Senators find sweet spot in ending benefits to millionaires: condemned for screwing over the country and ripping off the people

Senators find sweet spot in ending benefits to millionaire Senators find sweet spot in ending benefits to millionaires: Finding a rare piece of common ground when it comes to spending limits, Republicans and Democrats in the Senate voted overwhelmingly Friday morning to cut off federal farm payment handouts to farmers who already make more than $1 million a year.

Sweet spot? They better get rid of it. I first became aware of it 4 years ago. I am stunned that in our current financial situation some of the scum that are supposedly trying to remedy it are still groveling in the corporate welfare money pit.

Farm subsidies Corporate Welfare, Dead Farmers get Billions, Corporations get millions! More spent than on Homeland Defense!

Farm subsidies is the largest Corporate Welfare program with more given to them than we spend on Home Land Defense. Dead Farmers get Billions, Corporations get millions and needy farmers get nothing but for Willie Nelson!

Four years ago I became aware of this corruptive program I never realized before because it was well hidden by corruptive Politicians. I keep seeing more and more related information and because of all the unfolding corruption and problems this is getting no attention and it should!

Having gone to an Agricultural High School I am a Farmer by Vocation I worked on and managed many farms. Struggling small farmers was to me normal and just thought that was part of the hard but fun life of today's farmers. That was before I served my country, became an accountant, then turned to writing the truth about Bush and the ever growing corruption.

Thinking that Farm Subsidies were out there to help average farmers, I should have known better but I was really caught off guard when I became aware that Washington spends more on corporate welfare than on homeland security and farm subsidies are America's largest corporate welfare program.

Farms have come a long way since subsidies were introduced as a temporary solution to alleviate the effects of the Great Depression. Today farms have one of the lowest failure rates of any industry in the country. But that is because of the millionaire farmers subsidized by Politicians as the small farmer continues to be left to fail and helped only by Willie Nelson and Farm Aid.

If farm subsidies were really about alleviating farmer poverty, then lawmakers could guarantee every full-time farmer an income of 185 percent of the federal level ($38,203 for a family of four) for under $5 billion annually — one-fifth the current cost of farm subsidies. Instead, small farmers are largely excluded from farm subsidies. Farm subsidy payments are based on acreage, so by definition, the largest agribusiness's get the largest subsidies. Consequently, commercial farmers — who report an average income of $200,000 and net worth of nearly $2 million — now collect the majority of farm subsidies. Most farm subsidy dollars go to millionaires.

The Environmental Working Groups farm subsidy database reveals that from 1995 to 2005, farm subsidies have been distributed to Fortune 500 companies such as John Hancock Life Insurance ($2,849,799) and Westvaco ($534,210); as well as celebrity hobby farmers like David Rockefeller ($553,782) and Ted Turner ($206,948). Even Members of Congress who vote on farm legislation have received subsidies, such as Sen. Charles Grassley (I-Iowa, $225,041) and Rep. John Salazar (D-Colo., $161,084). Farm subsidies for millionaires

Then like all the rest of the underhanded activities going on today it gets worse. I found out the U.S. Department of Agriculture distributed $1.1 billion over seven years to the estates or companies of deceased farmers and routinely failed to conduct reviews required to ensure that the payments were properly made, according to a government report. In a selection of 181 cases from 1999 to 2005, the Government Accountability Office found that officials approved payments without any review 40 percent of the time.

The report cited a 1,900-acre soybean and corn farm in Illinois that collected $400,000 on behalf of an owner who lived in Florida before his death in 1995. The company did not notify the government of the death but certified each year that the dead shareholder, who owned 40 percent of the company, was "actively engaged" in managing the farm. again the more you hear the worse it gets

In that report we hear from,Surprise! Senator Grassley of all people that these programs are to help- "needy" farmers, that to him is needy Millionaire corporate farmers. Knowing this Billion dollar corporate Welfare system has been going on at least under my radar can anyone really expect the no over sight, corruption champion Bush to veto the $300 billion farm bill expected to come before the U.S. House of Representatives this week? No way!

The farm bill, which includes $35 billion in crop subsidies for farmers, also contains production incentives that would benefit some of the world's biggest food companies, including Tyson Foods Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland Co.

This Bill did pass because many Republicans wanted it themselves an it primarily benefits wealthy Corporations not Needy or small family farmers. In steps Willie Nelson and Farm Aid. I have to say that I never realized how valuable him and farm aid was to average farmers. His help is priceless and often the only way small farmers in "serious" trouble can turn.

