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onetime2 seems to have a far more intimate grasp of the subsidy issue than I do myself. The thing that I would like to understand better is why we feel it is neccessary to subsidize a particular way of life, ie. why should the "small" or "family" farmer be paid a subsidy by me (I dislike calling them tax dollars when they are, in fact, my dollars) to stay in farming. If a small farmer can't make a living to support his family and lifestyle, I would think that he should change jobs. Why not? Because his family has been in the farming business for a long time. So what? What if the government was still supporting blacksmiths, wheelwrights, and coopers with our money? Would you still honestly support that? Some career choices don't remain viable forever. Am I being horribly blind about this or does anyone else feel the same way?
My uncle was a farmer so I have some personal experience to draw on. He grew corn, raised pigs and sometimes cattle. He also drove the school bus and taught history at the high school in rural Illinois. He supported his family in this way for a number of years. Eventually the farm became more work that the money it was bringing in so he sold out and moved into town. He is retired now, but did continue to work as a teacher after his move into town. He adapted to his changing circumstances. Why can't other farmers do the same? And why can't they keep their hands out of my pockets?
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You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.
- Albert Einstein
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