That's interesting that there are US farmers surviving because of a subsidy in light of studies showing how the number of families living in poverty in the US has substantially risen in the last few years.

I hadn't thought about/realized this before. But the book I've been reading describes how US foreign policy was designed to help create a vibrant economy in Japan. To be used as a showcase against communism. Several examples were given, such as selling Japan the technology to build high-tech fighter airplane, rather then the airplanes themselves. The tradeoffs were bases the US was allowed to build and maintain in the area. The cost was the factory workers no longer needed in the US who previously built the planes.


>>Darn. You just reminded me that I missed something Fri nite. A PBS show had a documentary Fri nite that was about the massive handouts given to farmers to grow cotton and the problems that have ensued because of it.
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>I saw it. It was on on Sunady morning here.
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>The subsidies really do hurt other countries' pricing, making it tough for them to make even a subsistence living.
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>On the other hand, while there are big corporations sucking up the subsidies, there are also family farms who get some too (hold-outs from corporate buyout attempts, I'd bet). These have come to depend on the subsidy. They get a tiny piece of the overall pie, but it is vital to them.
>Maybe subsidies could be restricted to family-owned production only. But the corporations would likely just sue their way back into them too.
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>>>>And then the next freeze, drought, flood, or hurricane wipes it all out and we are stuck importing corn from where exactly? :o) I like the idea though. It is high time more support went to agricultural production here in the U.S. and developing new energy sources within our own borders.
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>>>"Support" for U.S. agricultural production has been there for a very long time. A handful of corporate giants get all kinds of subsidies from the government (else they wouldn't be in the business).
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>>>But I do agree that things that can reduce dependence on foreign oil (even if a good bit of it comes from Canada < s >) is a good thing. There may be no one silver bullet, but lots of smaller things could still accomplish it (I hope).
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>>>>>>I think it is worth the cost for our economy and our farmers and our energy requirements. However, it is very reminicent of the oil shale fiasco in Colorado back when I was living there. I wouldn't get my hopes up...
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>>>>>For long time government subsidized farms to reduce harvests. So now when demand is here, it may just let them maximize production so it will be enough corn for both food and energy.