Farm Subsidies for Millionaires

[eldermike]

To be sure, some family farmers continue to struggle. But if farm subsidies were really about alleviating farmer poverty, then lawmakers could guarantee every full-time farmer an income of 185 percent of the federal level ($38,203 for a family of four) for under $5 billion annually — one-fifth the current cost of farm subsidies.

This is the sad/funny part, depending on how you look at things.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,289271,00.html

 

[horuhe00]

Oh well...

 

[KerrMetric]

Not exactly news that the American farmer has about the most inefficient industry in the country. It's been this way for decades. People whine about government handouts to other industries (and tell those workers to get more efficient and compete better) whilst writing near enough blank cheques to the farmers. Do all farmers have it easy - no. Are farmers lazy - no. Is farming as a whole an inefficient mess of an industry that but for public handouts would long ago have folded or gotten more efficient - yes.

 

[eldermike]

Not exactly news that the American farmer has about the most inefficient industry in the country. It's been this way for decades. People whine about government handouts to other industries (and tell those workers to get more efficient and compete better) whilst writing near enough blank cheques to the farmers. Do all farmers have it easy - no. Are farmers lazy - no. Is farming as a whole an inefficient mess of an industry that but for public handouts would long ago have folded or gotten more efficient - yes.

Yes, I agree. That is the nature of handouts in general.

 

[Billnew]

Do all farmers have it easy - no. Are farmers lazy - no. Is farming as a whole an inefficient mess of an industry that but for public handouts would long ago have folded or gotten more efficient - yes.

When farming folds, the price of food will go up drastically.
It is very hard for the small time farmer, even big industry farmers have difficulty. Living with nature is tough, and very fickle.

I don't like unending handouts, but what can be done to help farmers long term?

I am from Arizona, irragation is mandatory. It amazes me that most farmers depend on rain exclusively for crops.

 

[shye]

Instead, small farmers are largely excluded from farm subsidies. Farm subsidy payments are based on acreage, so by definition, the largest agribusinesses get the largest subsidies. Consequently, commercial farmers — who report an average income of $200,000 and net worth of nearly $2 million — now collect the majority of farm subsidies. Most farm subsidy dollars go to millionaires.

what the heck this makes no sense. Why is it the people who have a lot of money and doesn't need help gets help? or does the government want to stop family farming all together?

 

[Dale]

It's hardly surprising that many of those who collect farm subsidies are millionaires, if the subsidy goes to an individual. Ever notice that it is those who own land who get subsidized, not farm laborers?

At least in some cases those collecting the subsidy are Americans. Years ago it was reported that some surprisingly large farm subsidies were going to foreign owned corporations. When your Congressman explains why he votes for farm subsidies, he will of course talk about the purity of the family farm.