This is capitalism at it's best! Finally, an end to the socialist government-sponsored monopoly that the powerful cattle ranchers associations have been able to lobby into effect.
Wrong. This is outright welfare-state communism; "To each according to their needs, from each according to their abilities."
The land will now be leased for what it is worth, and the broken business models of the ranchers will no longer be subsidized by our tax dollars.
It is worth what you can grow on it; corn, cows, or million dollar estates. You can't eat million dollar estates.
Even better, the environmentalist groups will have to buy their influence directly in cold cash to the benefit of the people, rather than in lobbying dollars going to the rich.
Except for the few agribusinesses, the farmers and ranchers are cash-poor; their wealth is tied up in the land and equipment. And where do you thing the watermelon groups get their money? Hint: Look at the tax code sometime.
I only hope this example is followed in forestry, where now if you buy the rights to a section of forest, you MUST cut down the trees there. Let the environmental groups pay top dollar instead of spiking trees. They'll only be able to afford it for so long, since they make no money off of the land. Any maybe it'll empty the lobbying coffers.
Their coffers have become the bottomless pit of the government and charity largess 'cause it feels good and right.
But my greatest hope is that this marks the beginning of the end for our government's socialist farm and ranching subsidies.
This I can agree with; subsidies are killing all types of productive endeavors in this country.
How is putting the land out to the true highest bidder a welfare state, as opposed to keeping the bidding closed to a small group of people, and ensuring an undervalued sale to benefit those people?
"It is worth what you can grow on it; corn, cows, or million dollar estates. You can't eat million dollar estates. "
We already produce more corn, etc., than we can eat, bringing on the infamous subsidies. At least a mansion will produce tax revenue rather than costing the taxpayer money.
"Except for the few agribusinesses, the farmers and ranchers are cash-poor; their wealth is tied up in the land and equipment."
I hate to say this, especially at a time where I'm personally looking for another job due to losing this one, but if they are in a business that requires government subsidies (our tax dollars) and protection to survive, my sympathy level isn't really that high.
"Their coffers have become the bottomless pit of the government and charity largess 'cause it feels good and right. "
AFAIK, the the eco groups lobby just like everyone else. If they get any government money, it's through the same method the farmers get their money. It's a level, albeit corrupt, playing field. They do get charitable donations as farmers get profits.
You agree with killing subsidies, but you also desire for this particular one to continue? Ending subsidies is always painful, but it must be done.