(DCNF)—Vice President Kamala Harris recently rolled out a proposal to tackle food prices, framing it as a response to “price gouging” by grocery stores and producers. This proposal is not just flawed, it is a classic example of overreach by the left that seems more interested in expanding bureaucratic control than addressing the real issues.
Harris’ plan to implement price controls not only reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of economic principles but will intensify the financial strain on American families, driving the final nail into the coffin of the Biden-Harris administration’s failed economy.
The left claims that grocery stores are deliberately keeping prices high to pad their profits. I have had the privilege of working with all types of grocers throughout my career – from the largest corporate chains to small, family-owned businesses. I know price gouging is not what is driving the rise in food costs. Prices are set based on a complex mix of factors, including supply chain disruptions, labor costs and market demand — elements that the government cannot and should not control. This industry operates on razor-thin profit margins, and the spike in prices is a direct result of the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous policies, which have affected supply chains and fueled inflation, making it harder for grocers to keep costs down for American families.
Rather than acknowledging the role their own economic mismanagement has played in driving up costs, they are scapegoating businesses that are simply trying to navigate a challenging market environment.
The idea of enacting a federal ban on price gouging may sound appealing to some, but it is actually gaslighting that will lead to unintended consequences, like food shortages. Rather than making things better for consumers, this plan would force companies to reduce supply or withdraw from certain markets altogether to avoid punitive actions by the federal government. Harris’ proposal risks creating more problems than it solves, potentially making grocery bills even higher for the very families she claims to be helping.
History shows that such controls do not work. Unable to cover the costs, producers may reduce production or close entirely. The inevitable result is empty shelves, long lines and even black markets for necessities – a scenario that has played out in many countries that have attempted similar policies.
Take Venezuela, for example. Once the wealthiest nation in Latin America, it is now a shadow of its former self, devastated by socialist policies like price controls. The government’s attempts to cap food prices led to severe shortages, driving millions to flee the country in search of necessities. Similarly, Argentina’s experience with price controls has resulted in rampant inflation and a thriving black market. Harris is willing to risk dragging America down this same dangerous path.
But the proposal isn’t just economically disastrous – it is an affront to American values. The United States was built on the principles of free markets and individual liberty. This plan would place control over what Americans can buy and at what price in the hands of government bureaucrats, which is a step more in line with authoritarian regimes than with the American way of life.
Moreover, this initiative would hit small businesses and farmers — especially in Hispanic communities — particularly hard. These small, family-owned grocery stores and local farmers, already operating on razor-thin margins, would be forced to sell at a loss under price controls, pushing many out of business. The result? Large multinational corporations would dominate the market, further eroding the local economies that are the backbone of our nation.
We must also consider the effect on food quality. Government-set prices give producers little incentive to maintain high standards, leading to a decline in quality. In places like Panama and Puerto Rico, price controls have led to an influx of low-quality imports, driving local producers out of business and reducing the quality of available food. If this plan is implemented, Americans could face the choice between low-quality, mass-produced goods and nothing at all.
Kamala Harris’ proposal is not a solution — it is a smokescreen designed to distract from the real causes of rising prices. The proposal faced significant backlash as soon as she announced it. It was also notably absent from her speech at the Democratic National Convention, which raises questions about the viability and public support for her plans. It is a dangerous step toward economic ruin and a direct assault on the freedoms that define our nation.
Instead of more government intervention, American families need a return to America First policies that promote economic growth, competition and innovation – principles that have always been at the heart of a strong, prosperous America. We must unleash American energy to bring down production and transportation costs, cut regulations so people can run their businesses more effectively, and reduce federal spending.
The American people, especially the hardworking Hispanic community, deserve better than to be pawns in the progressive agenda. It is time to resist this attack on our economy, defend the values that have made our country strong and protect the principles that make America great.
Bob Unanue serves as a board member for the America First Policy Institute and chairman of the Hispanic Leadership Coalition. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Goya Foods and Goya Cares and served as the executive producer of the movie Sound of Freedom.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
