US taxpayer dollars going to Brazilian cotton farms.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of US taxpayer dollars to subsidize Brazilian cotton farms as a means to prevent retaliatory tariffs on American goods. Participants express their views on the implications of agricultural subsidies, both domestically and internationally, and question the rationale behind such financial support.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express frustration over US taxpayer money being used to subsidize Brazilian farmers to maintain subsidies for American farmers, viewing it as a flawed policy.
  • Others suggest that the subsidies to Brazilian farmers may be less wasteful compared to the agricultural subsidies they support.
  • Concerns are raised about the overall effectiveness and necessity of agricultural subsidies, with one participant questioning the rationale behind paying large agribusinesses for crop production.
  • One participant draws a parallel between US agricultural subsidies and EU subsidies for tobacco farmers, highlighting perceived absurdities in subsidy practices.
  • Another participant shares a humorous anecdote about Ford's import practices related to trucks, illustrating the complexities and perceived irrationalities of trade and subsidy policies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express dissatisfaction with the current subsidy practices, but there is no consensus on the effectiveness or necessity of the subsidies themselves. Multiple competing views on the implications of these policies remain present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific financial figures and historical trade practices, but the discussion does not resolve the underlying assumptions or complexities related to agricultural subsidies and international trade policies.

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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