At Least We Still Have Cheap Cigarettes

[jdmidwest]

Liberal farmers are the biggest users of government subsidies. Those aren't Conservatve Farmers standing in line for all of those subsidies.

[Chief Grey Bear]

You have data for that??

[KCRIVERRAT]

Raise taxes on those who keep smallmouth, convicted sex offenders, convicted felons, deadbeat dads (and moms), tax evaders, jayhawk fans, Dick Cheney, anybody harming our environment, circus clowns, pink-assed baboons, etc., etc., etc. Leave this happy smoker alone!

[moguy1973]

Raise taxes on ... tax evaders,

[Outside Bend]

Liberal farmers are the biggest users of government subsidies. Those aren't Conservatve Farmers standing in line for all of those subsidies.

I don't know how we reconcile that with the fact that the Chairman of the state senate's Republican Caucushas received more than three-quarters of a million dollars in farm subsidies. Couple that with the fact that the counties receiving the most farm subsidies voted overwhelmingly conservative, and it would seem those Conservative Farmers happily stand in line for those subsidy dollars.

[Buzz]

Raise taxes on those who keep smallmouth, convicted sex offenders, convicted felons, deadbeat dads (and moms), tax evaders, jayhawk fans, Dick Cheney, anybody harming our environment, circus clowns, pink-assed baboons, etc., etc., etc. Leave this happy smoker alone!

That made me laugh. Good one KC.

[Justin Spencer]

Liberal farmers are the biggest users of government subsidies. Those aren't Conservatve Farmers standing in line for all of those subsidies.

What? Hopefully you were being sarcastic on this one, if not you are watching way too much Fox News.

Here is an exerpt from an article I found on farmers in Congress that are taking govt. subsidies, showing more Republicans than Dems taking them. I don't care if you are a Republican or Democrat farmer, if you are eligible for subsidies you are going to take them. It seems like Republicans feel that members of their brotherhood would never participate in liberal programs, but if it benefits them they are going to do it and rightfully so.

Among the members of the 112th Congress who collect payments from USDA are six Democrats and 17 Republicans. The disparity between the parties is even greater in terms of dollar amounts: $489,856 went to Democrats, but more than 10 times as much, $5,334,565, to Republicans.

Here is the article if interested. http://bungalowbillscw.blogspot.com/2011/03/23-members-of-congress-receive-farm.html

If anyone knows of any articles about how republicans are against farm subsidies I'd love to see them.

[ness]

I don't know how we reconcile that with the fact that the Chairman of the state senate's Republican Caucushas received more than three-quarters of a million dollars in farm subsidies. Couple that with the fact that the counties receiving the most farm subsidies voted overwhelmingly conservative, and it would seem those Conservative Farmers happily stand in line for those subsidy dollars.

I always appreciate it when there is support given for statements made, and you're one of the best at doing it here, but there's an implication without context in your statement. Sure, 3/4 of a million dollars is a lot of jack, but it's over a 15 year period for one -- or about $51M a year. Still a lot of money, but I suspect it's proportional to the size of the operation to a large extent. If your point was that Republicans farmers take, I'll grant you that. If it was that they take more, well we need more info.

Regardless, agriculture subsidies are one of the biggest black holes for spending, and are riddled with outdated and unnecessary expenditures. Too bad our government can't seem to figure out -- or anything else really.

[ness]

I always appreciate it when there is support given for statements made, and you're one of the best at doing it here, but there's an implication without context in your statement. Sure, 3/4 of a million dollars is a lot of jack, but it's over a 15 year period for one -- or about $51M a year. Still a lot of money, but I suspect it's proportional to the size of the operation to a large extent. If your point was that Republicans farmers take, I'll grant you that. If it was that they take more, well we need more info.

Regardless, agriculture subsidies are one of the biggest black holes for spending, and are riddled with outdated and unnecessary expenditures. Too bad our government can't seem to figure out -- or anything else really.

Never mind.

Thanks Justin.

[Outside Bend]

If your point was that Republicans farmers take, I'll grant you that. If it was that they take more, well we need more info.

That's basically all I was saying ness, that it'd be foolish to suggest only one political demographic is taking advantage of these subsidies.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the farm subsidy program. I've met many farmers in this state, self-identified conservatives, who are happy to receive $30,000 or $40,000 a year in farm subsidies. I don't blame them, free money is tough to pass up. But to suggest conservatives don't participate just doesn't hold water.

Honestly, I don't know what to do about programs like the farm bill. I don't like the idea of continuing to subsidize commodities like corn and soy, and I don't understand why a guy with thousands of acres to work and the highest prices in years couldn't make it on his own. Then again, I see a lot of value in the associated conservation programs. I know a number of farm families who wouldn't have been able to send their kids to college had their income not been augmented through farm subsidies. Many of those students are nurses, veterinarians, teachers, and they're going back to serve rural communities after graduation- to me that's a pretty substantial benefit. I guess I'm just hopeful there's a happy medium between the status quo and cutting the program entirely.