Farmers Who Backed Bush Upset With Budget

AP ^ | Thu Feb 17, 2:59 AM ET | JOHN SEEWER

[paleocon patriarch]

TOLEDO, Ohio - Some farmers from battleground election states who campaigned and voted for President Bush (news - web sites) say they are not happy about proposed cuts in federal farm subsidies and other agriculture programs.

"We wouldn't call it a double-cross or anything like that, but I don't think this is going to sit real well," said Harold Bateson, whose family's grain farm covers 2,300 acres in northwest Ohio near Bowling Green.

The president has proposed an across-the-board cut of 5 percent for all farm payments and a reduction in the cap on individual subsidies to $250,000. The cuts would total $2.5 billion — more than reductions in health, housing and law enforcement.

Some farmers say they understand the need to balance the budget, but believe they have been burdened with an unfair portion of the budget reductions compared to other programs.

"It's kind of a slap in the face," said Neil Clark, an Ohio grain farmer who worked to gather support among farmers for Bush's campaign in Hancock County. ...

[paleocon patriarch]

Reminds me of Bloom County's OPUS when he said in order to be a successful farmer in this country you had to be able to say
"Get the Gubment off my back Where's my allottment check" in one breath!

[Blzbba]

suckers!!!!

[Darkwolf377]

Cut the budget! It's too big! Cut! Cut! Cut!

What?!?!?! You're cutting my subsidy?!?!?!?!

HRC in 2008!

[bayourod]

"Harold Bateson, whose family's grain farm covers 2,300 acres in northwest Ohio near Bowling Green. "

One man acre one vote.

[GOP_1900AD]

What a bunch of fair weather fans.

[stevio]

So much fat.

[Melas]

What?!?!?! You're cutting my subsidy?!?!?!?! HRC in 2008!

Don't laugh. This is exactly how the Democrats will get back in power. Tightening the belt can be painful sometimes.

[rhombus]

What a bunch of fair weather fans.

I bet they love Friedman's op-eds too.

[esoxmagnum]

Sure, then George Soros and Striesand can buy up all the desert and vote thousands of times.......

Not real bright.

[Plutarch]

Wow, the article didn't use the word plight. Yous see, subsidy habituated farmers are always in a state of plight, that can only be helped with a Government check.

[Darkwolf377]

I was being serious! :(

[JudgemAll]

Dont they get it? We need them to grow nukes, not cabage! Then again, with our antigun nut mentality which forces us into less good and into evil choices of heart, the real culprits are the lawyers who selectively enforce the law or defend certain legislations, not others, thus forcing people into legislative handout pools for protection.

[paleocon patriarch]

The president has proposed an across-the-board cut of 5 percent for all farm payments and a reduction in the cap on individual subsidies to $250,000

Watch 'em trot out some old dirt farmer eatin a can of alpo to garner sympathy.

[edcoil]

And why is it my job to pay them not to grow something?

If they don't get the income they want, like most Americans why do we owe them any thing.

[TheForceOfOne]

It depends on what farmers they're talking about the little guy or the big corporations, I believe it is the corporations and so we are talking about is reducing subsidy's for big corporations why is it a problem?

[Protagoras]

Welfare is bad, but not corporate welfare.

[The_Victor]

Don't laugh. This is exactly how the Democrats will get back in power. Tightening the belt can be painful sometimes.

I wouldn't worry too much. This response is one of fear of change. They'll realize once the reductions are in place, that they have two feet and are as capable as standing on them as the rest of us who receive no government subsidies.

[newgeezer]

Ya know, I'm plenty upset with his budget, too.

But, it's for exactly the OPPOSITE reason as these socialist farmers.

[drt1]

"Some farmers say they understand the need to balance the budget, but believe they have been burdened with an unfair portion of the budget reductions compared to other programs."

How about a 'Glass half full' approach? For years these subsidies have distorted markets and raised rices to consumers all for the benefit of the so-called 'Family Farmer'. IMO They have received a lot and it is finally time to cut, if not outright eliminate, these payments. Numerous other direct and indirect Gov't subsidies should also be axed and I look at this as a reasonable start, albeit one necessitated by the enormous deficits.

[paleocon patriarch]

I hope you aren't expecting me to defend any farm subsidy.

Cut 'em all and let the free market rule.