Farm subsidies have to go

Heritage Foundation ^ | Natty Boh

[Natty Boh]

I know it's an old report, but I can hardly find any discussion of this matter on these boards. Farm subsidies are the single biggest remaining example of socialist central planning in the US. And just what do we get for the $180 billion we are spending? Don't start the "no farm, no food" chant -- it's like "four legs good, two legs bad". The vast majority of farm subsidies go to rich individuals and corporations; subsidies do little to guarantee our food security. We could guarantee a minimum income to all farming families for a fraction of what we are currently spending and family farmers would be just as well off. Let the market set the price for food and end socialism in the Midwest!

[exnavy]

You got my vote.

[NonValueAdded]

I seem to recall that a hidden provision of the last farm bill or some other similar legislation made illegal the release of lists of recipients and the amounts of largess they received. Does anyone know if this provision actually made it into law?

[Rakkasan1]

have you ever seen that website where you can put an address
and find out how much they're getting in farm subsidies?
I wish I could remember it. I was surprised to see my old neighbor was the largest gomint welfare queen in the county.

[martin_fierro]

Ping.

[carlr]

let the market set the price of food

That is the problem,we have had a cheap food policy here since Roosevelt.

The gov.causes surpluses and low counter prices than has to pick the farmer up because he is paid low prices.

Like social security the gov never should have got into commodity pricing but deeply entangled in it now.

[DTogo]

I don't disagree.

[nightdriver]

"The vast majority of farm subsidies go to rich individuals and corporations...."

Bingo!

It's always been the case that the taxayer-funded subsidies only get handed out to the big agribusinesses almost exclusively. It would be a big help to the family farm if they were discontinued althgether. It would level the playing field a bit.

[Willie Green]

Development of modern agriculture methods and technologies enable farmers to be extremely productive. However, this has led to a situation where, when combined with favorable growing conditions, the harvest that they yield is TOO bountiful, driving the market price of their crops below the cost of production and forcing many farmers out of business. While this normal market "correction" will reduce supply for the following growing season, it will also lead to food shortages if coupled with adverse growing conditions.

Governments intervene in this natural "feast or famine" production cycle with crop subsidies to assure that the populace is provided with a stable and abundant food supply by preventing too many farmers from going out of business. It is an imperfect solution, but preferable to food shortages and famine.

[ScottM1968]

I agree, and I live in the middle of farm country.

[glock rocks]

bonk.

[untenured]

I wish I could remember it.

It's at The Environmental Working Group.

[k2blader]

Agreed, farm subsidies have to go.

[FreedomCalls]

Why don't we just abolish the Dept of Agriculture and roll it's functions up into another agency that would take in the Dept of Agriculture, the Dept of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Corps of Engineers, and all the rest similar activities?

New slogan: "Streamline, consolidate, and reduce."

[glock rocks]

Provocative first post. Welcome to Free Republic, Natty Boh.

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

It's never as simple as some people want others to believe -

Not all "family" farms are run by "rich" people -


Seems like a smack - everything else American has been destroyed or come under attack - why not include this -


just my thoughts -

[Pure Country]

Do you realize that in the agriculture community a small farmer might pay $12000 in school taxes while the guy in town pays maybe $900 and makes twice the income. It all averages out. The farmers are so burdened in our area that the schools are suffering. The farmers have hit their limit on funding the local school.

You get the funding of schools changed and then the farm subsidies would be no big deal. Really makes no difference to me about the junk public schools being in trouble as we homeschooled, but we still have to fund them anyway. Seally Rucks!

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

I'm sure Jimmah Carter, Peanut Farmer would be all for this...NOT. Peanut growers have a near-monopoly like few others do.

[Gabz]

New slogan: "Streamline, consolidate, and reduce."

Works for me.