The mixed-up world of Senator Chuck Grassley

The Mixed-Up World of Senator Chuck Grassley
US Senator Charles 'Chuck' Grassley (Iowa) is one of the biggest boosters of government subsidies that pay farmers to grow corn for ethanol to fuel cars and trucks. Food-for-fuel policies are among the main causes of the recent price rises in food prices that is causing hunger and misery among the world's poorest people.

This video shows the two sides of Chuck Grassley. First, speaking at a Baptist meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, he says that "turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to world hunger exposes the selfish side of human nature."

Grassley then reveals that his own 'selfish side' is alive and kicking by vigorously defending US crops-for-fuel subsidies during a telephone news conference with agriculture reporters. Grassley then gives a boneheaded defence of food-for-fuel subsidies, denying any connection between diverting millions of acres of farm land to produce ethanol and the rising price of corn and other staple commodities. What's more recent studies have shown that US ethanol policy is actually making climate change worse by increasing carbon emissions.

Grassley is a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee that is currently writing a new US farm bill as well as being the ranking minority member of the Senate Finance Committee that continues to grant big tax breaks for ethanol while maintains a high import tariff against ethanol from outside the US. As well as being a Senator, he is also a corn farmer from Iowa, the biggest producer of corn-based-ethanol in the US. So that may explain it. Good old pork barrel politics.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ethanol
• agriculture
• senate
• hypocrisy
• farm
• hunger
• us
• politics
• republican
• farmsubsidy
• grassley

[bret4414]

Well let me see... corn is used for ethanol... and food.... but in what way... do you eat the corn that is used for ethanol? No no you don't...Most corn is used for livestock consumption... .but even last year when the demand for corn was the highest ever there was still a surplus! you all need to read your facts! Christ in heaven... What does the highest percentage of your dollar go to when buying food? Transportation... meand its OIL thats rising food prices... cause by basic supply and demand

[farmsubsidy]

With around 30 per cent of last year's record US corn crop being used for ethanol, livestock farmers have to pay more for their feedstuffs. This means higher prices for all meats, eggs, milk and cheese - and anything else that contains those products.

You're correct to say that oil is another major contributing factor. But just because a high oil price is driving up food costs, doesn't mean that a government susbidized ethanol industry built on corn is not also driving food prices up.

[bret4414]

oh well of course it does drive up the cost of food... but to throw it all at the feet of ethanol and farmers is just wrong. And we cannot forget about another factor, the declingin dollar... but when you look at the fact that there was a surplus last year its just crazy to blame it all on americas corn farmers, who for one of the first times ever, do ont depend on subsidies to make it through.... and no one has ever said corn ethanol is the final answer, its just a step to something better

[farmsubsidy]

What exactly do you mean 'there was a surplus last year' ? Corn prices were at record levels. I don't recall anyone dumping it in landfill or giving it away for free.

You're wrong to say that corn growers don't depend on subsidies. They get fat subsidies for growing corn and ethanol refiners get fat tax breaks and blending mandates to make their product competitive. Without the subsidies, the tax breaks and the mandates there'd be no corn ethanol industry. Simple as that.

[n4mwd]

We pay farmers millions every year NOT to grow corn. Now we can save all that money and let them grow it into ethanol. In any event, modern ethanol plants use the stalks not the kernels to make ethanol. Its called cellulosic ethanol. Grassley is one of the best congressmen up in washington. Farmsubidy seems to have eaten a bad tortitto.

[olivemike81]

Only a Republican can listen to someone talk out of their ass and still say "I like him, he speaks his mind." I want my leaders to speak out too, but I prefer they do it when they have something intelligent and thoughtful to say. Not just the first dumbass thing that pops in there.

[GanatoryRedeye]

@olivemike81 Ironically: I'm a democrat.

[GanatoryRedeye]

It's called Capitalism. It's a self-destructive system. It's all about money and NOTHING else. If you can't see that you are naive. It's as simple as that.

Besides, how much money are people getting in subsidies? Are there subsidies for other things like soybeans?  In a system like ours you cannot choose to focus on one specific thing. For instance, yes farmers raise corn, but many of them do crop rotations. Have you thought about that?

[GanatoryRedeye]

Chuck is my hero. He actually speaks his mind because he has the balls too.

[Pilgrim812]

This man is a pompous, hypocrite

Iowa get rid of this guy.

[montanagal09]

i have to write a speech and role-play him tomorrow for my government class

great...

[phred03]

hey farmsubsidy - what would you say to Grassley if you hard an opportunity? I will soon, please post ASAP.

[redbaron1943]

Follow the money !!