"Red State" farmers benefit most from federal disaster aid

[BJ]

Here is yet another story of the convoluted, distorted fantasy-land they call "reality" which our Repiglican friends inhabit.

I don't care to recall how many times I've heard the old bromide that farmers vote Republican because they like the party's message of independence, self-reliance and freedom from governmental interference. Well, I guess you really can't call "disaster assistance" "government interference" but taking those taxpayer funds is hardly self-reliant either.

Yet while these independent yeomen decry programs that provide a modicum of food, usually their taxpayer subsidized produce, clothing and shelter to inner city families, they have no moral compunction about lining up for the governmental dole. And it has successfully kept these stalwarts of the Plains firmly enthralled to a Republican Party that kepts them hooked on "New Deal" programs.

In some states, disaster payments have become cash crop for farmers

Great Plains states have received the most aid since 1995 for recoveries from frosts, droughts and damp weather.

By PHILIP BRASHER
REGISTER WASHINGTON BUREAU
November 14, 2004

(-snip-)
From 1995 to 2003, the government gave farmers $11.3 billion in disaster assistance, according to U.S. Agriculture Department records compiled by the Environmental Working Group, a Washington-based advocacy organization.

Forty percent of that money, nearly $4.5 billion, went to just five states - Texas, the Dakotas, Oklahoma and Kansas - according to the group's analysis.
(-snip-)
It's an interesting twist of political irony - the states that depend the most on disaster aid are among the most Republican states. Bush got at least 60 percent of the vote this year in every state from Texas north to North Dakota.

This year, less than a month before the election, Congress approved $3 billion in disaster assistance, but lawmakers took the money out of future spending for the Conservation Security Program, which rewards farmers for improved environmental practices.
Read the complete Sunday Des Moines Register here

The above are only four small paragraphs of a much longer front page story. I do hope you take the time to read it in its entirety.

[NC_Nurse]

1. Am I surprised?

No, I am not.

HA! My cynicism deepens as we speak....

[BiggJawn]

2. I was working on a teleconference once...

Panel of 6 farmers, all hard-core ReTHUGlicans, all adamant about not wanting "Their programs" to end or be cut back.

One fellow was relating how, if he found out the guy who ran his tractor shop had a 10-acre or so "hobby farm" on the side, that he would not trade with him, "Because he's taking money out of my pocket with his farm. I'm a SERIOUS farmer, I do this for my LIVING. Why should I support my competition?"

Some competiton. 10 acres would yield maybe 1400 bushels of corn. If you're in such bad shape that you're gonna be ruined by somebody else selling 1400 bushels....And what about the OTHER "Serious" farmers? Do you guys exchange gunfire at the elevator when you bring the crop in?

That's the mind-set of your average Red State farmer."I'm rugged and independant,but you best keep your hands off my USDA programs, and don't even DARE to run a small place on your own."

Assholes. Bet they set the radios in those climate cabs on Gush Pfleghmball, too.

[KarmaHappens]

3. Here is another ...

"Disaster-Prone: For Many Farms Disaster Aid From Taxpayers Is A Staple Crop"

http://www.ewg.org/issues/agriculture/20041005/index.php

This site actually has a database for the recipients of disasters aid and farm subsidies. I was surprised to see one farm in my county got amost $600,000.00 in farm subsidies in one year.

My sister sent me this link because she was angry that some of her family memebers were on it and had recieved over $120,000 in subsidies in 2002. One particular family she was upset about is fundie. The daughter got pregnant before marriage (gasp). They got her on medicaide before the wedding so the state would help pay for the baby. I'm assuming the girl told the medicaid office she was on her own to qualify. After the medicaid kicked in they threw her a 6000.00 wedding.

Can anyone say Red State Welfare Queen?

Look, I'm not against giving some kind of aid...but to know these kinds of thing go on makes me sick.

If someone thinks this is justified please explain it to me. I'm not a farmer but I would like to know if these excessive amounts are necessary.

edit: spelling

[BJ]

4. Pretty damned shocking isn't it.

It's the one issue that I take issue with my Senator, Tom Harkin. As the junior senator from Iowa he always votes for all these subsidy programs and the farmers in this state are always left sucking hind teat.

[KarmaHappens]

5. That is why I'm really torn

about this issue. I have family in Iowa and yes, they farm. I haven't looked yet to see if they are in Iowa database. I'm from Texas and to see that we are funding the high lifestyle of some of these recipients makes me angry.

edit: to add a word

[BJ]

7. Here's something from the Web site you linked to

http://www.ewg.org/reports/freetofarm/IAfreedom.html

It's dateed information, about eight years old, but I think still relevant.

[KarmaHappens]

9. Thanks

I've not had a chance to look at everthing yet. Will check it out.

[KarmaHappens]

8. Well, I found some

family members in the database..but what they got wasn't even as much as they paid for that wedding I mentioned in the above post. I think the rice subsidies shown in the Texas database are shamefull. If someone can justify or explain why rice farmers are getting so much, I'm willing to listen.

[BJ]

10. Perhaps to keep our Asian "allies" in line.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x988532

Or, more likely, dependent?

[OneTwentyoNine]

6. Pretty bad when EVEN Limbaugh calls it welfare...

Living here in Kansas we get to see those story's all the time.Out near the Kansas/Colorado border the feds paid farmers not to grow or till because of erosion. Did they pay them the going rate for what the crop would have been worth?? Hell no,they paid them double the going rate for doing NOTHING.

A cousin of mine is married to a rich ass who's father years ago bought land over in eastern Kansas. He put the land in the Federal Soil bank and over time the Government paid for the land through payments to him. He's rich as hell,he could afford just to let the land set,BTW he never saw the land or set foot on it.

Its all about protecting the "family farmer". But the Federal Government couldn't care less about the family plumber,family painter,family carpenter, etc,etc....

David

[KarmaHappens]

11. This is a good read too

was written October 2004

"Farm Revolution Stops at Subsidies"
Efficiency Fails to Stem Flow of Federal Cash

http://www.ewg.org/news/story.php?id=3117