The largest Tea Party in Florida, which was organized around a philosophy of halting excessive government spending and taxation, threw its weight behind the continuation of America’s no-cost sugar policy on November 14.

Under that policy, the U.S. market has been adequately supplied while other countries have seen shortages; taxpayers haven’t spent a dime on subsidies; U.S. candy companies have increased their production and seen record profits; and the U.S. market has been one of the most open in the world, importing nearly 30 percent of the sugar we consume. Here’s what the South Florida Tea Party wrote:

America’s sugar policy doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime, yet it supports 142,000 U.S. jobs in 18 states and $20 billion ($3 billion in Florida) in annual economic activity and it ensures this country has an adequate, affordable, and safe domestic supply of an essential ingredient.

The USDA projects the sugar program will remain at NO COST to the U.S. Treasury through at least 2021

America’s sugar policy is a good example of efficient government action as sugar farmers receive no direct payments and no government subsidies.

The government, instead, provides market supply/demand balance and rigorous anti-dumping protection at our borders—rightly preventing subsidized foreign producers from gaining control of American sugar markets and shipping even more American jobs and industries overseas.

• Because sugar producers don’t receive government subsidy checks, sugar policy operated at zero cost in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
• America’s sugar farmers, processors, and refiners create 142,000 jobs in 18 states and generate nearly $20 billion a year for the U.S. economy. Without no-cost sugar policy, these jobs would go overseas.
• Sugar is an essential ingredient in the U.S. food supply, and sugar policy aids our country’s food security. It ensures we can produce sugar here at home instead of giving control of our food production and kitchens to unreliable foreign countries—just like Europe did five years ago and it now is facing sugar shortages and price spikes.
• Since current sugar policy was approved in 2008, even its biggest opponents—candy manufacturers—have excelled by posting record profits, expanding U.S. operations, and creating new jobs.

America’s sugar policy is working well and at no-cost keeping American farmers in business, employing American families and preserving small-town, rural American values in 18 states across the USA.