Monday, February 3, 2014

Taxpayers, please bend over...again! Farm Bill 2014!!

Congress, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to create a 2014 Farm Bill that is much larger ($956B), than the veto'd 2008 Farm Bill worth $640B, over 10 years (or revised every 5 years as proposed). Taxpayers will pay big farmers more subsidies since they suffer so much...increased profit?? Farmers can process insurance claims under this new bill if their crops produce poor yields or declines in revenue. Why are food stamps and farming combined in a bill? It is all political, so that the bill can be passed faster, says Senator Thad Cochran (R–MS). How will food stamp recipients be tested and weaned off of this program? There will be no drug tests or work requirements for food stamp recipients. Don't worry, those requirements were removed from the 2008 Farm Bill. They can also have any amount of money in their bank accounts as long as they meet the minimum annual salary amounts based on the new bypass asset tests. Huh? How are taxpayers going to pay for all of this? Interesting tidbit: "Net farm income is expected to reach “a remarkable $128.2 billion this year – the highest level since 1973,” making the aforementioned farm programs all but insanity. The “farm” bill means more expenses for taxpayers and higher costs for consumers. It means more unnecessary government dependence for wealthy farmers and food stamp recipients."