[jrherreid]

Well, for example, while the price of goods such as cereal, bread and such has gone up along with inflation, the price of wheat per bushel hasn't changed (even with inflation) since the 1970's. The companies, rather than increase what they pay on, say wheat, have mostly just increased wages for their own workers. Which means that small farms really can't compete unless they are part of a cooperative (the big cooperative in Vermont that actually works pretty well is Cabot). And the cooperatives have a hard time competing with Canadian prices--Canadian farmers are fully subsidized by their government. But rather than try and buy US products, a lot of US food companies, naturally, go for the cheaper Canadian products. It's a complicated issue that can't just be blamed on the farmers--it's a whole rash of failed agricultural programs and a fair amount of royal screwings over by the industrial food producers.

[Sandy]

rather than try and buy US products, a lot of US food companies, naturally, go for the cheaper Canadian products

I don't understand this. If people are buying food from other countries because it's cheaper, then why would American farmers want American products to cost more rather than less? How do they intend to be competitive while offering more costly products?

[Hank Rearden]

You know, in most (read: all other) businesses, we have to learn how in the hell to do our jobs profitably - or we get the hell out. Simple as that.

So why not farmers? The rest of us are sick to death of welfare-farmers whining all the time. Run your damn business, or sell it to someone who can, period!

If you think you've got it so damn tough, try making a living in high tech, where your latest product goes obsolete in 9 months, the price you can charge goes down 20-30% every year and you can't stick excess inventory in some silo until things improve, because it'll be worthless this time next year.

Stop sucking on the taxpayer tit and let's see a real market function in farming too. Or go build your Soviet state someplace else.

Welfare farmer parasites make me sick.

[Rebelbase]

"price of goods such as cereal"

The price of cereal is a damn shame. Brand name stuff for $4.00+ box is ridiculous. Next to popcorn at the movies, cereal is probably the highest profit grain product out there.....wait, beer has to be in there somewhere also.

[eniapmot]

Where is the Cabot coop? I know the St. Albans coop, and I don't remember ever seeing any 300 lb loafers or layabouts hanging out there.