Willie is still Working to keep family farmers on their land, Farm Aid brings together family farmers and citizens to guarantee family farm food is available to you. Together we can restore family farm-centered agriculture that ensures safe, healthful food, protects natural resources, and strengthens local economies. Please learn more about Willie and farm aid!

I guess when all is said and done it should be no surprise that every single program that can be used to help the wealthy, is and as usual if average Americans are to get help they cannot rely on the Government but must rely on private interests as Katrina has highlighted.

Are we ever going to be able to get our Government honest and helping those that really need it? These S.O.B's did not hit the sweet spot, they should be condemned for screwing over the country and ripping off the people.

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Corporate welfare! Farm subsidies Corporate Welfare, Dead Farmers get Billions, Corporations get millions! A Veto I agree with!

I am trying to take a bit of a down day today so I will stay off my usual subject of the chief idiot, his underhanded power grab, and improved American Fascism. I did a story last july highlighting that once again I for one was hoodwinked. I actually thought the farm subsidies were to help needy farmers then I found out the truth! Farm subsidies is our largest Corporate Welfare program with more given to them than we spend on Home Land Defense which by the way is being cut by 50%. Dead Farmers get Billions, Corporations get millions and needy farmers get nothing but for Willie Nelson!A while back I became aware of another corruptive program I never realized before because it was well hidden by corruptive Politicians. I keep seeing more and more related information and because of all the unfolding corruption and problems this is getting no attention and it should!Having gone to an Agricultural High School I am a Farmer by Vocation I worked on and managed many farms. Struggling small farmers was to me normal and just thought that was part of the hard but fun life of today's farmers. That was before I served my country, became an accountant, then turned to writing the truth about Bush and the ever growing corruption.

Thinking that Farm Subsidies were out there to help average farmers, I should have known better but I was really caught off guard when I became aware that Washington spends more on corporate welfare than on homeland security and farm subsidies are America's largest corporate welfare program.Farms have come a long way since subsidies were introduced as a temporary solution to alleviate the effects of the Great Depression. Today farms have one of the lowest failure rates of any industry in the country. But that is because of the millionaire farmers subsidized by Politicians as the small farmer continues to be left to fail and helped only by Willie Nelson and Farm Aid. These rapidly growing food prices have absolutely nothing to do with family farms making obsessive or even decent profits. It is all about speculation, food commodities, and Government subsidized corporate welfare!If farm subsidies were really about alleviating farmer poverty, then lawmakers could guarantee every full-time farmer an income of 185 percent of the federal level ($38,203 for a family of four) for under $5 billion annually — one-fifth the current cost of farm subsidies. Instead, small farmers are largely excluded from farm subsidies. Farm subsidy payments are based on acreage, so by definition, the largest agribusiness's get the largest subsidies.

Consequently, commercial farmers — who report an average income of $200,000 and net worth of nearly $2 million — now collect the majority of farm subsidies. Most farm subsidy dollars go to millionaires.The Environmental Working Groups farm subsidy database reveals that from 1995 to 2005, farm subsidies have been distributed to Fortune 500 companies such as John Hancock Life Insurance ($2,849,799) and Westvaco ($534,210); as well as celebrity hobby farmers like David Rockefeller ($553,782) and Ted Turner ($206,948). Even Members of Congress who vote on farm legislation have received subsidies, such as Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa, $225,041) and Rep. John Salazar (D-Colo., $161,084).Then like all the rest of the underhanded activities going on today it gets worse. I found out the U.S. Department of Agriculture distributed $1.1 billion over seven years to the estates or companies of deceased farmers and routinely failed to conduct reviews required to ensure that the payments were properly made, according to a government report. In a selection of 181 cases from 1999 to 2005, the Government Accountability Office found that officials approved payments without any review 40 percent of the time.

The report cited a 1,900-acre soybean and corn farm in Illinois that collected $400,000 on behalf of an owner who lived in Florida before his death in 1995. The company did not notify the government of the death but certified each year that the dead shareholder, who owned 40 percent of the company, was "actively engaged" in managing the farm. again the more you hear the worse it gets.In that report we hear from,Surprise! Senator Grassley of all people that these programs are to help- "needy" farmers, that to him is needy Millionaire corporate farmers. Knowing this Billion dollar corporate Welfare system has been going on at least under my radar can anyone really expect the no over sight, corruption champion Bush to veto the $300 billion farm bill expected to come before the U.S. House of Representatives this week? No way! The farm bill, which includes $35 billion in crop subsidies for farmers, also contains production incentives that would benefit some of the world's biggest food companies, including Tyson Foods Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland Co.

