First, let me say that I have nothing against the federal government supporting farmers, especially if we’re talking about small, not mega-corporate, farms. But this just out by the Associated Press illustrates the hypocrisy (as if we need more illustrations) when it comes to government support in a manner that fits the socialism bill for some beneficiaries, but not others.
Thanks to the government paying nearly 40% of their income, U.S. farmers are expected to end 2020 with higher profit than 2019 and the best net income in seven years, the Department of Agriculture said in its latest farm income forecast.
(bold mine)
The government can’t help restaurants and their owners and employees suffering in the pandemic, or only throw a few crumbs, but the government can help farmers suffering from Donald Trump’s idiotic trade wars make a profit. A profit? How many small businesses — even essential ones — survived let alone made a profit?
It’s not the largess, it’s who gets it. What else is new?
There were of course other factors affecting crop prices and yields. And there were differences in who received how much. And there were other existing mechanisms (i.e., socialist programs) supporting farms. But on balance, the farmers did relatively well considering:
Federal court bankruptcy data indicates 433 U.S. farms filed for reorganization as of Sept. 30, down from 454 during the same period the previous year.
Better than survival. How many restaurants and other small businesses — even essential ones — survived the year?