Ethanol mixed in gas doesn't damage engines that are used regularly. Actually, it's beneficial in small quantities (not that that warrants gov't intervention in the market). It does damage engines that sit idle for long periods more than straight gas, but the main cause of that damage is leaving fuel sitting around in the first place.
Also, there's no evidence that ethanol drives up corn prices. It's a nice theory, but if you look at the data there's nothing there. Actually, when the initial miniscule mandate went up by like 100,000x the price of corn dropped by about half [Note: quoting numbers from memory. A few years ago I did look into the correlation between ethanol usage and corn prices, and found that while corn prices jump all over the place I could never find an instance where increased ethanol usage lead to a rise in corn prices and most of the time I found the opposite (not that I believe increased ethanol usage was the cause of lower corn prices)].
Ethanol in gas sucks when it's mandated from DC, or used incorrectly. It doesn't "kill engines".
you need to get out more and meet thee dead. The hygroscopic properties of ethanol enhance corrosion in aluminum and potmetal parts in engines that are not used on a daily basis. fuel systems commonly have those components. Lawnmowers, chain saws, outboard motors, motorcycles, and a host of other small engine applications do not always see daily use, except in the relatively few situations where people use them commercially, so there is time for the fuel to absorb water.
Failure rate in those engines (fuel systems) is increased by the presence of ethanol unless the ethanol is treated with a stabilizer, or non ethanol fuel is used. That has been my experience, the experience of my father (commercial fisherman up until last year), and others I know. Aside from expense, at least one person was put in a life threatening situation by the malfunction of a fuel system.
You might not see it, or you may parrot the industry line, but I'm going to believe both my experience and the experience of those I know.