Farmers to Nation: Gimme!
July 26, 2007
Today’s “you’re getting raped by politicians in Nebraska” comes to you from USAToday, regarding a new farm subsidy bill that is up for vote today:
The five-year, $286 billion spending plan has been shaped by a small group of vested interests, critics say. The measure would funnel subsidies to farmers even when crop prices are high, and it would continue a system that concentrates benefits among the largest and richest farmers.
I’m intentionally overlooking the “even when crop prices are high” – that’s just icing on the cake. The article points out that over 40% of previous subsidies have gone to districts in which the bill’s drafters reside. The bill’s drafters comprise approximately 10% of the House. If you think that’s a glaring inequality, check this out:
Farming, Fishing and Forestry combined employ less than one percent of the U.S. labor force. They will be the beneficiaries of the new farm bill, which will cost over $1,000 per adult over the next five years. Remember this the next time someone says, “Well, it’s only a few pennies…” It’s a hundred-fucking-thousand pennies! Show me someone who wouldn’t like an additional $1,000 and I’ll show you someone who is in desperate need of a kick to the junk. But I digress.
Remember this next April, when your tax return is a little leaner than you’d like – or god forbid – you have to send a check to make up a deficiency. All in order that some dead guy in Nebraska (seriously) can collect a million dollars in subsidies.
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