Aaron Akunuru

Constitutional Masquerading: Corruption in the Consumer Protection Committee

The Consumer Protection Committee, racing to pass the Pure Food and Drug Act: a bill that mandates inspection of consumer products before sale as well as accurate labeling of all consumer goods, is split into two trains of thought. On one side, blocks unite on the sentiment of prosperity for the American people; on another, there is a braintrust of blocks who state there is more importance in a piece of dilapidated parchment. Senator Joseph Bailey, known in committee to emphatically accuse anyone who disagrees with him a “socialist!”, claims he “[does] not intend to protect consumers, it’s unconstitutional.”. This sentiment distills the objective of the conservative blocks which seek to uphold monopoly and collusion at the expense of the American people while peacocking as institutions of integrity. Senator Benjamin Tillman, a prominent thought leader in the Consumer Protection Committee, stated in among others in his block “It is 1906, federal power is something we really fear at this time”— but what is so terrifying about removing hair and feces from your food? In a conversation with an anonymous source, Tillman stated “It is my job to oppose the Pure Food and Drug Act as it will give the federal government the ability to bust Southern states for illegal activities and destroy our economies.”; while quite vague, we can elucidate his intentions by analyzing the goals of the blocks he is opposing.

Alice Lakey, American activist and major thought leader in her block, stated in an interview: “As important as it is to uphold American values, we must adapt to the needs of the people. We must ensure safety is provided to every citizen before letting the powerful line their pockets.” Alice hopes the Pure Food and Drug Act will grant our people this safety. William C. Adamson, representative of Georgia and prominent member of Lakey’s block, stated in an interview “We must prioritize the rights of the working class as workers are simultaneously consumers.”— it is clear which school of thought has the people in their heart. The damning reveal of the maliciousness of the conservative blocks was found in an interview with former representative of Indiana, Eugene Debs. Debs stated: “The problem with capitalism right now is the plague of monopolies in the packing industries which are lying to us and killing us by mixing cocaine and alcohol in our influenza and smallpox vaccinations.”— these are the “illegal activities” that Tillman is disregarding under the guise of constitutional fundamentalism and under the delusion of the good of the “economy”.