Could Farm Subsidies be Rational?

[SoylentGreen]

Captain CardioBut to reiterate, I'm with you on wanting countries, especially the US, to drop subsidies, to positively effect a number of causes I care about, including cruelty to animals and global poverty.

I knew the government backed subs but thats the first time i have heard the military is promoting it to. How utterly bizzare.
Your right we don't advertise the consumption ratios but given the population density per sq. mile the odds are good we can support ourselves. Pretty well most of the land we have is capable of supporting agriculture. But admittidily I am guessing as well as looking back in time to the great depression when our markets collapsed and the people did become very much self relient.

I don't believe that the excuse that there might be a war is good enough not to cut subs. I do believe that the evidence that cutting subs actually improves farmers conditions is a good reason to attempt cutting subs.
I see no reason as to why it wouldn't be the same in america , Given that farmers would have to improve in efficiency and quality to survive and that without subs farmers would be forced to create sustainable food resources for their own benefit let alone the countries.

Basically it is my opinion that your farmers cannot compete with overseas market because the subs allow them to be lazy. Take away the subs and they will find a way to compete. Our dairy industry is absolute proof of that.

One question. Do you know how much money would come of the national deficit if subs were cut? Just how much money could the government be putting to better use and how would that effect the economy?

[Chancellor]

The government has no business subsidizing any industry or otherwise engaging in wealth-redistribution schemes.