(DCNF)—Every parent knows the feeling. You walk into the grocery store expecting to pick up the same items you’ve purchased for years, only to discover the total somehow climbed again. A few dollars here. A few dollars there. Before long, feeding a family becomes noticeably more expensive than it was just a few years ago.

Americans deserve answers about why this keeps happening. What they don’t deserve are convenient political scapegoats.

As food prices continue to rise, some policymakers and activists are searching for someone to blame. Manufacturers, suppliers and producers often find themselves in the crosshairs. But blaming the businesses that help feed America is like blaming the thermometer for a heat wave. It may satisfy a political narrative, but it does nothing to address the actual problem.

The reality is that food security begins long before products reach grocery store shelves. It starts with the farmers who grow our crops, the manufacturers who produce critical agricultural inputs, and the complex supply chains that connect the world economy.

One of the most important links in that chain is fertilizer. Without fertilizer, crop yields decline. When crop yields decline, food production falls. When food production falls, prices rise. It’s a straightforward equation that affects every family in America.

Yet fertilizer production depends on raw materials such as sulfur, ammonia, and phosphate that move through a highly interconnected global marketplace. When geopolitical instability disrupts that marketplace, the effects ripple throughout the entire food supply chain. That is exactly what we are witnessing today.

Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine continues to disrupt key commodity markets and transportation networks. Tensions throughout the Middle East have created uncertainty around critical shipping routes. Countries such as China have restricted exports of fertilizer and related inputs, tightening supplies even further. Together, these events have created significant pressure on the materials farmers need to grow the food that ultimately reaches American dinner tables.

None of these is the result of corporate greed. It is the predictable consequence of global instability colliding with economic reality. When supplies become constrained, prices rise. When supplies expand, prices stabilize. The laws of economics have not been suspended simply because the issue has become politically inconvenient.

Unfortunately, some leaders seem more interested in assigning blame than removing obstacles. If policymakers genuinely want to lower costs for families, they should focus on strengthening America’s ability to produce, manufacture, and compete. That means streamlining permitting processes, reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, encouraging domestic energy production, and ensuring that American manufacturers can access the resources they need to meet demand. It also means recognizing an important truth that often gets lost in today’s political debates: businesses are not the enemy.

At the Christian Employers Alliance, we work with employers across the country who see business as a calling rather than merely a source of profit. They understand that every decision they make affects employees, families, customers, and communities.

That belief inspired the creation of the Biblical Business Index (BBI), which evaluates policies through the lens of five core biblical freedoms. This fertilizer and food security challenge highlights the critical importance of Economic Freedom, one of those five freedoms.

Biblical principles of stewardship call us to manage resources wisely, pursue honest commerce, and enable productive work that provides for families and communities. Excessive regulations, permitting delays, and policies that hinder domestic production directly undermine economic freedom. They make it harder for American farmers and manufacturers to respond to global disruptions, increase costs, and ultimately hurt the very families we aim to serve. Policies that expand economic freedom, by cutting red tape, promoting domestic energy and resource development, and strengthening supply chain resilience, align with Scripture’s emphasis on diligence, responsibility, and abundance.

Those same principles should guide our approach to economic policy.

A healthy society depends on healthy institutions. Strong families need stable jobs. Stable jobs require successful businesses. Successful businesses require an environment where innovation, production, and investment are encouraged rather than punished.

When employers can thrive, communities thrive alongside them.

The Biblical concept of stewardship teaches that resources should be managed wisely and responsibly. That lesson applies just as much to public policy as it does to individual conduct. Leaders have a responsibility to create conditions that allow people and businesses to be productive, solve problems, and meet human needs.

Food security is ultimately about more than fertilizer, trade policy, or commodity markets. It is about whether America remains capable of providing abundance for future generations. That goal will not be achieved by vilifying employers, manufacturers, or producers. It will not be achieved through political finger-pointing. And it certainly will not be achieved by ignoring the geopolitical realities driving today’s supply disruptions.

Instead, it will be achieved through policies that encourage production, strengthen supply chains, reward innovation, and empower responsible businesses to do what they do best: create value, provide opportunity, and serve their communities.

Americans don’t need another villain in the food security debate. They need leaders willing to address the real causes of the problem. And they need the courage to support the businesses helping provide the solution.

Margaret Iuculano is President of the Christian Employers Alliance, advocating for the rights of faith-based businesses to operate according to their convictions. She works at the intersection of law and policy and helps advance the Biblical Business Index (BBI), a Scripture-centered policy platform guiding Christian CEOs in aligning business decisions, investments, and public engagement with biblical truth.

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The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare

In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.

America First Healthcare stands out as a private insurance agency dedicated to helping conservatives and families secure better coverage and better rates through customized, values-aligned options. By conducting free insurance reviews, the agency uncovers hidden gaps in existing policies and connects clients with private alternatives that emphasize personal responsibility, small-government principles, and genuine affordability—often delivering up to 20% savings while providing stronger protection for the American Dream.

The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.

These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.

High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.

Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.

Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.

Private alternatives, by contrast, offer year-round flexibility without the restrictions of open enrollment windows. Independent agents can shop across a wider range of carriers to design plans tailored to specific family needs—whether that means lower deductibles for frequent medical users, broader provider networks, or add-ons that support wellness and preventive services from day one. Clients frequently report more stable premiums that do not automatically escalate each year, along with genuine cost savings once the full picture of deductibles, copays, and coverage depth is considered.

Take the experience of real families who made the switch. Amanda C. shared that her new plan felt “way better” than what she had through the marketplace. Johnny Y. noted his previous coverage kept increasing annually until he found a more stable private option. Sofia S. expressed delight with her plan and began recommending it to others. These stories echo a common theme: when families move beyond one-size-fits-all government marketplaces, they often discover customized protection that better safeguards both health and finances.

Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.

Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.

In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.

America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.

Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.