Answer: Bittman begins the sentence with "And" to indicate a continuation or connection to the previous thought. Starting a sentence with "And" can create a sense of flow and transition from the preceding idea.
Explanation: The paragraph being only one sentence long could be a stylistic choice to emphasize a particular point or to make a strong, concise statement. Sometimes, a single-sentence paragraph can draw attention to the importance of the information presented.
Setting "not inconsequential during the current struggle over deficits and spending" between dashes may serve to highlight this specific phrase as an important aside or additional information that is crucial for the reader to consider. Dashes are often used to set off nonessential information that adds context or emphasis.
In conclusion, Bittman's use of starting the sentence with "And," keeping the paragraph short, and using dashes to set off a significant phrase all contribute to the clarity and impact of the message he is trying to convey.