We knew the Bill would pass because many Republicans need it and it primarily benefits wealthy Corporations not Needy or small family farmers. Well it passed! The Senate on Friday approved a $286 billion farm bill with an election-year expansion of subsidies for growers and food stamps for the poor. With Food stamp use going up drastically since Bush thank God someone atached that to this Corporate welfare Program. Last July and Decembers story on this the House and the Senate

* I must say this is finally a veto I can agree with! I suggest you check out the link and see just how corruptive this Bill and the program is! So much for my down day! last December when I did a story on the Senates passing of the Bill they promised major changes early this spring. Well today I learn a A five-year, nearly $300 billion farm bill emerging on Capitol Hill appears to fall short of President Bush's goal of making big cuts in subsidies to affluent farmers. The question now is whether Mr. Bush will sign it. Under a tentative agreement reached by key members of the House and Senate, the bill would make only modest changes in support for farmers. The measure would end a practice that allows farmers in some cases to collect triple payments from the government. The legislation would only slightly trim so-called direct payments that annually provide commodity producers with income support. I recommend a Veto! Farm Bill Leaves Safety Net Intact for Corporate Welfare

James Joiner

Gardner Ma

http://www.anaveragepatriot.com/

Farm subsidies Corporate Welfare, Dead Farmers get Billions, Corporations get millions! More spent than on Homeland Defense!

                                                      

Farm subsidies is largest Corporate Welfare program with more given to them than we spend on Home Land Defense. Dead Farmers get Billions, Corporations get millions and needy farmers get nothing but for Willie Nelson!

A week and a half ago I became aware of another corruptive program I never realized before because it was well hidden by corruptive Politicians. I keep seeing more and more related information and because of all the unfolding corruption and problems this is getting no attention and it should!
Having gone to an Agricultural High School I am a Farmer by Vocation I worked on and managed many farms. Struggling small farmers was to me normal and just thought that was part of the hard but fun life of today's farmers. That was before I served my country, became an accountant, then turned to writing the truth about Bush and the ever growing corruption
.
Thinking that Farm Subsidies were out there to help average farmers, I should have known better but I was really caught off guard when I became aware that Washington spends more on corporate welfare than on homeland security and farm subsidies are America's largest corporate welfare program.

Farms have come a long way since subsidies were introduced as a temporary solution to alleviate the effects of the Great Depression. Today farms have one of the lowest failure rates of any industry in the country. But that is because of the millionaire farmers subsidized by Politicians as the small farmer continues to be left to fail and helped only by Willie Nelson and Farm Aid.

If farm subsidies were really about alleviating farmer poverty, then lawmakers could guarantee every full-time farmer an income of 185 percent of the federal level ($38,203 for a family of four) for under $5 billion annually — one-fifth the current cost of farm subsidies. Instead, small farmers are largely excluded from farm subsidies. Farm subsidy payments are based on acreage, so by definition, the largest agribusiness's get the largest subsidies. Consequently, commercial farmers — who report an average income of $200,000 and net worth of nearly $2 million — now collect the majority of farm subsidies. Most farm subsidy dollars go to millionaires.

The Environmental Working Groups farm subsidy database reveals that from 1995 to 2005, farm subsidies have been distributed to Fortune 500 companies such as John Hancock Life Insurance ($2,849,799) and Westvaco ($534,210); as well as celebrity hobby farmers like David Rockefeller ($553,782) and Ted Turner ($206,948). Even Members of Congress who vote on farm legislation have received subsidies, such as Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa, $225,041) and Rep. John Salazar (D-Colo., $161,084).
http://www.foxnews.com/...
 
Then like all the rest of the underhanded activities going on today it gets worse. I found out the U.S. Department of Agriculture distributed $1.1 billion over seven years to the estates or companies of deceased farmers and routinely failed to conduct reviews required to ensure that the payments were properly made, according to a government report. In a selection of 181 cases from 1999 to 2005, the Government Accountability Office found that officials approved payments without any review 40 percent of the time.

