Farm Subsidies Become Target Amid Spending Cuts

The New York Times ^ | May 6th, 2011 | Jennifer Steinhauer

[KantianBurke]

WASHINGTON — When it comes to spending cuts, members of Congress like to say that “everything is on the table.” Except, generally, food. But now federal farm subsidies, long decried by policy makers as wasteful and antiquated but protected by powerful political interests, appear to be in serious danger.

This week, Representative Paul D. Ryan, Republican of Wisconsin and the chairman of the House Budget Committee, told reporters, “We shouldn’t be giving corporate farms, these large agribusiness companies, subsidies. I strongly believe that.”

His budget proposal would take $30 billion out of the farm program over the next decade.

[KantianBurke]

Every time the issue of farm subsidies is raised I'm instantly reminded of Dubya's inital betrayal of small government conservatives with his signing of the 2002 farm bill. Obliterated the gains that were made to reduce farm subsidies from the FAIR act all the while plowing billions of taxpayer goodies to "farmers."

[lurk]

The reduction or elimination of subsidies might be disruptive in the short run, but the Constitution doesn’t provide for them. Time to let the farm industry go it alone.

Bottom line, if it’s a good idea, it can stand on its own and doesn’t need a crutch from Uncle Sam. This includes ethanol.

[hinckley buzzard]

Yup. Most valuable piece of real estate in the world--the square foot at the bottom of an Iowa farmer's mailbox.

[Christian Engineer Mass]

I agree.

But, I can see why, say Japan subsidises it’s own rice by banning imports.

They want to be self-sufficient for rice. Smart move.

Some time over the next 100 years they’ll be glad they have their own food supply.

[Lurker]

Good. There’s no Constitutional authorization for these subsidies.

[pnh102]

It is about time.

[Dapper 26]

I agree with the removal of farm subsidies if we also remove government rules and regulations on farmers. Let the farmers raise and sell what they want to whoever will pay them the most.

[maine-iac7]

There are even politians who bought farm land to collect ‘subsidies’ - even though they never planted anything.

these subsidies put a lot of small farmers out of business. The money goes to the big conglomerates -

Time for them to go

[griswold3]

yes, but, during harry and nancy’s reign, dubya did try to eliminate ridiculous farm subsidies for places like Mahattan. When he did try to reason with Congress, he was vilified more.
Nothing he could propose would have been a winning issue. he was a lame duck from the start.

[Taxman]

While they are at it, Congress should and must eliminate the ethanol subsidy immediately.

That will save us poor suffering taxpayers about $6 Billion!

[KantianBurke]

Sorry but this isn’t a “Daily Dose” thread. In 02 Bush inflated the farm subsidy system and betrayed small government conservatives - the first of many times.

[From The Deer Stand]

Google the “EWG” farm subsidy database and see what your friends and neighbors get in farm subsidies. You’ll be amazed.

[af_vet_rr]

The reduction or elimination of subsidies might be disruptive in the short run,

It would be disruptive in the short run if it happened, but it's not going to happen. The farm lobby has Congress bought and paid for.

[sheana]

Well.....$30 billion per a decade? Please, that’s nothing. Is there a Republican anywhere with huevos?

[Mariner]

If it was up to me I would cut them off tomorrow.

However, fair political compromise is a 25% reduction every year for 4 years.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I criticized Ryan on another thread when he drank the koolaid about agreeing to eliminate oil subsidies. But if he makes the case that ALL subsidies should be eliminated, then more power to him.

Gov't subsidies and mandates are the reason why we're in the mess that we're in now. Let the market work on its own, and let people fail so they can learn from their mistakes and become better.

[prairiebreeze]

There are times when “government payments” have helped keep entire communities from folding, in instances of multi-year drought for example. When the farmers can’t make ends meet, it doesn’t take long for the tire dealers, machine repair shops and cafe’s to follow suit.

I’m not saying that the programs don’t need to be scrutinized and reviewed, but I have personal experience with the payments along with crop insurance being the difference between scraping by and quite possibly losing the place when there were poor crops for several years in a row. Huge areas of the countryside were in the exact same boat. There are appropriate applications for government farm assistance.

[prairiebreeze]

I meant to also add that this experience was in the last 5-10 years.

[af_vet_rr]

Well.....$30 billion per a decade? Please, that’s nothing. Is there a Republican anywhere with huevos?

If we take the attitude that such amounts are "nothing", then we'll never get anywhere near to getting the government and Congress under control, because you can break down everything into "nothing" amounts.

As for the second part of your statement, too many Republicans in Congress have sold themselves to the highest bidders. All we have is our votes, but they know they can scare us into voting for the incumbents just about every time.

[Munz]

Do away with the subsidies, but they have to allow the farmers to make a buck as well.
Remember, they passed a but load of legislation from the FDA regarding food. recently they arrested some Amish farmer for selling milk.

So dump the regulations. Allow these people to work and sell what they produce!