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To: JohnHuang2
But why should the government subsidize for weather issues? They don't subsidize other industries for weather related issues? Foreign subsidies exist for many other industries: just because they do it, why should we? I am not against farmers, but I think that in reality, the most efficent farming is large corporate farms, not small family farms. Less capital equipment per acre, less labor per labor, etc. IF we had no subsidies, we'd lose most family farms. But we'd have a streamlined, corporate farming sector.

As for the loss of the family farm? Well, no one makes cars in their garage anymore either, and only about 10 companies have 99% of the market share.

10 posted on 07/18/2002 10:13:58 AM PDT by Koblenz
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To: Koblenz; Carry_Okie; shaggy eel; JohnHuang2
Thanks John for this most excellent post.

Koblenz - You need to read this most excellent book on why we need people on the land, not corporations.

I sound like my name should be Bill or Ted, I'm having a most excellent adventure.

13 posted on 07/18/2002 10:57:45 AM PDT by farmfriend
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To: Koblenz
But why should the government subsidize for weather issues?

They shouldn't, but managing the land to support your urban existence is a valuable service that you don't pay for.

I am not against farmers, but I think that in reality, the most efficent farming is large corporate farms, not small family farms.

That might be true given production of a single good, however if we really considered the total expected actuarial benefit of family farms and paid for those services, they might outperform the corporatist with their ability to deliver a complex overlay of land management products and services. Corporate bureaucracy isn't so competitive dealing with that kind of complexity.

As for the loss of the family farm? Well, no one makes cars in their garage anymore either, and only about 10 companies have 99% of the market share.

And watch your freedom go down the toilet as they use that power to control the government to control the land to their benefit, or haven't you noticed? That's what most environmental regulations are all about.

When they export that agriculture overseas to unregulated economies elsewhere, what will be their power over you? Are you going to go to war to protect those supply lines? Do you care about pathogens or contaminants? If there is a disaster or war, where will you run? Who do you expect to care for you if your city was attacked? Do you expect the government to run out and confiscate that farm on your behalf?

You see, it's more complex than you realize, too complex for political resolution or management.

14 posted on 07/18/2002 11:11:32 AM PDT by Carry_Okie
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