Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Republicans on welfare

mlincoln
f subsidies were really designed to alleviate farmer poverty, then lawmakers could guarantee every full-time farmer an income of 185% of the federal poverty level ($38,203 for a family of four) for under $5 billion annually - one-fifth the current cost of farm subsidies.

Instead, federal farm policies specifically bypass family farmers. Subsidies are paid per acre, so the largest (and most profitable) agribusinesses automatically receive the biggest checks. Consequently, commercial farmers -- who report an average annual income of $200,000 and a net worth of nearly $2 million -- collect the majority of farm subsidies. Fortune 500 companies, celebrity "hobby farmers" and even some members of Congress collect millions of dollars under this program.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-riedl24jul24,0,3818350.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail
0

Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • Mossbergboogie
    Yeap and they get more encouragement to use more fertilizer and till more land. Greed comes at a high cost.
    0
  • MVP
    I don't get it?
    are farmers automatically republicans?
    0
  • spryor
    Yep, a crooked and screwy system, to say the least.
    0
  • dcon12
    quote:Originally posted by MVP
    I don't get it?
    are farmers automatically republicans?


    Yep. If it is so good to spend all of your money hoping to have a crop come in so you will have the money to repay the bank so they will lend you more money so you can do it all again, have at it. Otherwise, become a lawyer and make real money. Don
    0
  • MVP
    quote:Originally posted by dcon12
    quote:Originally posted by MVP
    I don't get it?
    are farmers automatically republicans?


    Yep. If it is so good to spend all of your money hoping to have a crop come in so you will have the money to repay the bank so they will lend you more money so you can do it all again, have at it. Otherwise, become a lawyer and make real money. Don

    So now you are trying to say all lawyers are Democrats?[:o)]
    0
  • Marc1301
    Was Oliver Wendell Douglas, a Republican too?
    Remember, he was a lawyer first![:D]
    0
  • dcon12
    quote:Originally posted by MVP
    quote:Originally posted by dcon12
    quote:Originally posted by MVP
    I don't get it?
    are farmers automatically republicans?


    Yep. If it is so good to spend all of your money hoping to have a crop come in so you will have the money to repay the bank so they will lend you more money so you can do it all again, have at it. Otherwise, become a lawyer and make real money. Don

    So now you are trying to say all lawyers are Democrats?[:o)]


    No, I said Lawyers are money grubbing half hitched Cowboys fans. I guess a Democrat ain't far off. Don
    0
  • JamesRK
    Yep, I think all agribusiness (farmers) should be forced into bankruptcy and we should all eat and wear the paper we push around and call production. Oh, never mind. Without farmers there won't be any paper.

    Would you be willing to be a full time farmer for $38,203 per year? Sure you would. [:D]
    0
  • tobefree
    quote:Originally posted by MVP
    I don't get it?
    are farmers automatically republicans?


    Yep all except one, but then, Jimmy Carter was out of his peanut picking mind!
    0
  • spasmcreek
    i have farmed all my life & i enjoy all your non agrarian based wisdom.....guess you all did as well in staffing washington d.c.
    0
  • A J Christ
    quote:Originally posted by mlincoln

    f subsidies were really designed to alleviate farmer poverty, then lawmakers could guarantee every full-time farmer an income of 185% of the federal poverty level ($38,203 for a family of four) for under $5 billion annually - one-fifth the current cost of farm subsidies.

    Instead, federal farm policies specifically bypass family farmers. Subsidies are paid per acre, so the largest (and most profitable) agribusinesses automatically receive the biggest checks. Consequently, commercial farmers -- who report an average annual income of $200,000 and a net worth of nearly $2 million -- collect the majority of farm subsidies. Fortune 500 companies, celebrity "hobby farmers" and even some members of Congress collect millions of dollars under this program.

    http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-riedl24jul24,0,3818350.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail



    Send these thoughts to your elected officials in DC. Bet you get a form letter in reply.

    Looks like we have the best government money can buy.
    0
  • dbain99
    If farming is so profitable with all these subsidies come get in the game! Or better yet lets bankrutp all American farmers and spend that money overseas and rely on them for our food supply, its working great in the foriegn oil business.
    0
  • cowdoc
    spasmcreek +1[:D]
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity