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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 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
