America Feeds the Rich

[marmar]

from In These Times:





America Feeds the Rich
If the Farm Bill passes, it will literally take food out of the mouths of babes.

BY Leo Gerard, United Steelworkers President


The Farm Bill that is expected to pass the U.S. House this week explains income inequality in America.

The Republican-sponsored proposal slashes food stamps for poor children and pads farm subsidies for wealthy agri-businessmen.

This comes just a week after Senate Republicans refused to protect the poorest students from doubled college loan interest rates because that required closing tax loopholes that benefit big corporations. It comes just weeks after a new study showed the Walmart heirs, among the richest people in the world, pay their workers so little that taxpayers fork over billions to subsidize Walmart’s payroll through programs like–food stamps.

This all violates America’s cherished ideal of equal opportunity. Americans strive to achieve believing they have the same chance at success as everyone else and, more importantly, that the egalitarian American system will provide their children with a level playing field on which to attain their full potential. Americans believe their government should maintain that level field. But it does not. Not when poor students are denied access to low-interest college loans while Washington charges Wall Street virtually no interest. Not when the House farm bill feeds the rich and starves the poor. ....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://inthesetimes.com/article/15166/america_feeds_the_rich/

[ananda]

1. Jesus weeps.

..

[Recursion]

2. OK, what's your plan? The option is to have no food stamps.

I hate the bill too. What I won't do is listen to Democrats be trashed for voting for it. Nothing better is coming out of the House.

[handmade34]

3. let's hope...

"Obama threatens to veto House farm bill"
http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/agriculture/306043-obama-threatens-to-veto-house-farm-bill

What is the history of the Farm Bill?

The first Farm Bill, the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 (each one has a name), was created to address rock bottom prices (corn prices actually hit $0), national hunger, soil erosion, lack of credit and unfair export practices. Since then, there have been 15 Farm Bills which have, in one way or another, addressed these issues. Unfortunately, a number of the original programs, which were designed to ensure that there was healthy food for all and fair prices for farmers, have been stripped away or replaced with programs that benefit corporate interests over the interests of farmers and eaters.

http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2739785/apps/s/content.asp?ct=3941443

What does corporate concentration in agriculture mean?

The term concentration describes the control that a small number of corporations have over the whole of food production, marketing and consumption. The U.S. agricultural sector suffers from abnormally high levels of concentration, a trend that has forced thousands of independent family farmers off the land. It has also caused serious damage to rural economies, public health, the environment and limits choices for good food at the grocery store.

http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.8586841/k.382D/Corporate_Power_in_Agriculture/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=qlI5IhNVJsE&b=8586841&en=4dLxEFNfE3JGIPNiG2JDLMPtEeJAJMPqFeLHKPMyFnLXE