The next time you hear a Republican or a teabagger complain that President Obama is moving the United States closer to "fascism and socialism" (despite the two philosophies being ideologically opposite of one another), remember this: some of these same people are taking thousands of dollars in a form of "socialism" that we usually don't think about: farm subsidies.
For those not in the know, farm subsidies are when the government pays farmers and businesses in the agricultural field to (a) supplement income, (b) manage commodity supply, and (c) influence commodity cost.
Here's the dirty little secret: some politicians, mostly Republicans but also a few Democrats, figured out how to make tons of money off of this "socialism for the wealthy." It also comes as no coincidence that most of these particular politicians come from largely rural states.
Representative Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota), the nation's third-most recognizable teabagger figurehead after Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, got almost $252,000 from farm subsidies between 1995 and 2006. Hypocritical much, Congresswoman Bachmann?
Congresswoman Bachmann isn't alone. There's also Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) of "I'm No NAIL" fame, who took over $1 million over an 11-year period for his family farms.
Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), one of the thirty "Republicans for Rape" and a man who wants to be Kansas' next governor, took over half a milion on farm subsidies. You read that correctly: half a million. This coming from a man whose sole mission in life is doing what he thinks God is telling him to do despite not knowing what the word of God is really all about - namely, helping those you are screwing by taking half a million in government funds.
To be fair, not all subsidy money is going to Republicans. There are also a handful of Democrats taking subsidies as well.
Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana), a man who is largely responsible for killing any real health care reform in the Senate's reform bill, took about $250,000 in subsidies. So, it's not just Big Pharma paying off Baucus.
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas), one of the four Lieberman-esque Democratic Senators that were hell-bent on killing real reform in the Senate's health care reform bill, also took subsidies - about $700,000 worth.
Notice a pattern here? All of these politicians have two tendencies about them: (a) they come from states where agriculture is big business, and (b) they all tend to be politically conservative - and this is more proof (if any more was needed) that the phrase "compassionate conservative" is oxymoronic.
So, next time you hear someone argue against health care reform or economic stimulus as part of Obama's "socialist agenda," just remember that these same people took thousands from the government - an all-mighty socialism for the rich.
Comments
If the government didn't decide to keep food and commodity prices so low, there wouldn't be a farm program. I'm a farm wife and this article about subsidies is unfounded. The federal programs are designed to soften the effects of cheap food policy. If farmers could charge like retailers, you would have much higher food and we would be able to meet expenses. Have you any idea how much it costs to run a tractor or put out a crop? Or pay land taxes? Production of agricultural products is about all our interests. Nancy Coleman
I don't think that the complaint was about the farm subsidies. it was that some of the people who are complaining that the Obama administration is turning us 'socialist' have no problem taking money from 'socialist type programs such as farm subsidies. it seems somewhat hypocritical of them and leads one to wonder what their true motivations are when they cry 'socialist' and 'fascist'.
Thank you Brian.
The story about Michele Bachmann's farm subsidies is hardly news. This was first reported over two years ago here:
tinyurl.com/6dq326
tinyurl.com/5t6rqf
Truthdig simply rewrote the story and claimed it as their own original reporting. Not much digging there.
The real question is, did Bachman vote against the farm bills? She really has no choice but to participate in the programs once they're in place.
Farm subsidies don't actually help farmers because the subsidies are capitalized into higher costs for farmers, primarily higher land costs. But if you farm, you have no choice but to take the subsidies because your costs will be higher regardless of whether or not you take the subsidies and certainly your competitors will.
All farm subsidies should be phased out. That's what the "Freedom to Farm" farm bill in the mid-90's was supposed to do, but it was short-circuited by "emergency" spending bills in subsequent years and the two subsequent farm bills that went back to the same old trough.
At a minimum, there should be strict and low payment limits on farm payments.
Both parties seem equally culpable for irresponsible farm bills. And its no just congress. When was the last time a president vetoed a farm bill?
The article raises a solid point (even though apparently it has been made already) that Michele Bachmann is being hypocritical. HOWEVER, this is obviously a very biased article. I don't consider her a Michele Bachmann a conservative. She isn't, and for the very reasons you speak of. Obama promised in his campaign he would stop farm subsidies, and that's one of the few reasons I reluctantly voted for him (that, withdrawing troops, and the fact that Palin was selected as his opponent's running mate).
Obviously the president isn't following the promises he made.
The horrible secret is BOLSHEVIK COMMUNISTS intentionally starved 11 million Ukrainians to death! Cziernewski? Where do you originate from? Ukraine? Whats your relation to the Soviet Union Commisars responsible for the death of 70 million eastern europeans? Please I would like to know.
Thousands more like millions. I do believe Ks will always be a "republican" state unfortunately due to all the farming in Kansas. I am so sick of hearing about how bad Obama is. These are the same people that voted Bush in which we all know where that got us... in a BIG HOLE. This economy is going to take many more years to even get back into shape due to the republicans and if people would just realize that republicans are thieves and about making themselves richer which is sad. Democrats are for the middle class and always willing to lend a hand. I mean yes like you said all dems are not the greatest but even then they are better than republicans.
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