Dairy gets squeezed by the feds

The Seattle Times ^ | 1 June, 2005 | Danny Westneat

[Radigan]

In its 85 years of existence, Smith Brothers Dairy in Kent has survived all manner of misfortune and mistakes.

There was the Depression, when milk sales plummeted. There were cow-killing floods. There were modern times, when it appeared the old-fashioned idea of fresh milk delivered to the doorstep had died.

And there was the crackdown when society realized cow manure could be as toxic to fish as anything produced at a nuclear plant.

"None of that compares to this," says Alexis Smith Koester, 60, dairy president and granddaughter of the founder, Ben Smith. "This is the biggest threat we've ever faced."

She's talking about the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed new rules that could force Smith Brothers to either give up half its business or close up shop entirely, Koester says.

What are the feds trying to stop? They're trying to keep Smith Brothers Dairy from selling its milk for less.

And we call this a capitalist country.

The dairy, which is small enough that the president answered the phone when I called, is being punished for doing too much too well.

For 75 years, milk has been heavily regulated by price and marketing controls.

People who know more about it than I do say the system works well. It protects those who own only one part of the milk business — say, a farmer with cows but no milk-processing plant — from being gouged by big agribusinesses.

But Smith Brothers has always been exempt from these regulations because it is so independent. It does it all. It is one of only 11 dairies left in the Northwest that raise and milk the cows as well as pasteurize and bottle the milk.

Its business model is so antiquated that most dairies like it long since went under.

Smith Brothers survived by discovering that what was old is new again. Home delivery of milk is hot. Especially if people know who owns the cows so there's a guarantee no growth hormones were used.

Remarkably, Smith Brothers now delivers milk to 40,000 homes in and around Seattle, the most in its history. And it is so efficient it does so at the same or lower prices you get in many stores.

Yet the feds, backed by the biggest dairy processors in the West, want to force Smith Brothers and other do-it-yourself dairies to sell through the government-regulated system. They say this will help the small farmers who already sell milk to big processors.

But Smith Brothers, no milk monopoly with just 1 percent of the market, would have to pay subsidies to its competitors that exceed the dairy's yearly profit. Or it would have to break up its business, and no longer provide its unique cow-to-carton-to-doorstep service.

So what we have is the government, prodded by large corporations, saying it is helping small family farms by destroying one of our most successful small family farms.

Come to think of it, I guess that is American-style capitalism after all.

Danny Westneat's column appears Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 206-464-2086 or dwestneat@seattletimes.com.

[Radigan]

Another example of the decline of freedom and being mugged by the government. Shouldn't be surprised anymore at stories like this. However, everytime I read one it angers me just as much. Would like to write our Washington State senators but that would be a futile effort as they are both confirmed socialists (democrats).

http://www.smithbrothersfarms.com/

[FreePaul]

A politician's primary job is to get reelected. His secondary job, which is necessary to perform job one, is to reward his friends and punish the enemies of his friends.
In this case : friend = major financial contributors.

[FreePaul]

A politician's primary job is to get reelected. His secondary job, which is necessary to perform job one, is to reward his friends and punish the enemies of his friends.
In this case : friend = major financial contributors.

[Red Badger]

I've always wondered, why a gallon of milk costs more than a gallon of gasoline. The oil comes form the other side of the planet, whereas the cow is standing in a pasture down the road. The oil is refined in a highly dangerous and technical operation whereas milk is just pasturized and homogenized, but its still milk.............

[steenkeenbadges]

The following was told to me by an old timer named Travis:

"The dairy "industry" has been up to this kind of dirty trick for decades. When margarine first came out, it was the dairy industry that forced the makers of margarine to separate the fat from the food coloring. They forced customers (there were no "consumers" yet) to hand-mix the food coloring into the white fat portion. Just to humiliate and denigrate margarine makers and create a "better" image for butter.

[eastforker]

Do you have any idea whatsoever what it takes to feed and maintain a dairy cow? No, I didn't think so.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

"Yet the feds, backed by the biggest dairy processors in the West, want to force Smith Brothers and other do-it-yourself dairies to sell through the government-regulated system."

