More about political prostitution in Iowa.

[Moses]

It's all about farm subsidies. Corporate welfare and pandering.



http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2007/11/24/primaries-iowa-and-farm-subsidies/

[Hugh R]

Farm subsidies annoy me a lot. With the last trade barrier to mexico falling for corn this week, its driving more small mexican farmers out of business and driving more of their workers to the US. Did you know that in most states you have to enter a coop, and if you decide to sell corn or avocados from your front doorstep the local ag commissioner can legally stop you. The US Department of Agriculture can also stop you under the interstate commerce clause and they have by arguing that your selling apples on your front step can ultimately interfere with the price of apples in another state. This is of course a little exaggerated, but not totally. Small and mid sized growers have been forced to join these coops.

[Moses]

The biggest boondoggle is water in California. Farmers use more than 80% of our water and they get it for FREE! Ancient land use agreements require that they only pay for the cost of delivery. Sometimes they sell their free water back to municipalities. That's right. Taxpayers give the farmers free water and they sell it back to us!

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Farm subsidies annoy me a lot. With the last trade barrier to mexico falling for corn this week, its driving more small mexican farmers out of business and driving more of their workers to the US. Did you know that in most states you have to enter a coop, and if you decide to sell corn or avocados from your front doorstep the local ag commissioner can legally stop you. The US Department of Agriculture can also stop you under the interstate commerce clause and they have by arguing that your selling apples on your front step can ultimately interfere with the price of apples in another state. This is of course a little exaggerated, but not totally. Small and mid sized growers have been forced to join these coops.

You are mostly correct Hugh. Our government's policy per farming really frustrates me.

Probably the one area (next to weapons) where no foreign nation can compete with the USA is food production. But instead of having a policy that exploits our strength and arguably the greatest necessity of mankind, the dip*****s in Washington actually pay USA growers to NOT produce crops. It's insane.

We should demand (starting Monday) that Japan, China, and every nation that floods our market with goods have a totally open policy per our farming products. Instead, if you go into a Sam's Club or many other large markets we are actually IMPORTING food products!

[The Gaijin]

We do export a lot of food. And a lot to China and Japan.

[scottmandue]

So are any of the current candidates advocating farm subsidies reform?

[wrecktech]

The interstate commerce clause is one of the biggest scams there is.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

So are any of the current candidates advocating farm subsidies reform?

Ron Paul

[Rick Lee]

Ever see the list of members of Congress who actually get farm subsidy checks themselves? Yes, even Chuck Grassley (R-IA) gets one. I am sure none of the folks in Congress support subsidies because of their own checkbooks. It's a relatively small amount of $$. But the gov't. sure does spread a lot of money around to farmers and in many cases to very wealthy ones.

I've seen a few bumper stickers around here that read "No Farmers No Food". WTF does that mean? Are farmers an endangered profession here?

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by The Gaijin

We do export a lot of food. And a lot to China and Japan.

Are you being serious? Surely you are aware of our imbalance of trade that will be around $800 BILLION for this year.

[MRM]

Not to cross threads, but John McCain gave a speech against ethanol subsidies in Iowa.

[jyl]

The man has more balls than any of his competitors, that's for sure.

Originally Posted by MRM

Not to cross threads, but John McCain gave a speech against ethanol subsidies in Iowa.

[john70t]

Not familiar with the situation, but farm subsidies do help to keep the land occupied-and not turned into McMansionville track housing. Look at the maps of California's central valley from 20 years ago and see the difference.

More people need more food, somethings gotta give.

[Seahawk]

Initial farms subsidies were meant to stabilize family farms, not the Archer, Daniel. Midlands of the world.

Since I have a small farm and tax time is coming up, I can tell you all that the spectrum of subsidies, tax breaks and state/federal programs is vast.

A few examples:

- Tobacco buy-outs. Had I grown tobacco in the past five years (I have not) I would have been eligible for payments to not grown tobacco and then received subsidies to switch to another crop.

- Land use. I am eligible to have the state of Maryland buy the development rights to my farm for fair market value with the stipulation that I cannot develop my farm for residential use for the next 20 years. Amazing.

- Soil conservation. Federal program. All I have to do is record efforts I already follow to help stem soil erosion!

- Fuel subsidies. You guys don't want to know what I pay for diesel...you'd be pissed.

- Drought relief. Since Maryland is eligible for drought relief, I could run a three year average on crop production and then receive payment for a portion of the delta from this years yield.

- Tax breaks. I do not pay taxes on any equipment meant for farm or stable use. I can also depreciate every tool, structure and implement used. As well, the cost of chemicals, seed, labor, transportation, etc. are tallied against profit. There is a bunch more, but you get the idea.

Since most of the federal and state subsidy/direct payment programs come with a fair amount of oversight, I don't participate. I do buy diesel at agri rate and do take advantage of those tax breaks I am legally entitled to.

There is soooo much more that would really underscore the insidious nature of government program gone wild.

[Moses]

Seahawk, do you pay for water in Maryland?

The free water in California enables ADM and other groups to do crazy things like grow lettuce and rice in the desert!

[Seahawk]

I'm on well water, so no...but let me see what I can do

Everything you have written about California and water is right on the mark. A good friend of mine grew up on a huge farm in the central valley. They were guaranteed a certain acre/foot of water per year and sold any excess they did not use. Amazing amounts of money.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I'm on well water, so no...but let me see what I can do

Everything you have written about California and water is right on the mark. A good friend of mine grew up on a huge farm in the central valley. They were guaranteed a certain acre/foot of water per year and sold any excess they did not use. Amazing amounts of money.

Yeah, I want that deal. The taxpayers give you free water then you sell it back to them. WTF?

[Dixie]

We do export a lot of food. And a lot to China and Japan.

In fact the U.S.A is a net IMPORTER of food. The see-saw tipped five or six years ago.