Sorghum for national security? [Why don't we subsidize the food we actually eat]

Ft Wayne Journal Gazette ^ | 11-7-05

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this Upper Midwest (WI, IA, MN, MI, and pretty much anyone else interested) list, largely rural and outdoors issues, please FR mail me. And ping me is you see articles of interest.

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If it’s in the national security interest to underwrite the production of farm products, it ought to be in the national interest to subsidize potatoes, chickens, OJ and even maple syrup...Based on everything the Bush administration was supposed to embrace, the end of agri-welfare should have been a slam dunk.

No, immigration should have been a slam dunk, the lobbyists represent non-Americans, but this was a close second.

[Arm_Bears]

From that opening line, you'd think the Bush Administration had originated the concept of buying votes with taxpayer money.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"There is nothing fair about the farm subsidy system in this country."

Proud to say that I've never taken dime-one for my small laying hen operation. I sell eggs year-round and raise laying hens in the spring to sell to other local farmers. I started small and will stay small because who wants to work more than they have to, just to give it back to the government? That's just wrong.

I married into a farming family a decade ago, and aside from some set-aside land that is a tree farm, FIL never took a dime, either.

He's in his 70's and if it wasn't raining, he'd be out harvesting soybeans right now. By himself. In the dark.

And you know what? Both of us like it that way. No strings attached, you know? ;)

[JustAnotherOkie]

Good!! I needs to puts dat on ma grits.

[ZOOKER]

Well, you could eat your share of what you paid to have excavated from under the city of Boston, but you probably wouldn't like it.

[FreedomCalls]

Here's the farm subsidy database.

Check out your neighbors and see how much they are getting. You WILL be surprised.

[Gondring]

This whole system was supposed to end. In 1996, led by Republicans, Congress passed a six-year bill that began to wean farmers off their welfare system. The 2002 bill was supposed to finish the process. Instead, the Republican Congress and the Republican White House flipped.

And the Bushbots cheer on...

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"The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money."  --Alexis de Tocqueville

[facedown]

...when Congress decided that paying women to stay home and raise their children cheated taxpayers.

As far as this tripe was worth reading.

[Lorianne]

They eat a sorghum porridge in Africa. I htink you have too cook it a good while.

[SJackson]

A few years ago, probably 2002 (?) when the huge bill passed I posted several articles on the subsidies. I'm guessing most folks don't care about the expense, even on FR. As I recall the #1 zip code in terms of receipts was in Lincoln Park, #2 in Manhattan. I never considered they're for the food we don't eat as well. My guess the government will never offer you money for producing eggs, or not producing eggs, unless you switch to ostrich or emu eggs, something no one but the government would expend money on.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Since most journalists don't know where money comes from or any other real-life phenomenon it doesn't surprise me that a reporter from the American "bread basket" would attack farm subsidies. The Environmental Working Group she cites is an organic gardening crusade.

[SJackson]

Since most journalists don't know where money comes from or any other real-life phenomenon it doesn't surprise me that a reporter from the American "bread basket" would attack farm subsidies. The Environmental Working Group she cites is an organic gardening crusade.

You're welcome to convince me that subsidies as they exist are a good thing. There may be a place for a limited role, but most of what I've seen isn't much different than welfare. Additionally, I'd be willing to consider subsidies to the "small" farmer as a way of encouraging land conservation, economic or not. Despite the fact that the "small" druggist or "small" haberdasher or "small" restaurateur don't receive subsidies in the interest of preserving small town America. But that's not where the money goes.

[SJackson]

BTW, this "bread basket" journalist appears to have lived in DC for decades. Don't the all :>)

[gcruse]

that a reporter from the American "bread basket" would attack farm subsidies

Does that make the reporter a class traitor or something?  "Hush yo mouf, chile!  You be rattin' out the scam."

[AdamsPapers]

I've eaten sorghum syrup on pancakes and waffles. It can also be used as a sweetener in breads. I actually prefer Sugar Cane syrup over sorghum, molasses, honey, or maple syrup (yuck). Cane syrup also reminds me of pouring thick rum over pancakes. My wife hates it all.....poor city girl, likes Aunt Jemimah (worse than maple syrup).

[Brad from Tennessee]

Subsidies as they exist are not the best. Neither is the food stamp program. But unlike haberdashers or restaurateurs, farms are a strategic asset as are the corporations--who also get subsidies and make-work contracts--that manufacture high performance aircraft. American agriculture is easy to take for granted because it's always been abundant.

[henderson field]

And now a word about the worst welfare program of all: government pensions.

[henderson field]

"...farms are a strategic asset ..."

I'll second that.

[Beagle8U]

Most of the corn and sorghum that is grown in used in animal feed, which in turn grows things we do eat.

Without the subsidies many of the smaller farms would be forced to sell their land to developers because they would go broke paying the property taxes.

I guess the farm welfare doesn't bother me as much as the other forms of welfare, after all, they DO go to work every day!