First, keep in mind all the loafers that want to suckle at the government sow's teat--the USDA Food Stamp program REALLY has helped them over the years (yes, there are people who NEED staples but the Food Stamp program for decades let them purchase non-BBQ convenience foods like TV dinners--and LUXURY items like lobster tails, I'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN.)

Meanwhile, these smart, hard-working entrepreneurs create a racehorse of a business and the gummit wants to turn it into an ox to plow in the USDA harness. Health and safety are important, but with 40,000 customers (apparently happy and healthy!) there is no AMERICAN reason for the Orwellian Ministry of Farm Bureaucracy to cr@p in their water trough.

I'm a man but if this was my business this would put my tit in a wringer too! USDA has long been WAY too big for its britches and it's time to rein them in.


BTW don't let any slight humor in this post detract from the RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION and call for action.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

Simple solution - Shut down all the North American dairy farms and only allow the sale of dairy products imported from China or India. Do it for the sake of the children.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Would like to write our Washington State senators but that would be a futile effort as they are both confirmed socialists

They're ALL socialists. They just call themselves by different names, but it's still the same God-forsaken religion of Socialism.

Cows & Politics Explained

A CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT: You have two cows. You keep one and give one to your neighbor.
A SOCIALIST: You have two cows. The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.
AN AMERICAN REPUBLICAN: You have two cows. Your neighbor has none. So what?
AN AMERICAN DEMOCRAT: You have two cows. Your neighbor has none. You feel guilty for being successful. You vote people into office who tax your cows, forcing you to sell one to raise money to pay the tax. The people you voted for then take the tax money and buy a cow and give it to your neighbor. You feel righteous.
A COMMUNIST: You have two cows. The government seizes both and provides you with milk.
A FASCIST: You have two cows. The government seizes both and sells you the milk. You join the underground and start a campaign of sabotage.
DEMOCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE: You have two cows. The government taxes you to the point you have to sell both to support a man in a foreign country who has only one cow, which was a gift from your government.
CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE: You have two cows. You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows.
BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE: You have two cows. The government takes them both, shoots one, milks the other, pays you for the milk, then pours the milk down the drain.
AN AMERICAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when the cow drops dead.
A FRENCH CORPORATION: You have two cows. You go on strike because you want three cows.
A JAPANESE CORPORATION: You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create clever cow cartoon images called Cowkimon and market them World-Wide.
A GERMAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You reengineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.
A BRITISH CORPORATION: You have two cows. They are mad. They die. Pass the shepherd's pie, please.
AN ITALIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You break for lunch.
A RUSSIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 12 cows. You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.
A SWISS CORPORATION: You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you. You charge others for storing them.
A BRAZILIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You enter into a partnership with an American corporation. Soon you have 1000 cows and the American corporation declares bankruptcy.
AN INDIAN CORPORATION: You have two cows. You worship both of them.
A CHINESE CORPORATION: You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim full employment, high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who reported on them.
AN ISRAELI CORPORATION: There are these two Jewish cows, right? They open a milk factory, an ice cream store, and then sell the movie rights. They send their calves to Harvard to become doctors. So, who needs people?
AN ARKANSAS CORPORATION: You have two cows. That one on the left is kinda cute.
A MEXICAN RANCH: You have a herd of 500 cows. 495 have foot "in" mouth disease, just like the President of Mexico.

[old-ager]

http://www.smithbrothersfarms.com/

[Red Badger]

As a matter of fact, I do. I was raised on a farm. My mother and aunts and uncles all had dairy cows or worked for dairys. I used to hitch rides to town on the milk truck that picked up the cans from the local farms and delivered them to the dairy. I find the smell of dairys to bring back memories rather than make me roll up the window as I drice by. The whole purpose of my post was to get the ball rolling and apparently you picked it up and ran with it...........

[Paul C. Jesup]

Since the socialist writer of this article falled to admit the exact reason this milk company is going to go bankrupt, I take it probably going to go bankrupt because it will no longer get any more taxpayer subsidies.

If that is the case, I how no problem with this so-called business being plowed under.

[eastforker]

Most do not have a clue. There are so many facets they would be way to many to mention. The profit margin just isn't that high that is why it takes a such high volume to make it profitable.

