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It seems to all boil down to "We don't like the way the government is giving us farmers your tax dollars. So give us more but in a different way."

To everyone here: what industry are you in? Does the government directly subsidize your industry (doesn't count contracts for goods and services the government wants)? Is the government going to spend billions on "technical assistance programs" to help auto mechanics as a whole fix cars "in harmony with the environment"? No, they'll just pass a regulation telling you not to dump your old oil. Farming seems to have a special place in everyone's hearts, and its put on a higher level than other businesses.

I really like "legislation that will allow the current generation of farmers to retire with dignity." Please, I'd like to retire with dignity now without having to worry about social security or how much is in my 401K -- give me the money!

This guy is talking about more and more subsidies. Subsidies cost us twice: once in taxes and again in higher prices at the grocery store. The only beneficiaries are a small number of farmers. As brityank said, This is outright welfare-state communism; "To each according to their needs, from each according to their abilities."

However, "easily pass on farm assets to the next generation without onerous financial burdens" is right. The estate tax on farmers is one of the worst things I've ever seen, making farmers incorporate just to shield their assets, and making it literally too expensive to die.

And get real everyone. Do you actually think a farm bill that is fair to small farmers will ever get passed anyway? ADM and ilk have far too much power in Congress, with most farming state Reps and Senators in their pockets.

Reply to post 13:

...what industry are you in? Does the government directly subsidize your industry (doesn't count contracts for goods and services the government wants)

No the Government does not subsidize my industry, per se. If we count the cost of maintaining a military presence and foreign aid to buy "peace" in the region, oil imported from the Middle east is worth some $200/barrel, domestic oil is worth only about $16 today. So any subsidies hurt the domestic oil exploration industry where I work. (Over half of US production is from independant producers--smaller oil companies, not "big" oil companies.)

Some might call this a subsidy, but the government is not subsidizing oil, it is subsidizing our national security, and our economic security.

Again, Food, shelter, clothing. Without secure sources, we are ripe for the picking.

It is not a subsity to lease land. There is no direct cost to any tax payer. I am a farmer that has no direct subsity, and I do not raise a commodity type crop. Most people never see the land nurturing we farmers do. we are just a buisness that many are jelous of because they think we have a wonderfull lifestyle. Well let me tell you this lifestyle damn near killed me with hard work. Farms and ranches do not live in a vacume. They and the towns around them only survive if the support buisnesses around them have many customers. This is not an issue of highest return for the land otherwise the government would be selling lake and riverfront property all over. it is about sustaining a diverse, usefull and productive country. To hell with the enviros getting their little piece to hold thier campouts and nature walks. they will kill the communities of rural America one place at a time