Heritage In Focus: Farm Subsidies: Too Much of a Bad Thing

[galbraith1988]

Once again Fireweed, you need to cite sources on the costs of production and these "economic facts" you cite here and in related videos. Arguing that subsidies came in late does not buttress your argument in a meaningful way with proof that the agricultural sector was devastated prior to these years. If you argue that Americans couldn't grow wheat before 1961, then you might have a point.

[FireweedFarm]

False. 1. There were no farm commodity subsidies for corn 61, soybeans 96, wheat 61, rice77 & cotton 63 until the years shown 2 USDA-ERS CornWheatRiceCottonSoybeanBarl­eySorghumgrainOats lost 180 billion vs full costs 81-06 Rich could afford to farm (81-06) as tax loss 3 The 5 storable crops lack price responsiveness on both supply & demand sides. (economic fact proves free markets don't work & US exported at loss as price floors lowered 4 managSuppl=only profit 5. HF ideology trumps biz profit

[kudzu79]

Only 1/3 of the money in the farm bill actually goes to farmers. Also the reason that corporate farms get so much more is because it is usually made up of several farmers working together. Of course they get more money because they farm more land and take more risks.

[zzot2]

I live right in the middle of the corn belt and can tell you the wealthiest of people are farmers. Do the math last year so farmers received $7 a bushel for corn. The averaged around 200 bushels per acre. One field of 100 acres grossed a farmer $140,000. I know farmers that farm 2-5 thousand acres. Even with expenses subtracted they made a killing last year, and on top of all of that they got your tax money in the form of subsidies. I wish I could be a farmer

[descleem13]

There is a few that did do very well, but then there is the rest that are making up for bad years and playing enormous expenses. I do cash flows for farmers all day and I can tell you that not all farmers were able to sell at $7. Plus have you ever heard the word BASIS? Take that off their futures price and it isnt as pretty

[Isawanangel1X]

i know this is very misunderstood overproduction drives the price down for the small farmers

[redbaron1943]

So then no subsidies should go to farmers whose land is already owned free and clear..

[harmsdap]

Sure farmers make 1/3 more than the national average, but they also have to pay for expenses like land, seed, fertilizer, fuel, equipment, taxes, storage, transportation, and maintenance. By the time you subtract those expenses, sometimes you're left with a negative number, which is where Subsidies come into play! Hooray for researching your topic Heritage!

[smellgoody]

@harmsdap Hooray for your ignorance!! The farmer's salaries come from the net income. the net income comes from the gross income minus the expenses. Read up.

[yourembryo]

"back then"...Exactly what does that mean? If you look at the most significant subsidies provided within the past 60 years and compare it to the so called "deficit", what does that truely mean?

I am completely against farmers being subsedized as if they are a union. Thats just stupid,inhuman and unethical.

[PaytonWeim1]

Its amazing how you look at war as a "corporate welfare program" instead of an unfortunate necessity. In fact, your comment makes no sense. If you know what a welfare program is, then war certainly doesn't fit the criteria. I have to laugh at all the liberal talking points on this site. Its the corporations man..... the U.S. war machine man....imperialistic U.S. policy man....Shut the hell up already, put down the bong, get a job, and join the rest of us here on planet earth liberal moron!

[dstevens101]

When one reads about the so-called "Heritage Foundation" firing John Hulsman for speaking out against failed policies carried out under the usual false pretenses, one wonders exactly whose "heritage" they are referring?

Soviet? Perhaps Chinese?

Perhaps, the new "NeoCon" heritage where you're either "with us or with the terrorists."

New Republikans for a new Amerikan Century!

America IS dissent and those that feel otherwise are not only the cowards of truth but also the enemies of democracy

[kingobnoxious]

Wall street Journals David Rogers reported: Senate Passes $286 Billion Farm Bill, Expanding Subsidies for Growers.

Google RON PAUL!!!!

[johnebii]

these boys need to read 'em some Cato. They shouldn't have given the subsidies during the Depression and they shouldn't be getting them now.

[o0xst]

Is there anyone at the Heritage Foundation that has ever had a real job?

[dangerine]

MISTAKE IN VIDEO:'the beef industry is not subsidized'

FACT: The USDA Check-off program provides the Dairy,Pork, and Beef Industries, etc. with funds to promote the got milk?, beef for dinner, etc. ad. campaigns.

ALL US Taxpayers, including you vegetarians promote Milk,Beef,Pork and other meat use in this way.

[bitterbonker]

Industrial animal husbandry is heavily subsidized by the government, and not only promotionally. CAFOs receive both huge monetary support directly, and a removal of other business costs. For example, factory farms in the U.S. create 130x the sewage of America's human population, yet they are not held to any treatment standards, much like those imposed on any city. This waste pollutes half of American streams and contributes to a "Dead Zone" the size of New Jersey in the Gulf of Mexico.

[dangerine]

Down with the Corn (High Fructose Corn Syrup & animal feed) SUBSIDIES! Feed the cattle grass, and switchgrass for ethanol!

Subsidize ORGANIC FRUITS AND VEGETABLES!

[dangerine]

Corporate welfare system is right! Let's get those Agri- businesses off welfare and back to work.

MISTAKE IN VIDEO: most of the cattle (think Factory Farms) are fed CORN (which makes cows/herbivores sick) which is Heavily subsidized. Since a major cost of the Beef industry, feed, is subsidized, cheap beef is indirectly subsidized and promoted.

[centerrightpunk]

why aren't groups pushing harder for this? these same politicians who vote for amnesty are the same ones who vote for agribusiness subisidies, and that just sends us more farm workers from the south because they can't compete.

[awksedgreep]

I'm in complete shock.

Heritage Foundation is making sense?

[JustinMShaw]

Are you going to take on subsidies to Big Oil next?

[johnebii]

yes please!!!!!!!!!!!