“There are times when “government payments” have helped keep entire communities from folding”
You’re essentially arguing that US taxpayers should subsidize the lifestyles of others. Now how the hell is THAT constitutional, moral or fiscally fair???
Because farming is the riskiest business on the planet for one thing. How does one mitigate that risk from one year to year or decade to deace? Or do you relish the idea of entire communities, schools, business and jobs being destroyed? Do you enjoy boarded up ghost towns?
I don’t expect to change anybody’s mind here, there are too many who simply refuse to acknowlege that there are interests to the country and people’s bellies in keeping agriculture going. Even if it means helping them through the rough times...of which there are generally plenty.