This week in OtherWords, Sonali Kolhatkar unpacks one of the most “explosive” issues in the news right now: that’s right, lettuce.
Amid reports of “explosive diarrhea” resulting from tainted lettuce, many Americans are understandably wondering where they can find safer produce. Sonali suggests local farmers markets — but she also urges us to be curious about why outbreaks like this happen.
A major reason, she argues, is corporate consolidation in the food industry. When fewer suppliers dominate the market, then contamination in one market can end up sickening people across the entire country. That monopoly power also helps corporations lobby against basic regulations, she adds.
“Last year the administration weakened the nation’s already thin food safety monitoring service, FoodNet, by making it optional to track numerous types of infections — including cyclosporiasis,” Sonali writes. “What will help prevent future outbreaks is restoring and expanding regulatory agencies tracking infectious outbreaks. And breaking up food monopolies while sustaining and strengthening small farms.”
Also this week, Emma Newton explains how states can still protect residents from toxic pesticides despite a recent Supreme Court ruling favoring pesticide makers. Shaddi Zeid shows how taxes on digital ad companies like Google can help patch holes in state budgets. And Stephen Land and Bob Lord crunch the numbers for how tax policy creates billionaires (or trillionaires) like Elon Musk.
New This Week…
Don’t Want Explosive Diarrhea? Shop Local — and Regulate Big Food | Sonali Kolhatkar
Will the federal government have the guts to do what it takes to protect the American people’s guts?
How States Can Protect Residents from Harmful Pesticides | Emma Newton
The Supreme Court may have sided with Monsanto, but states can still take action against harmful pesticide manufacturers.
States Can Make Big Tech Pay Their Fair Share | Shaddi Zeid
To offset federal cuts, Illinois will now tax corporations using our personal data for advertising. Other states should follow.
Elon Musk’s Fortune Comes From Not Paying Taxes | Stephen Land and Bob Lord
Trillionaires are creatures of the tax code. If they paid taxes like working people, we wouldn’t have any.
In Case You Missed It…
Robinhood in Reverse: How the Pentagon Makes Us Poorer | Danaka Katovich
While costs rise for everything, SNAP recipients who lost benefits — and the farmers who fed them — are being asked to shell out $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon.
Naked Fossil Fuel Corruption | Basav Sen
While states are trying to hold Big Oil accountable for climate disasters, some fossil fuel-funded lawmakers in Congress are trying to shield them.
Trump Wants an Attorney General Loyal to Him — Not the Law | Paul Gordon
From the January 6 slush fund to the Epstein files, Todd Blanche’s record suggests he’d serve Trump, not the public.
Lawmakers Need to Protect Our Nest Eggs from Scams Like SpaceX | Natalia Renta
Fast-tracking SpaceX and other newly public companies into index funds puts retirement savers at risk — all to benefit corporate insiders.
