Thursday, August 02, 2007
Democrats, Republicans, and the narcotic of political power
Today’s NY Times has a piece by Nicholas Kristof about farm subsidies and their supposed benefits. The Demicans, of course, has come up with a fine life extension for farm subsidies, for no reason other than vote-buying on the sly.
Farm subsidies cost, Kristof says, the average family about $320 a year. That’s not justified, you know? Millions of kids don’t have insurance, but about 5% of American farmers will benefit from the $1 Billion farm bill. We love that ethanol corn, but who gives a shit about children? Not the pols in D.C..
Here’s a crucial question from Kristof’s column:
There is a familiar trajectory when a political party takes power. At first, it brims with ideals. Then it makes compromises to stay in power. Finally, it becomes devoted simply to staying in office. Can Ms. Pelosi really have compressed this downward spiral into just six months?
My answer is “Yes.”
I'm Ripping You Off
New York Times, The (NY)
August 2, 2007
Author: NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Estimated printed pages: 3
YAMHILL, Ore.
One measure of the inanity of our national farm policy is that you, as a taxpayer, are paying me not to grow crops here in Oregon.
Democratic House leaders have rammed through another grotesque farm bill on the assumption that the only people who will pay attention will be the beneficiaries. Let's hope that they're wrong, because this is a classic example of weak-kneed politicians caving in to special interests.
I grew up on a sheep and cherry farm here in Yamhill, Ore., and still have some timberland outside of town. Every year I get paid $588 not to farm it, under the Conservation Reserve Program.
That's right: taxpayers are subsidizing a New York columnist not to plant crops in a forest in Oregon.
***
Maybe uninsured American children who can't get adequate health care could masquerade as cotton plants or cornstalks. Then the farm bill would shower them with money and care.
What's especially dispiriting is how quickly the House Democrats under Speaker Nancy Pelosi have tumbled from idealism to cynicism. The Democrats had promised reform -- but then the House leaders worried that scrapping welfare for farmers might hurt the re-election prospects of some newly elected Democrats. So they killed the reform proposals (which are backed by many rank-and-file Democrats).
***
There is a familiar trajectory when a political party takes power. At first, it brims with ideals. Then it makes compromises to stay in power. Finally, it becomes devoted simply to staying in office. Can Ms. Pelosi really have compressed this downward spiral into just six months?
President Bush had sought to place a ceiling on payments to any farmer of $200,000 per year, but the Democratic leaders have set it at $1 million ($2 million for a couple). Any time the Democrats find themselves fighting on behalf of fat cats, against a Republican White House that says enough is enough, it's time for the donkey to kick itself in the head.
Farm subsidies cost, Kristof says, the average family about $320 a year. That’s not justified, you know? Millions of kids don’t have insurance, but about 5% of American farmers will benefit from the $1 Billion farm bill. We love that ethanol corn, but who gives a shit about children? Not the pols in D.C..
Here’s a crucial question from Kristof’s column:
There is a familiar trajectory when a political party takes power. At first, it brims with ideals. Then it makes compromises to stay in power. Finally, it becomes devoted simply to staying in office. Can Ms. Pelosi really have compressed this downward spiral into just six months?
My answer is “Yes.”
I'm Ripping You Off
New York Times, The (NY)
August 2, 2007
Author: NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Estimated printed pages: 3
YAMHILL, Ore.
One measure of the inanity of our national farm policy is that you, as a taxpayer, are paying me not to grow crops here in Oregon.
Democratic House leaders have rammed through another grotesque farm bill on the assumption that the only people who will pay attention will be the beneficiaries. Let's hope that they're wrong, because this is a classic example of weak-kneed politicians caving in to special interests.
I grew up on a sheep and cherry farm here in Yamhill, Ore., and still have some timberland outside of town. Every year I get paid $588 not to farm it, under the Conservation Reserve Program.
That's right: taxpayers are subsidizing a New York columnist not to plant crops in a forest in Oregon.
***
Maybe uninsured American children who can't get adequate health care could masquerade as cotton plants or cornstalks. Then the farm bill would shower them with money and care.
What's especially dispiriting is how quickly the House Democrats under Speaker Nancy Pelosi have tumbled from idealism to cynicism. The Democrats had promised reform -- but then the House leaders worried that scrapping welfare for farmers might hurt the re-election prospects of some newly elected Democrats. So they killed the reform proposals (which are backed by many rank-and-file Democrats).
***
There is a familiar trajectory when a political party takes power. At first, it brims with ideals. Then it makes compromises to stay in power. Finally, it becomes devoted simply to staying in office. Can Ms. Pelosi really have compressed this downward spiral into just six months?
President Bush had sought to place a ceiling on payments to any farmer of $200,000 per year, but the Democratic leaders have set it at $1 million ($2 million for a couple). Any time the Democrats find themselves fighting on behalf of fat cats, against a Republican White House that says enough is enough, it's time for the donkey to kick itself in the head.
