Price Comparison for Savings Act for
middle-income voters who need an automobile to get to work every day.
“Not only is driving a car a life-and-death necessity for many Americans, just
take a look at how much a new car costs and then take a look at how much the
automobile manufacturers are spending on advertising,” thundered Kennedy from
the Senate floor last week. “These Benedict Arnold car executives are making
profits hand-over-fist while a lot of senior citizens are forced to drive around
in beat-up old Ford Escorts instead of brand new Ford Explorers! If they’d just
advertise less and use the savings to cut the cost of their cars, more Americans
would be able to trade up.”
Kennedy continued his tirade later that night on CNN’s Larry King Live by
declaring, “It’s just not fair, Larry! People are entitled to decent
transportation and these greedy auto executives could care less. All they’re
interested in is obscene profits. They truly have no hearts. In fact, I heard
the other day that one of them even kicked a puppy!”
OK, that part’s not true. In fact, the whole part about Kennedy’s auto industry
copycat bill is something I completely made up...although Kennedy DOES rant and
rave along these lines about the PHARMACEUTICAL industry.
On the other hand, the part about Cardin IS true...sort of. Cardin HAS
introduced such legislation, however...it’s for prescription drugs, not
groceries. The quotes are accurately stated about Cardin’s Prescription Drug
Price Comparison for Savings Act of 2004 (HR 4681)...only substitute
prescription drugs for foods, the Department of Health & Human Services for the
Department of Agriculture and pharmacies for grocery stores.
Make no mistake. Cardin’s bill isn’t about making it easier for consumers to
find the cheapest drug prices. It’s to sabotage the prescription drug benefit
passed by the Republican-led Congress last fall. Folks such as Cardin, Kennedy
and that left-wing group misnamed Families USA are doing everything they can to
block and/or confuse the public about the new prescription drug discount cards (www.medicare.gov)
so as to deny the GOP “bragging rights” when election time comes around in
November.
Democrats and liberals (but I repeat myself) who have been beating the drums for
a new prescription drug entitlement for years are now trying to undermine the
very plan many of them voted for before it even has a chance to work. These
folks are, at best, world-class hypocrites. Granny deserves better.
# # #
Chuck Muth is president of Citizen Outreach, a non-profit public policy advocacy
organization in Washington, D.C. The views expressed are his own and do not
necessarily reflect the views of Citizen Outreach. He may be reached at chuck@citizenoutreach.com
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