As with all issues, it is more complicated than first glance. Free Republic is the best. I am so appreciative of the imput we get here. That said, I do not support corn or sugar subsidies.
I love ethanol.
What I don’t love is government subsidies and mandates.
I think there should be exactly as much ethanol produced as the market will bear.
And I say this as someone who lives right in the heart of corn country.
Sure, a few people have done really well from this latest form of crony capitalism/state socialism.
But our entire farm economy has been built on shifting sand, on a short-sighted, selfish illusion.
It’s inflated land prices and the costs of inputs and equipment insanely. It’s priced out new farmers, and what new farmers there are are forced to farm rented ground. And of course cash rents are also wildly inflated.
So, we’re seeing the results of that this year. We just produced a record crop, by the grace of God. It was a nearly perfect growing season. Just the right amount of rain at exactly the right times. There have been yields superior to anything ever seen. But prices are so low that the guys paying cash rent are actually going in the hole.
The guys who already have theirs are going to make a little money this year. The landlords are going to do fine.
But the future is being squandered by government distortion of the markets.
And in the midst of overwhelming plenty, many will suffer great want, and even bankruptcy.
It’s a great perversion.
And it is also quite predictable.
In fact, some of us predicted it. I for one spelled it out quite clearly when I ran for governor last year. Few Iowans wanted to listen, of course....