Agree ! It's about time farmers got a good deal. Hardest physical job in the world and always under appreciated for all that they do.
Excellent Commentary All ............................................................................ Agriculture has received a lot of sympathy over the years.....and a lot of subsidy payments and favorable loans....which in turn amortize land in the name of an individual. The family farm arguments have gotten a lot of sympathy....and US taxpayers have paid for it.... The fact is agriculture run by corporate farming would be more efficient, and would basically eliminate the need for subsidies.... However because of the entrenched USDA and agricultural underpinnings of American wholesomeness, this segment will still be strong when it comes to winning some of your tax money their way, as they have normally been very strong politically. However the landscape is changing fast. All it would take to eliminate the inefficiencies of the current agricultural family farms would be for Obama to publicly discuss how much money tax payers would save, and how much lower food prices would be for the world, while having better quality food, and increased exports....thus increasing much needed food in a higher populated world. The USDA could become a governmental relic of the past. Corporate farming without subsidy is without a doubt better for the US, and will enable it to compete even better with the likes of Brazil. And with the recent flurry of activity, corporations will be the only entities that can afford enough acerage to be profitable. The next step is to cut Monsanto and others lose with plants, seeds, and methods that can produce more with less susceptability to disease and insects, and less water usage. The corporate farm that is integrated with end product food production is the way of the future for the US and the world.....because of reliability, lower costs, and higher productivity. The writing is on the wall.....It is going to happen anyway. The world gravitates towards efficiency....
If you come from another country, I am happy that it does not suffer from a self-centered point of view. Apparently you live in Shangri-La. And you are incapable of making the leap that it may help farmers in MANY countries and it may help OTHER countries who export agricultural products.
And besides the fact that poor people can't afford staples: it has caused riots. Many leaders are very worried about this...
I posted this on another thread but this link is interesting: it has none other than George Mitchell arguing for open trade in order to benefit the poor: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4289389.ece I hope some day people will realize that in the medium term truly open markets (with a little regulation of course) is actually the greatest thing one can do for the poor...
Thank you Bush and Cheney Bio-fuels were a big part of the hidden agenda of Cheney's "energy task force".