Comments on: Don’t Make It Fair, Make It Die http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/dont-make-it-fair-make-it-die/ Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:11:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Alicia http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/dont-make-it-fair-make-it-die/#comment-2721 Alicia Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:50:23 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/dont-make-it-fair-make-it-die/#comment-2721 The reason that the government has to "subsidize" farmers comes from the origins of the farm bill itself. The original farm bill was a relief package for farmers in the mid-west suffering from the Dust Bowl. The reality is that Farmers take risks that other people don't. Farmers can't make it rain, the can't make the sun shine, and they can't stop the dust bowls. The can't stop a drought that might run for 3 or 4 years. If a farmer can't make a profit for several years in a row, then they have to leave the business, and that is bad for the economy. Not everyone farms, but everyone eats. The farm bill is suppose to act like a safety net in times when prices fall below cost. Although the Farm Bill in its current state has snowballed out of control, farmers will continue to need the security that the original farm bill provided. The reason that the government has to “subsidize” farmers comes from the origins of the farm bill itself. The original farm bill was a relief package for farmers in the mid-west suffering from the Dust Bowl. The reality is that Farmers take risks that other people don’t. Farmers can’t make it rain, the can’t make the sun shine, and they can’t stop the dust bowls. The can’t stop a drought that might run for 3 or 4 years. If a farmer can’t make a profit for several years in a row, then they have to leave the business, and that is bad for the economy. Not everyone farms, but everyone eats. The farm bill is suppose to act like a safety net in times when prices fall below cost. Although the Farm Bill in its current state has snowballed out of control, farmers will continue to need the security that the original farm bill provided.

]]> By: Joseph http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/dont-make-it-fair-make-it-die/#comment-2712 Joseph Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:59:22 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/dont-make-it-fair-make-it-die/#comment-2712 I am not terribly familiar with this area public policy but my understanding is that having locally grown produce is better for the environment and our health, which isn't really about the "family farm" so much as creating small locally owned farms that can sell produce to its surrounding areas. I am not terribly familiar with this area public policy but my understanding is that having locally grown produce is better for the environment and our health, which isn’t really about the “family farm” so much as creating small locally owned farms that can sell produce to its surrounding areas.

]]> By: Actually Able to Think http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/dont-make-it-fair-make-it-die/#comment-2709 Actually Able to Think Thu, 11 Oct 2007 22:32:43 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/dont-make-it-fair-make-it-die/#comment-2709 We're a major agricultural exporter. We don't need subsidies for food security any more than Australia does, Keatssycamore. We’re a major agricultural exporter. We don’t need subsidies for food security any more than Australia does, Keatssycamore.

]]> By: keatssycamore http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/dont-make-it-fair-make-it-die/#comment-2699 keatssycamore Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:11:25 +0000 http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/dont-make-it-fair-make-it-die/#comment-2699 <i>But it’s still not clear to me why it’s in the government’s job to devote billions of dollars protecting any farmers — be they family or corporate.</i> Food Security. But it’s still not clear to me why it’s in the government’s job to devote billions of dollars protecting any farmers — be they family or corporate.

Food Security.

]]>