Published on the Libertarian Party of Florida website, July 18, 2013:
LIBERTARIAN OPPOSITION TO THE FARM BILL
House Republicans, especially those from Tea Party movement, like to claim that they are against excessive spending and subsidies that hinder a free market offering lower prices to consumers. Those principles are only in words contradicted by their support H.R. 2642, the Federal Agricultural Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (or FARRM), commonly referred to as the Farm Bill. The $195 billion bill was passed by a 216 – 208 vote, with only 12 Republicans not voting for it. This shows that Republicans are fine with welfare as long as it is going toward special interests. It also feeds the Democrats’ stereotyping of the GOP as uncaring for the poor while attentive to corporations.
While it seemed like a positive step forward to separate the Farm Bill and SNAP (food stamps) budget into two separate bills, it is the clear that while Republicans want to target SNAP for a $20.5 billion cut over 10 years – from its currently out-of-control budget of $78 billion per year – they made sure certain industries got subsidies while ready to cut it for individuals. Taking out the SNAP program make it look like a huge cut was made, but that’s only because half the decision is made and all of the costs are yet to be determined.
H.R. 2642 will cost $195 billion over 10 years. Taxpayer money will subsidize about 62% of premiums for farmers who have insurance to protect them against price fluctuations and allow them to lock-in higher market prices regardless of a farm’s crop size. In addition, about one-third of this $195 billion will go to the top 4% of farm operators, to include such corporations as Pilgrim’s Pride, which had $8.1 billion in revenues in 2012; and Riceland Foods, which had $1.1 billion in revenue in 2011. These aren’t the kinds of revenues that indicate a need for government subsidies.
Also, the bill maintained restrictions on the importing of foreign sugar, further removing Republicans from the ideals of a free market that would provide lower costs for sugar and everything made with sugar for American consumers. The sugar lobbyists have accomplished what they’re paid for making sure the sugar market is not free and fair.
The Libertarian Party believes that efforts by the government to redistribute wealth, or to control or manage trade, are improper in a free society. Instead, our as government is controlling the food market from production to insurance to consumer. Our principled stand leaves us opposed to the Farm Bill.
Of the 12 Florida Republicans in the House, 11 voted in favor of H.R. 2642; with only one, Ron DeSantis of Congressional District 6, voting against it. While Republicans may talk about cuts, they are still unashamed in benefitting their special interests. Tea party Republicans, in particular, violated their own proclaimed principles in their support of H.R. H.R. 2642
I would like to hear LP-Florida’s thoughts on the federal lynching of George Zimmerman for exercising his right to self-defense.
Actually he is the one who did the lynching, not the one being lynched. Too bad Trayvon Martin wasn’t armed.
Dork Watch troll onboard! Have a care!
That’s nice I guess, but this is more of a national LP issue.
I would like to hear LP-Florida’s thoughts on the federal lynching of George Zimmerman for exercising his right to self-defense.
For years the Farm Bill has been full of pork. It’s not really about the farmers, but rather about special interests that fund the lawmakers’ campaigns.