Farmers: Get a Job!

Future of Freedom Foundation ^ | February 2002 | Sheldon Richman

[B4Ranch]

I'm wondering where the anti-farmers are. Did I explain life too clearly for them?

[Straight Vermonter]

I think you are mistaken that these people are anti-farmer. They are actually anti-welfare. The computer hardware business is very up and down like the farm business. It has a lot of factors outside of their control, like foreign currency markets, economic trends and inventory loads. Much like weather, market prices, foreign competition effect farming.

I don't see anyone rushing forward to help those in the computer biz or those who sell to them. The small farmers, in VT its dairy farmers, no longer have a workable business model. The federal government offered them a way out in the 80s with the "Whole Herd Buyout". Many farmers took the buyout, waited the required number of years and are now back to dairy farming.

I respect that for these folks it is much more than a job, its a way of life, but that does not excuse them reaching into my pocket to pay for their way of life.

[doosee]

Well, when things get rough, and the supermarket shelves are sparce, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT come whining to my house asking to buy the prime meat (that I grew myself) out of my freezer.

I would bet your home made meat is super, but the question is: Are you growing that meat with taxpayer subsidies? If you are, you and Sam Donaldson have a lot in common.

[farmfriend]

I assume then, that when farmers have an especially good year, they return money to the treasury?

Yes, like all good citizens, they pay taxes and make purchases.

[lara]

I know. I just don't get it. Being anti-farmer is the same as being anti-American.

[MightyMouth]

Nope, I'm so cheap on phone calling that the phone companies probably hate me. Besides, I already know or have a good idea. Been in farming and ranching my whole life, and am not totally unacquainted with truckers. Thanks, though ... good post!

[pointsal]

Hey jack... it is the voters in two states that brought us Tom Daschle and those two woosey senators from Minnesota.... go look in the mirror.... The middle core of the USA makes for good sound bites but they don't have the gumption to vote beyond the wallet or the next USDA check!!

[clayn]

If you want the free market to dictate the farm economy, that's fine. However you must realize that it is going to cost you. You can either pay subsidaries in taxes, or pay higher prices for your food. America has the cheapest food for a reason. If you would rather use 30% of your pay check to feed yourself and your family, allow all subsidaries of the American farmer to stop.