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I just know what the crowd wants, don’t I? So I was watching “Bill Moyers' Journal” on PBS last Friday night (I got totally wasted after, don’t worry) and featured was a story on farming subsidies. It was basically about how we still have a lot of poverty and hunger in America, yet millions of our tax money goes towards these “unnecessary” farmer subsidies. The government awards certain farms subsidies depending on how much land the farm owns and how well the market is doing. If farms cannot sell enough crops at their estimated value, the government makes up the difference.
This is all fine and well, except some of these farmers are abusing the system. Investigators found that some farms weren’t even producing any crops on all the land that was claimed for their subsidies. I know there are a lot of real, struggling farmers out there and I just think it’s ridiculous that millions of dollars are given to farmers who don’t even need it. Can I get an audit, hallelujah?!
The show also reported how food prices have reached a record high and that food programs and shelters are receiving more patrons then ever. One of the interviews was with an 80 year-old woman who lived on one bell pepper for two days. Was there a more perfect way to start off my Friday night? Why does the world suck??? Just kidding. I really am a positive person and firmly believe that compassion is still in fashion. See, would a self-respecting, cynical pessimist dare rhyme?? No way, Jose.
Anyway, the whole story really is sad. I plan on making monthly donations of fresh fruits and vegetables to my local food shelter. Grandmas got to eat.
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1 comment:
I know, I watched that program too. Seriously depressing.
The farm bill is currently being debated in Congress, so another option is to call your representatives and tell them you oppose farm subsidies to rich corporate farmers.
10/10
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