News US taxpayer dollars going to Brazilian cotton farms.

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The discussion highlights concerns over U.S. agricultural policy, particularly the practice of subsidizing both American and Brazilian cotton farmers. Critics argue that U.S. taxpayer dollars are being used inefficiently, with funds allocated to Brazilian farmers to prevent retaliatory tariffs on American goods, ultimately perpetuating a flawed system that prioritizes agribusiness subsidies. The conversation also touches on the absurdity of such policies, likening them to wasteful practices in other industries, such as the example of Ford's truck imports. Overall, there is a strong sentiment of frustration regarding government spending and the bureaucratic complexities that seem to favor large agribusinesses at the expense of taxpayers.
turbo
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It's bad enough that the US taxpayer has to pay subsidies to cotton farmers in the US - now, to stave off retaliatory tariffs on non-farm goods entering Brazil, we are giving subsidies to Brazilian cotton-growers. What a wonderful idea! :mad:

If you're perplexed, here's the short explanation: We're shoveling our taxpayer dollars to Brazilian farmers to make sure we can keep shoveling our taxpayer dollars to American farmers — which is, after all, the overriding purpose of U.S. agricultural policy. Basically, we're paying off foreigners to let us maintain our ludicrous status quo.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1978963,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-full-nation-related
 
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Well, that's less wasteful than the agricultural subsidies it backs. If self-flagellation is the only way other nations will let you take a bazooka to your head, we're (apparently) all for it.
 
My thoughts, as well. Why are we paying huge agribusinesses subsidies to grow crops in the first place? ~$150M "protection" money to protect billions in US subsidies? Can you spell waste? Sure, I knew you could. (Thanks, Mr. Rogers)
 
That's about what the EU pays to subidize tobacco farmers!

The funniest one I heard recently was,
Ford import trucks from their plants in europe with throw away extra seats installed.
They remove the seats and bury them in landfill, thus turning a 'bus' into a truck.
Apparently in the 60s Germany protested the US exporting cheap chickens and so the US put a penalty on imported trucks (but not cars/buses).
 
mgb_phys said:
That's about what the EU pays to subidize tobacco farmers!

The funniest one I heard recently was,
Ford import trucks from their plants in europe with throw away extra seats installed.
They remove the seats and bury them in landfill, thus turning a 'bus' into a truck.
Apparently in the 60s Germany protested the US exporting cheap chickens and so the US put a penalty on imported trucks (but not cars/buses).
Oh, man! Is there any sanity left? Are we destined to extinction by corruption and bureaucracy (Vogon syndrome)?
 
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