[IrishCatholic]

bookmark for later printing

[Dog Gone]

How many miles of solid cow do you have to drill through to find milk?

[edcoil]

Here in california we have a milk board the decides on mile prices. We cannot import milk as e have laws that require we put non-fat milk into milk that no other state has. Like our gas, we can export but cannot input either gas or milk.

If you look in the dictionary and define fascism, socialism, capitalism and look at all the government control over private industry - what would you you choose that the USA has become?

My guess is you would agree with Ben Franklin when he warned us this would happen.

[Radigan]

Thank you... I needed this this morning.

[eastforker]

without taxpayer subsidies one of two things will happen, one the free market will cause the escalation of food prices to soar uncontrolably or two, we would jepordise the nations food supply and would have to depend on imports that we have no control over.Go to the grocery store and compare organic grown vegetables, mostly grown here to the others that are mostly imported. The American farmer is subsidised to protect and insure our food supply is never interupted.

[Paul C. Jesup]

without taxpayer subsidies one of two things will happen, one the free market will cause the escalation of food prices to soar uncontrolably or two, we would jepordise the nations food supply and would have to depend on imports that we have no control over.

LOL!! You remind me of the chicken little socialists who say without Social Security, most seniors will be eating dogfood.

I didn't buy their arguement, and I don't buy your arguement.

[eastforker]

How long do you have to feed a calf after being weened from the cow before it is old enough to breed to start the milk making process, not to mention having to feed the cow before she weens the calf, oh and lets not forget about feeding the bull to get the calves. Lets see 2 -3 gallons of milk per milking twice a day then seperate the fat, the cost of refrigeration. The list goes on and on. The cost of oil today is because it is not subsidised and the free open market dictates the price. I don't think we need to do that with our food.

[Jason_b]

bump

[eastforker]

As a matter of fact many would starve, understand not all people have the incentive or the ability to plan their future, that why we have jobs that pay min. wage. With your way of thinking every one should make the same wages so every one could afford what they need.There are many that would like to take their SS donations and put it into their own retirement plan. There are others with no self confidence to do so. Thats what makes this country so great, you can excel if you want to or you can live a mediocre existence depending on what someone will pay you.

[goodnesswins]

Hey....I just looked at your profile page.....did you move to King County already? Have you figured out which is MORE liberal, Bellingham or King County.....

Thanks for posting this.....I'm a 3rd generation native of King County (well, took 12 years off, in Oregon)....and LOVE the Smith Brothers Milk Trucks I still see running around.....the Valley is fast becoming CEMENTED for the future, but Smith Farms still survives....and smells...LOL.

[Paul C. Jesup]

As a matter of fact many would starve, understand not all people have the incentive or the ability to plan their future, that why we have jobs that pay min.

I have incentive and ability, but because of the socialism you support, I am going to be paying off YOUR debts until I am in the grave, I have no bright future because of you and the socialism you push.

So I say better them (including you) to starve, than me.

It is you who should reap what you have sowed, NOT me.

[cyborg]

amen brother!

[eastforker]

Let me put it in simple terms for you, when imported oil was cheap, drilling in this country was almost zilch. Why, decause the cost to drill was as much as the return. Now that oil is at an all time high every drilling rig in this country is drilling for oil. Not a problem the rigs when not being used are stored and used when it becomes advantageous to use them. Now, if the farmer was not subsidised and it was a free market and we allowed cheap imports of food, the farmer would soon go out of business since there would be little or no profit. No problem you say, well five years later because of disaster war or other reasons the imports stop, you cant just pull cows, pigs, farm equipment out of storage and start farming. It would take years to get our food supply up to where it would need to be. This is not a socialist idea, it is a security issue and our survival as a country could depend on it.

[Radigan]

Please enlighten us....what is the exact reason this milk company is going bankrupt?

[eastforker]

Sorry about the typo's, spell check is my friend, I know.

[jimt]

...what would you you choose that the USA has become?

One that you didn't list - MERCANTILISM.

Adam Smith defined it in "Wealth of Nations" inn 1776. Basically it's government manipulated by the fat cats for the benefit of the fat cats, while purportedly "free" and "democratic".

