Really come on

Then 'They" should reevaluate the viable use through dates. Most of my local markets have unshucked corn. And in response to @diyrogue , most of my local grocery stores have a large waste can next to the corn so that people can shuck in store and there is no mess.

I'm not saying it's the best solution. Personally I advocate radical change in which we institute massive reforms to compensate domestic farmers a fair wage for labor and incentivize people to not only take up farming, but allocate more land in more areas so populations can rely more on locally sourced goods (as part of sweeping measures in land ownership and real estate laws as well as other sectors to form a comprehensive package to ensure basic standards of living and stability.) I'm just saying why they do it, not that it's the best or only way.

You clearly have no idea how much The United States of America government spends on corn and grain subsidies every year. We literally grow so much corn and grain that we give it away to other nations. And we subsidize the farmers to grow corn and grain that we can't even use. Just so that if we one day need it it will be there. We ship corn and grain to Russia. Paid for with American taxpayer money.

I'm well aware. I'm well aware that the spike in grain demands and subsidies partially created by bio fuels has had many effects. Blue agave crops in Mexico were burned wholesale by farmers who could make more in the grain market than the tequila market for instance. There's a ton of effects across many industries and it's very complex. Regardless of subsidies though farmers struggle to make a living, especially independent or small growers across most agricultural industries. Much of the money ends up all over the place in feeder industries like bio engineering firms. There's not enough room or time to discuss the complexities of the situation but put simply, most farmers aren't doing well and few want the job. It's not known as a job where one lives particularly well most places and what anmounts to slave labor or little better is used widely for a reason.

I would call your arm a fucking ambulance.

Hmmm, That's cool. You didn't call my arm Mitch. So, Why don't you call corn on the cob corn?

It's going to go bad just as fast in cellophane. Actually bacteria and fungi will grow faster in a moist non-permeable environment. We don't have people peel our grapes and wrap them in plastic. We don't have people peel our bananas and wrap them in cellophane. But I guess corn is different. Ever have anybody hand you a peeled tomato wrapped in cellophane?

Keeping the husks attached helps keep the corn moist longer. However by the time it's been moved and stored for lord knows how long the husks dry out and can start accumulating pests etc. once corn has reached the store it is no longer expected to be kept in long term storage and is expected to sell and be used quickly. The dried and detoriorated husks are thought to make consumers perceive the product as less fresh (which technically it is). The husks at this point are almost useless anyway so they pull them off and wrap it. Perforated or breathable plastic should be used because botulism bacteria can accumulate otherwise.