Farmer Subsidy vs Welfare

[scheides]

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/21...#ixzz0rX9hoiNn

Originally Posted by kansascity.com

The Raytown farmer who posted a sign on a semi-truck trailer accusing Democrats of being the “Party of Parasites” received more than $1 million in federal crop subsidies since 1995.

But David Jungerman says the payouts don’t contradict the sign he put up in a corn field in Bates County along U.S. 71 Highway.

“That’s just my money coming back to me,” Jungerman, 72, said Monday. “I pay a lot in taxes. I’m not a parasite.”

After a story about Jungerman’s trailer ran in Sunday’s Star, however, some readers called him a hypocrite for criticizing others for getting government help while taking government subsidies paid for by taxpayers.

Jungerman said he put up the sign to protest people who pay no taxes, but, “Always have their hand out for whatever the government will give them” in social programs.

Crop subsidies are different, he said. When crop prices dip below a certain point, the federal government makes up the difference with a subsidy payment.

According to a farm subsidy data base, Jungerman received $1,095,101 in the past 15 years, including $224,763 in 2000. Last year, he received $34,303.

Twice in May, somebody set Jungerman’s trailer on fire. An empty farm house of his was also burned. All three fires were arson, officials said.

Interesting contradiction.

[Spikesoftail]

I think this guy picked the wrong fight

[Kracka]

Crop subsidies are a very touchy subject. I hate the idea of hand-outs, but unfortunately they're needed in our current economy for numerous reasons. E85 owes its existence to subsidies as do a lot of the "low" prices we pay (and have come to demand) at the grocery store.

I do agree with the farmer on the point that he is at least a contributing member of society. IMO, he deserves it more than some worthless crackhead that just pops out more babies to get a bigger check each month.

[1QUICK4]

Not to mention the amount of $$$ farmers need to invest every year.

[Kracka]

For those of you interested, check out the documentary King Corn. Although I don't agree with some of the political standpoints and "liberal propaganda" this movie portrays, it does give a very basic overview of how the whole system works in a fairly entertaining format.

[Spikesoftail]

Being a buisness owner myself, I still feel substities are kind of shity. I see where they are coming from. Everyone needs some help at times. In the same regard, If I have a bad year, no one is helping me out.

[1QUICK4]

Originally Posted by Spikesoftail

If I have a bad year, no one is helping me out.

You get a major tax break if you are in the red as a buisness owner. (I'm not saying it is enough to stay afloat)

Farmers that recieve subsidies do not get as good a tax break

[311evo]

Example;

My dad made 120k last year.

it cost him 100k just to get the whole process done.

and had to pay in to taxes about 20k.

Do the math, shit sucks.

[TheBlizzard]

Yeah it doesn't make 100% sense what the farmer said, sure he pays taxes, but in some regard he doesn't, he gets back as much (or more) than he paid in.

I see where the farmer is coming from and I only agree in the same aspect and Hughes, at least he is doing something and not sitting around selling his food stamps for cash so he can by Listerine and drink it.

And yeah he fucked with the wrong type of people thats for sure. It would be like someone turning the Popeyes Chicken on Lake St. into a Jimmy Johns.

[1ViciousGSX]

How about farmer who get paid to NOT plant crops to drive up the market value?