[Former Proud Canadian]

Cows bump

[Paul C. Jesup]

Let me put it in simple terms for you, when imported oil was cheap, drilling in this country was almost zilch.

No, the real reason we don't drill for oil is the envio-nuts in the EPA and Congress won't let us.

The price arguement is just propaganda.

[TrailofTears]

Unfortunately the feds fought and won this battle back in the 1890's concerning interstate commerce and farming. They don't have a ghost of a chance beating the govt on this one.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Please enlighten us....what is the exact reason this milk company is going bankrupt?

I don't know and I pointed out the author of the article did not include the reason. But the dairy industry gets taxpayer subsidies, so I stated that was a possiblity.

[eastforker]

No, like I said every drilling rig in this country is working, pipe movements is at an all time high. If you do not believe me google the nation current rig count. Being involved in the oil industry in the past I keep up with these things. Think what would happen to the price of oil and the supply of it if all imports was cut off. It would be a catastrophe. For one there are not enough rigs available to drill and even if we did there wouldn't be enough pipe because we have depended on imports for our supply. We can never let our domestic food supply diminish to the point that we could be in peril.

[Paul C. Jesup]

No, like I said every drilling rig in this country is working, pipe movements is at an all time high.

So are you saying it is cheaper to drill out in the middle of the ocean, two miles underwater and another mile into the bedrock, than to drill for oil in the U.S. mainland?

And I know for a FACT this is oil in parts of the U.S. that a LOT closer than Alaska, like the state of Georgia which has test wells from the 1950's and Utah: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1388012/posts

[eastforker]

FYI


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May 28, 2005, 9:04PM

Rig Count

Rigs drilling 5/27 5/20 Year ago
Texas 599 591 501
Alaska 9 8 8
California 23 27 21
Kansas 6 6 6
Louisiana 181 177 160
New Mexico 81 83 66
Oklahoma 151 149 163
Wyoming 71 71 72
U.S. total 1,331 1,315 1,169
Canada 271 267 195



Source: Baker Hughes



U.S. Gas 1,111 1,124 985
U.S. Horizontal 159 163 116



Source: Smith International



Rigs under contract
U.S. Gulf 131 131 116



Rigs under contract
Source: ODS-Petrodata

[eastforker]

FYI


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Pick a section Home Page Business Classifieds Columnists Comics Community Directory Entertainment Features Health Help Inside Story Marketplace Metropolitan Page 1 News Search Archives Site Map Space Sports Travel Weather
Section: Energy
Section: Business

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Current stories in Business:

Overturned Andersen verdict too late, but still ...
Andersen document shredding conviction overturned
Steffy: It might be useful to remember reasons behind original verdict
Enron Internet judge asked to throw out charges
Insurance rates may drop for 1 of 6 homeowners
Government investigates stalling by Prius engines
Texans can get free credit reports starting today
Online shoppers clueless about 'customized pricing'
CAFTA passage is a top presidential goal
Analyst says profit likely at Continental Airlines
Amendment might limit realty discount
Crane safety repeal slipped into homeland security bill
Former Russian oil tycoon receives 9 years
Biotech losses reach $45 billion
Eat your way to success by learning manners
Insurer restates results
United deal with union heads off a showdown
Ford gallops to horses' rescue
Rates on college loans set for record increase July 1
Federal pension rules criticized
Moneymakers: Marc Morial
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May 28, 2005, 9:04PM

Rig Count

Rigs drilling 5/27 5/20 Year ago
Texas 599 591 501
Alaska 9 8 8
California 23 27 21
Kansas 6 6 6
Louisiana 181 177 160
New Mexico 81 83 66
Oklahoma 151 149 163
Wyoming 71 71 72
U.S. total 1,331 1,315 1,169
Canada 271 267 195



Source: Baker Hughes



U.S. Gas 1,111 1,124 985
U.S. Horizontal 159 163 116



Source: Smith International



Rigs under contract
U.S. Gulf 131 131 116



Rigs under contract
Source: ODS-Petrodata

[Paul C. Jesup]

Footnotes without facts it questionable at best. Now either answer my question, or admit you are wrong by staying silent.

