They lobby to make a living where they can because they can't make a living off of growing food. Here is some information on the farm bill. Pay attention to page 6.
I read page 6. Mostly it says that farm subsidies aren't encouraging overproduction. I don't see how that is supposed to comfort me. That's like saying welfare isn't encouraging unemployed people to work too much.
Two-thirds of all farm subsidies go to large farms and wealthy agri-businesses, most of which earn more than $250,000 a year. Among the landed gentry on the agriculture dole: 14 members of Congress, 15 Fortune 500 companies, and celebrities such as Sam Donaldson and Ted Turner. These mega-corporations and multi-millionaires will rake in as much as 160 times the median annual farm subsidy of $935.
Farm subsides grew from $6 billion in 1996 to $30 billion in 2000. Advocates of the current farm bill say they're just trying to help struggling family farmers. But they could do that far more cheaply. Congress could guarantee every full-time farmer a minimum income of 185 percent of the federal poverty line ($32,652 for a family of four) for "only" $4 billion per year -- one-fifth the cost of direct subsidies in the new bill.
Most House members have at least one major crop in their district grown by farmers who vote, and control of the Senate (which over-represents rural populations) will depend on several close races in farm-heavy states.
Farm subsidies represent little more than political payoffs, with both parties bidding for the "farmer's friend" label heading into the November elections.
I read page 6. Mostly it says that farm subsidies aren't encouraging overproduction. I don't see how that is supposed to comfort me. That's like saying welfare isn't encouraging unemployed people to work too much.
Two-thirds of all farm subsidies go to large farms and wealthy agri-businesses, most of which earn more than $250,000 a year. Among the landed gentry on the agriculture dole: 14 members of Congress, 15 Fortune 500 companies, and celebrities such as Sam Donaldson and Ted Turner. These mega-corporations and multi-millionaires will rake in as much as 160 times the median annual farm subsidy of $935.
Farm subsides grew from $6 billion in 1996 to $30 billion in 2000. Advocates of the current farm bill say they're just trying to help struggling family farmers. But they could do that far more cheaply. Congress could guarantee every full-time farmer a minimum income of 185 percent of the federal poverty line ($32,652 for a family of four) for "only" $4 billion per year -- one-fifth the cost of direct subsidies in the new bill.
Most House members have at least one major crop in their district grown by farmers who vote, and control of the Senate (which over-represents rural populations) will depend on several close races in farm-heavy states.
Farm subsidies represent little more than political payoffs, with both parties bidding for the "farmer's friend" label heading into the November elections.