This has been going on since the mid 90s. Waaaaay before Obamacare.

Don't forget that the avg consumer wants "value". No one wants to pay more. No one counts in the unions, the $20/hr pay, health care, and yes taxes and EPA fees. People just look at the product and say "wow why is this so much? It's only a........" This is the same reason certain products cost more at a supermarket than at a farmers market. Because at a supermarket a portion of that price is for the pharmacy, the cafe, the transportation and so on. It takes more money to run a bigger place and the cost gets passed on to the consumer. All my fruits and vegetables shopping is done at a farmers market, it's roughly half price.

And another thing....everyone complains about the EPA. And i agree that lately they have gone bonkers but at the same time does anyone really think that without oversight these corporations would really police themselves? It's been proven over and over all around the world that without someone standing over them they will always do what's cheaper for the bottom line even if it's dumping toxic chemicals into your ground and water.