Agribusiness Subsidy Cuts Could Save Food Stamps in the Farm Bill (1 Viewer)

[DaveFagan]

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/...-cuts-could-save-food-stamps-in-the-farm-bill

"House Republicans say nutrition programs will be broken out and included in a separate, stand-alone bill and may be cut as deeply as they were in the earlier, failed version of the Farm Bill." "The House Farm Bill would also expand subsidies for agriculture by nearly $9 billion at a time when the farm sector is historically strong, especially compared to the rest of the economy, and makes these subsidies permanent law. Currently, they have to be reauthorized every five years.
The "vote is the latest smoking gun that the House majority isn't truly interested in deficit reduction," said Joel Berg, executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, in a statement. "They're interested in supporting special interest groups over hungry Americans." "Billions of dollars could be saved by cutting subsidies while still protecting vital nutrition programs for the poor, if policymakers are willing to make them. Cuts to wasteful agribusiness subsidies would save the American people money while allowing Congress to safeguard food stamps during these weak economic times. Food stamps provide vital food assistance to those who have lost their jobs, who labor in low-wage positions, or who live on a fixed income. At the same time, a more-than-adequate agricultural safety net could continue to be funded. However, doing so would require many in the House majority to drop their aversion to compromise. And members of both parties would have to ignore misinformation and pressure from the crop insurance lobby."

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/...-cuts-could-save-food-stamps-in-the-farm-bill

Yes, indeedy. The Corporate welfare portion of the bill goes right through.

Why not poverty people's welfare?

Is Corporate welfare OK?

Isn't this backwards?

 

[radioman]

. Yes, indeedy. The Corporate welfare portion of the bill goes right through. Why not poverty people's welfare? Is Corporate welfare OK? Isn't this backwards?

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Dave...Dave...Dave....why you so crazy?
If we didn't pay farmers for not growing....well then, the growers might have to apply for food stamps.

 

[longview]

Sorry I hit the wrong button, I meant to hit No.
I think each and every spending bill needs to stand on it's own merit.
If it needs to be bundled with other things to make it palatable,
it likely was not good to begin with.

 

[DaveFagan]

Sorry I hit the wrong button, I meant to hit No.
I think each and every spending bill needs to stand on it's own merit.
If it needs to be bundled with other things to make it palatable,
it likely was not good to begin with.

Agreed, but why didn't they cut the Agribusiness Budget while they had the opportunity. They are already talking cutting the welfare side. Snap, food stamps, the poverty stricken's safety net.

 

[DaveFagan]

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Dave...Dave...Dave....why you so crazy?
If we didn't pay farmers for not growing....well then, the growers might have to apply for food stamps.

Hot dam y'all, ah swar! On the buttoooooon. Just the tip of the Corporate Welfare state. Keep movin', nothing to see here.

 

[radioman]

Agreed, but why didn't they cut the Agribusiness Budget while they had the opportunity. They are already talking cutting the welfare side. Snap, food stamps, the poverty stricken's safety net.

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Well....I would guess the agribiz guys had enough money to bribe...oops...I mean lobby the congressmen.
The solution, evidently, is for those Snappers to skip a few meals, pool their food stamp pennies and bribe...oops...I mean lobby congress.
Hooray, it's a win-win !!!
Congress will be happy, food stamp recipients will be happy......unless they die of starvation first.

 

[DaveFagan]

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Well....I would guess the agribiz guys had enough money to bribe...oops...I mean lobby the congressmen.
The solution, evidently, is for those Snappers to skip a few meals, pool their food stamp pennies and bribe...oops...I mean lobby congress.
Hooray, it's a win-win !!!
Congress will be happy, food stamp recipients will be happy......unless they die of starvation first.

Would it make sense to inquire how many of our Congressmen receive Agricultural Subsidies? No, no, and hell no, they certainly wouldn't be so crass as to vote for their own advantages and perks. Only scumbags and sleazeballs would do that. But I've most certainly misspoken because that would be the first requirement to get elected.

 

[radioman]

Would it make sense to inquire how many of our Congressmen receive Agricultural Subsidies? No, no, and hell no, they certainly wouldn't be so crass as to vote for their own advantages and perks. Only scumbags and sleazeballs would do that. But I've most certainly misspoken because that would be the first requirement to get elected.

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Well, Dave there is legitimate welfare (tax breaks, subsidies, rich guy stuff), and illegitimate welfare (everything poor people get).
You're clearly struggling with this difference.
I would suggest you ask Tea Party Caucus leader, Michele Bachmann.
She managed to collect farm subsidies while, simultaneously, railing against gummint spending.
Reconciling this apparent contradiction is a DC art form.
See you around, Dave.