Secretary Tom Vilsack has brought 34-year veteran Pearlie Reed back to address troubled race relations at the USDA. First up, investigating the 3,800 complaints of racial discrimination a recent review found to have potential merit. Terence Samuel, deputy editor of The Root, takes a look at what Secretary Tom Vilsack is doing to change the Department of Agriculture’s reputation as the last plantation.
Comments [4]
This was a weird one.
I'm glad that they are addressing issues of racism. But why is the USDA in housing at all? Am I the only one who said "Huh?"? Why are they providing so many subsidies? Why do they (as the guest claims) have an office in every county in every state?
I live in Kings County NY with nary a farm in sight. Can we use this discussion as an opportunity to figure out how the gov't can address racism but also cut a few billion in spending? We need to cut the deficit to pay for health care!
So why does the guest NEVER GIVE a single dollar figure as to how much the USDA is actually spending? Let's cut cut cut!
One word: Deregulation. Deregulation under GOP is not just changing laws, but underfunding and understaffing ALL agencies that enforce regulations particularly against industry. Brian, how about a series about the many faces and effects of deregulation? Telephony, FDA, USDA, .....
I'm really interested in the subject, but this is difficult to listen to. He sounds nervous.
Huh?
I must say, it's BL bringing these sort of topics to light that make this show especially worthwhile for me. Thanks and I look forward to the segment.
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