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Originally Posted by dc_dux
I have expressed opposition to the so-called "farm bill" (it should more properly be called the "millionaires agri-business" welfare bill) every time it comes up for reauthorization in anything resembling the current form. (The last time as 2002).
It is the largest "corporate welfare" program in the country. Even with the new income restrictions that the Dems forced into this year's bill, the bulk of the subsidies still go to agri-business and "hobby" farmers (like Ted Turner and David Rockefeller)...just marginally less than previous recent farm bills.
But it has always been as much a regional issue as it is a partisan issue. So, if it will pass with a veto-proof majority, I applaud Pelosi for at least forcing the inclusion of new income restrictions (as weak as they are) and more funding for urban working poor in the form of Dept of Agr. food stamp and child nutrition program increases.
So yeah, I support the veto. We can find other means of upping the support programs for those who really need it....small family farmers and urban and rural poor.
added:
ace...where was the Bush veto of the $200+ billion farm bill in 2002, when there was a Republican majority in Congress?
President Signs Farm Bill
IMO, that one should have been vetoed as well. |
I agree that the 2002 farm bill should never have passed and should have been veto'd. Like I posted in another thread Republican's have lost their focus and it was things like this that has caused a weakening in their base.
One thing that prompted me to post the editorial was my immediate thought of many TFP'ers while I read it, those who have taken recent positions that some big business in some industries, i.e. oil, tobacco, health care are bad and have far to much influence but turn a blind eye to the Farm Bill at a time when profits and some food prices are hitting or going to hit all time highs.
I still have not seen what Obama's view on the Farm Bill is. Seems that he would be against it given the subsidies to the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. I also find the idea behind manipulating food prices at high levels and giving poor people more food stamps inefficient - why not support policies to help keep prices low through competition, productivity and enhancing market efficiencies?