THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 23, 1995 TAG: 9509230003
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Last week, we lamented that the U.S. Senate had failed in an attempt to eliminate the Market Promotion Program of the Agriculture Department. In fact, the Senate planned to increase funding by 30 percent. The program uses taxpayer dollars to subsidize overseas advertising for large corporations that can afford to take care of themselves.
Before the ink was dry, Senate foes of the indefensible program, led by Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark., took another shot at it. This time, in a vote of 61-37, it was decided to cut the program back to $70 million a year - down by about 17 percent. Some of the pork would also be directed to less affluent companies rather than giving it all to agri-giants like Sunkist.
Up 30 percent one day, down 17 percent the next - what's it matter? It doesn't, of course. The program has no conceivable connection to a vital national interest, and if it vanished tomorrow only the companies forced to pay their own way would notice.
Taxpayers should probably be grateful that only 70 million of their dollars will be wasted on this program next year, instead of $110 million. But it's hard to rejoice in that fact.
The program never should have been created. It deserves to die. Putting it on a diet brings no consolation. Kill it! Or, as they say these days, zero it out. by CNB