[eastforker]

Sorry about the double post.

[Safetgiver]

But Smith Brothers, no milk monopoly with just 1 percent of the market, would have to pay subsidies to its competitors that exceed the dairy's yearly profit.......It's there in the article.

[fella]

What party was in charge when these rules to help the little famers were put in place?

[eastforker]

I am not being silent, you can see the rig count is up from last year and last week. shall I get a rig count for you from say 4 years ago so you can compare?

[Paul C. Jesup]

But Smith Brothers, no milk monopoly with just 1 percent of the market, would have to pay subsidies to its competitors that exceed the dairy's yearly profit.......It's there in the article.

This doesn't pass them smell test, a good lawyer could beat this in court.

[Paul C. Jesup]

them = the

[Paul C. Jesup]

Youy believe a ocean based oil rig is cheaper than a land based oil rig. You are showing everyone here how nutty you really are.

[eastforker]

2001 rig countBaker Hughes Incorporated (ticker: BHI, exchange: New York Stock Exchange (.N)) News Release - 7-Jun-2001

---

Baker Hughes Announces May 2001 Rig Counts

HOUSTON, Jun 7, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

International Rig Count up 1% from April 2001; Up 20% from 1 year ago;
Worldwide Rig Count up 3% from April 2001; Up 34% from 1 year ago

Baker Hughes Incorporated (NYSE:BHI)(PCX:BHI)(EBS:BHI) announced today that the international rig count for May 2001 was 752, up 10 from the 742 counted in April 2001 and up 125 from the 627 counted in May 2000. The international offshore rig count for May 2001 was 230, up 11 from the 219 counted in April 2001 and up 64 from the 166 counted in May 2000.
The US rig count for May 2001 was 1,234 up 28 from the 1,206 counted in April 2001 and up 389 from the 845 counted in May 2000. The Canadian rig count for May 2001 was 238 up 21 from the 217 counted in April 2001 and up 49 from the 189 counted in May 2000.

The worldwide rig count for May 2001 was 2,224 up 59 from the 2,165 counted in April 2001 and up 563 from the 1,661 counted in May 2000.



May 2001 Rotary Rig Counts

May 2001 April 2001 May 2000

---

---

---

Land OS Total Var Land OS Total Land OS Total

---

Europe 37 61 98 9 39 50 89 38 38 76
Middle East 145 29 174 5 141 28 169 135 21 156
Africa 31 24 55 (5) 32 28 60 25 21 46
Latin America 219 49 268 (2) 218 52 270 182 33 215
Asia Pacific 90 67 157 3 93 61 154 81 53 134
International 522 230 752 10 523 219 742 461 166 627
US 1,064 170 1,234 28 1,037 169 1,206 707 138 845
Canada 235 3 238 21 211 6 217 185 4 189
N. America 1,299 173 1,472 49 1,248 175 1,423 892 142 1,034

---

Worldwide 1,821 403 2,224 59 1,771 394 2,165 1,353 308 1,661

---

May 2001 Workover Rig Counts

May 2001 Var. April 2001 May 2000

---

US 1,267 51 1,216 1,041
Canada 290 25 265 279

---

North America 1,557 76 1,481 1,320

---

About the Baker Hughes Rig Counts

The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig Counts are counts of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the United States, Canada and international markets. Baker Hughes has issued the rotary rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of US and Canadian drilling activity. Hughes initiated the monthly international rig count in 1975. In 1987 the Baker Oil Tools began its monthly workover rig count.
North American rig count data is scheduled to be released at noon central time on the last working day of each week. The international rig count and North American workover rig counts are scheduled to be released on the 5th working day of the month. Additional detailed information on the Baker Hughes rig counts are available from our Web site at http://www.bakerhughes.com/investor/rig.

Baker Hughes is a leading provider of drilling, formation evaluation, completion and production products and services to the worldwide oil and gas industry.