The report cited a 1,900-acre soybean and corn farm in Illinois that collected $400,000 on behalf of an owner who lived in Florida before his death in 1995. The company did not notify the government of the death but certified each year that the dead shareholder, who owned 40 percent of the company, was "actively engaged" in managing the farm. again the more you hear the worse it gets. http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
 
In that report we hear from,Surprise! Senator Grassley of all people that these programs are to help- "needy" farmers, that to him is needy Millionaire corporate farmers. Knowing this Billion dollar corporate Welfare system has been going on at least under my radar can anyone really expect the no over sight, corruption champion Bush to veto the $300 billion farm bill expected to come before the U.S. House of Representatives this week? No way!

The farm bill, which includes $35 billion in crop subsidies for farmers, also contains production incentives that would benefit some of the world's biggest food companies, including Tyson Foods Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland Co.
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/...
 
This Bill will pass because many Republicans need it an it primarily benefits wealthy Corporations not Needy or small family farmers. In steps Willie Nelson and Farm Aid. I have to say that I never realized how valuable him and farm aid was to average farmers. His help is priceless and often the only way small farmers in "serious" trouble can turn.

Willie is Working to keep family farmers on their land, Farm Aid brings together family farmers and citizens to guarantee family farm food is available to you. Together we can restore family farm-centered agriculture that ensures safe, healthful food, protects natural resources, and strengthens local economies. Please learn more about Willie and farm aid! http://www.farmaid.org/...
 
I guess when all is said and done it should be no surprise that every single program that can be used to help the wealthy, is and as usual if average Americans are to get help they cannot rely on the Government but must rely on private interests as Katrina has highlighted.

Are we ever going to be able to get our Government honest and helping those that really need it?

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot

Emergency spending Bill tied to Iraq withdrawal, Bush Promises veto, Wouldn't he be guilty of not supporting the troops?

Emergency spending Bill tied to Iraq Withdrawal, Bush promise's Veto, wouldn't he be the guilty party? Would anything stop him from staying the couse and attacking Iran??

I heard this earlier today but didn't think too much about it until I thought it over and realized what it would mean. I really have to laugh! You would now have a date for Bush's attack on Iran. I have to laugh when Democrats think they can stop anything. They are well intentioned but powerless. Bush will merely attack Iran before any stop date came into effect if it did. The only thing this is going to do is give you the date when Bush will attack Iran. I refuse to believe they think they are going to top the chief idiot from his plan for new world (dis) order.

Antiwar lawmakers Thursday called on colleagues in the House of Representatives to set a "clear timeline" for an immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, challenging fellow Democrats to assume the political risk of ending the war.

In a press conference, members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Out of Iraq Caucus proposed legislation that would require Congress fully to fund the safe and secure withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by December 31, 2007.

The groups' proposal comes as the Democratic House leadership unveiled a measure that calls for the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq by the fall of 2008 -- or by the end of this year if President Bush is unable to show the Iraqi government is meeting certain established benchmarks. http://www.cnn.com/...

That's CNN, This is Fox's take!
In a direct challenge to President Bush's strategy for Iraq, The plan would have troops redeploying as early as July of this year but no later than March 2008, and full combat withdrawal by August 2008.

At the same time Senate Democrats were preparing their own bill with binding legislation that would require a withdrawal from Iraq to begin no less than 120 days After the legislation is enacted with the goal of redeployment by March 31, 2008."

The Senate legislation, built on the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, lists three exceptions. The slim Democratic majority in the Senate reduces its chances of success.

The House legislation, to be attached to the $100 billion emergency supplemental war spending bill that Bush has requested to pay for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, is the first of its kind to establish a specific timetable for the end of U.S. combat in the four-year-old war. http://www.foxnews.com/...

I absolutely love the idea of tying the supplemental war spending Bill to a troop withdrawal however with the chief idiot even under those conditions, threatening veto. Obviously, the administration would vehemently oppose and ultimately veto any legislation that looks like what was described today (on Thursday)," senior Bush adviser Dan Bartlett told reporters as the president traveled to Brazil. http://www.news24.com/...

With all the dates and conditions being bandied about I have to wonder if the issue can be tied up until it is too late to serve any purpose and I have to ask, the chief idiot really veto it? Isn't that cutting off your nose to spite your face? Wouldn't that make him the party that would be guilty of not funding the troops just so he can get his way?

When all is said and done what ever dates are agreed on if any. They will merely prove to be the benchmark of Bush to attack Iran which is the real reason Bush must stay in Iraq. I fully expect him to attack some time this year anyway so setting dates id worthless. He will attack Iran and if necessary move up the date to keep the Democrat's powerless to stop him.

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com