'Yet under a federal agriculture program approved by Congress, his 18-acre suburban lot receives about $1,300 in annual 'direct payments,' because years ago the land was used to grow rice.'

We got bigger problems than the hundred dollars a month this guy is getting.

Barch97 spewed:

We got bigger problems than the hundred dollars a month this guy is getting.

Did you miss the point of the article? His $100/mo, in addition to all the other bottomfeeders receiving similar subsidies adds up to some real cash.

In 2005 alone, when pretax farm profits were at a near-record $72 billion, the federal government handed out more than $25 billion in aid

Jesus, barch, you're slipping. That was dumb, even for you.

oh I get the point they're trying to make. I just don't think they're doing a very good job of it. if the most outrageous case than can cite (and describe first) is this guy getting a hundred bucks a month... it just seems like an awfully carefully worded editorial that really doesn't say a whole lot when you think about what you're reading.

'n 2005 alone, when pretax farm profits were at a near-record $72 billion, the federal government handed out more than $25 billion in aid'

hmm... 'pretax'? why did that need to be said? what's the total posttax? I'm betting not nearly as staggering a figure. and, they lump all federal agricultural assistance into one big pile. so, this fucknut that's takin' my money is listed right along side all the farmers that legitimately receive federal aid.

'Some of them collect hundreds of thousands of dollars without planting a seed. Mary Anna Hudson, 87, from the River Oaks neighborhood in Houston, has received $191,000 over the past decade.'

WOW!!! $191,000... that's A LOT of fucking money, right? yeah... but that's over a period of ten years. I guess saying that she received $19,000 one year didn't pack quite as big a punch. How many 18 & 19 year olds receive $20,000 student loans each year and then drop out? and we're gonna pick on this poor little old lady? because she 'didn't plant a seed'? maybe she's got an orchard...

'Most of the money goes to real farmers who grow crops on their land' hmm... but when it comes to controdicting their point with facts, they're suspiciously ambiguous. 'most'? what percentage is 'most'? 51%? 99%?

Defending government waste is a lonely endevour, Mr. Arguing For Argument's Sake.

I'm not saying this or any other governement program is perfect but, the linked editorial does a shit job of convincing me that the problem with federal farm subsidies should be a priority.