NOT INTENDED FOR BENEFICIAL HOLDERS

CONTACT: Baker Hughes Incorporated, Houston
Gary R. Flaharty, 713/439-8039
gary.flaharty@bakerhughes.com
or
Kyle J. Leak, 713/439-8042
kyle.leak@bakerhughes.com

[eastforker]

2005 rig count

[eastforker]

Baker Hughes Incorporated (ticker: BHI, exchange: New York Stock Exchange (.N)) News Release - 7-Apr-2005

---

Baker Hughes Announces March 2005 Rig Counts

International Rig Count Up 2% From February 2005; Up 12% From One Year Ago Worldwide Rig Count Down 5% From February 2005; Up 9% From One Year Ago
HOUSTON, April 7, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Baker Hughes Incorporated (NYSE: BHI) announced today that the international rig count for March 2005 was 891, up 15 from the 876 counted in February 2005, and up 92 from the 799 counted in March 2004. The international offshore rig count for March 2005 was 254, up 1 from the 253 counted in February 2005 and up 18 from the 236 counted in March 2004.

The US rig count for March 2005 was 1,306, up 30 from the 1,276 counted in February 2005 and up 170 from the 1,136 counted in March 2004. The Canadian rig count for March 2005 was 420, down 173 from the 593 counted in February 2005 and down 42 from the 462 counted in March 2004.

The worldwide rig count for March 2005 was 2,617, down 128 from the 2,745 counted in February 2005 and up 220 from the 2,397 counted in March 2004.

March 2005 Rotary Rig Counts

March 2005 February 2005 March 2004

---

---

---

Land OS Total Var. Land OS Total Land OS Total

---

Europe 25 46 71 17 24 30 54 31 48 79
Middle East 213 33 246 14 204 28 232 186 32 218
Africa 37 14 51 -2 36 17 53 30 11 41
Latin America 256 58 314 -3 249 68 317 210 68 278
Asia Pacific 106 103 209 -11 110 110 220 106 77 183
International 637 254 891 15 623 253 876 563 236 799
United
States 1,210 96 1,306 30 1,172 104 1,276 1,042 94 1,136
Canada 418 2 420 -173 590 3 593 458 4 462
North America 1,628 98 1,726 -143 1,762 107 1,869 1,500 98 1,598

---

Worldwide 2,265 352 2,617 -128 2,385 360 2,745 2,063 334 2,397

---

March 2005 Workover Rig Counts

March 2005 Var. February 2005 March 2004

---

United States 1,259 -2 1,261 1,238
Canada 718 -102 820 449

---

North America 1,977 -104 2,081 1,687

---

About the Baker Hughes Rig Counts

The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig Counts are counts of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the United States, Canada and international markets. Baker Hughes has issued the rotary rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of US and Canadian drilling activity. Hughes initiated the monthly international rig count in 1975. In 1987, Baker Oil Tools began its monthly workover rig count.

North American rig count data is scheduled to be released at noon central time on the last working day of each week. The international rig count and North American workover rig counts are scheduled to be released on the 5th working day of the month. Additional detailed information on the Baker Hughes rig counts is available from our website at http://www.bakerhughes.com/investor/rig .

Baker Hughes is a leading provider of drilling, formation evaluation, completion and production products and services to the worldwide oil and gas industry.

NOT INTENDED FOR BENEFICIAL HOLDERS

Contacts:
Gary R. Flaharty (713) 439-8039
H. Gene Shiels (713) 439-8822

SOURCE Baker Hughes Incorporated

[Moonman62]

The cost of oil today is because it is not subsidised and the free open market dictates the price.

In the long run that's true and the price has gone down over time. However, in the short run, oil, since so much is imported, is subject to manipulation of the foreign exchange rate of the dollar, which for the most part is controlled by the White House. The government is everywhere. See my tag line.

[CDHart]

I am financial manager for a rural 60-bed skilled nursing facility. Medicaid pays us less per day than what it costs to care for people, so we rely on private pay residents and county taxes for the rest. A recent federal regulation thought up by some idiot bureaucrat requires us to install a sprinkler system for any OUTSIDE area that is roofed and is within 48" of the building wall.

In order to comply (a word I hate), we had to spend $7,000 to hook up the front porch as part of the existing sprinkler system.

How much good could we have done for our residents with that $7,000? Instead it went to comply with a reg thought up by someone who was trying to justify his bureaucratic position, IMO.

Carolyn