Posted on 08/09/2010 7:59:11 AM PDT by gartrell bibberts
Agriculture subsidies have never made economic sense, but since the 1930s farmers have resisted reductions to subsidies, and they have generally held sway in Congress. While farmers represent a smaller share of the population today than in the 1930s, the farm lobby is as strong as ever. One reason is that farm-state legislators have co-opted the support of urban legislators, who seek increased subsidies in agriculture bills for programs such as food stamps. Legislators in favor of environmental subsidies have also been co-opted as supporters of farm bills. As a result, many legislators have an interest in increasing the USDA’s budget, but few come to the defense of taxpayers who foot the bills.
(Excerpt) Read more at downsizinggovernment.org ...
It’s all a big intertwined scam. Government is organized crime. The only way to fix it is to take the money out of it. With no money, they will have no power and they will be forced to leave us alone.
Farm subsidies of any sort should be completely illegal. Let a crop stand or fall on its own merits.
Yet if you read FR you’d be convinced the only things that the evil USDA subsidizes are ethanol and wind power.
And guess who’s been given another 2.5 billion to piddle away bring broadband to the cows and cornfields?
WTF is it with mohair?
Everytime I hear about farm subisdies I recall the chapter in PJ O’rouke’s book “Parliment of Whores”. He had some great thoughts about giving people money not to raise corn.
Basically WTF ? WTFF ?
A great read about his look at the federal govt.
This is still my favorite PJ quote though, I believe from the same book:
“Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.”
P. J. O’Rourke
I had my hair cut short this spring but I have mohair now.
Yes, it is, and it will never end. I thought perhaps that if some system could be devised where taxpayers in states with spendthrift senators would have to pay more in taxes than states with frugal senators, there might be an incentive to stop spending, but I doubt it. People are always looking for government to give them an advantage over others.
US farm policy also harms other countries. Foreign food aid destroys local farmers. It’s hard to compete with free! And instead of buying sugar from poor countries, we send them taxpayer money, to keep the US sugar growers happy. It also means US consumers pay more for sugar. Even though I don’t agree with folks who believe HFCS is of the devil, manufacturers use it because it became too costly to use sugar.
Do you feel a bit sheepish about your new look?
Aww you got my goat.
Lobbyists buying enough politicians to make it happen.
Because the Agriculture department is thoroughly corrupt. Fire all the employees, weld the doors shut. Eliminate the cabinet position.
have you considered suing your barber?
Exactly. Conagra and friends turn the money around and give some of it right back to the congresscritters through lobbyists, hiring family members, stock deals, etc.
I know, it was ba-aa-aad, wasn’t it?
Foodstamps were always an agricultural subsidy.
ping
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