> The impacts pushed a delegation of California lawmakers to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide financial support to the fruit growers.

Seems like the opposite of the free market. Large farmers are usually the first people lining up for a government handout, and their representatives are regularly anti-market types.

We have 2 anti-capitalist parties right now that shower largess on on their favored interests.

only one is pretending not to be one though… during the NYC mayoral election there was a single GOP politician who wasn’t publicly crying about mamdani (as if anyone cares what congressman from some shithole state thinks about it) which is just so comical. republican party is more socialist (when it needs to be) than china

They’re selectively socialist.

Isn't that most socialists?

that is the best kind of socialist

Isn't that what is happening, minus the government assistance?

The U.S. has not had any sort of Free Market in agricultural products since at least 1942 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wickard_v._Filburn

Sure, there's plenty of puffed-up talk about having one. That's kinda like the talk about Santa bringing toys for good little girls and boys.

The Free Market magic hand™ does not apply to those who have capital and are facing losses. That's only when you don't have capital and are facing losses.

Did Del Monte's investors and lenders lose money? It would be strange if they didn't.

This is more in reference to the farmers.

Exactly.

(I wonder why my comment has been deleted)