Louis Gohmert's Exquisitely Dumb Solution To The Unemployment Problem

Congressman Louis Gohmert (R-Tex.) is a spectacularly unserious legislator, but Adam Serwer finds him pitching a solution to the unemployment crisis that tips even his decidedly screwed-up scales:

We have people on welfare and I know there's some that just don't wanna work, but there's some that do. How 'bout if instead of the welfare, we give 'em an alternative. We'll give you so many acres that can provide land where you can live off of it, make a living and we'll give you seed money to start, but you have to sign an agreement that you'll never accept welfare again. How 'bout that? We got plenty of land.

One doesn't know where to begin. I don't know how you seriously get any kind of economic growth through this sort of ridiculously inefficient allocation of resources, where people who lack the skill set to farm are dumped on parcels of land and told to work the earth for their income. Speaking of, where are we getting all this land from anyway? Are we buying up parcels of land to give away to people, or are we giving away assets that are already taxpayer-owned? Seems complicated and expensive to me. Why not just do more to help struggling Americans avoid foreclosures on the properties they already own?

But beyond that, he'd ask these people to forswear welfare? There's no way on earth that I'd agree to become a farmer and simultaneously cut myself out of that sweet, sweet government subsidy action. How do you think some of these Tea Partiers are getting paid?

RELATED:
40 Acres And A Fool [Adam Serwer]

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Comments

[fabshelly]

05:46 PM on 11/09/2010

Only if I get a mule with my 40 acres.

[HST]

09:37 PM on 10/03/2010

This bit of republicant "policy" ranks right up there with the 3 page healthcare reform proposal.

[Cambridge9]

09:59 AM on 10/02/2010

Mr. Gomert - some questions need to be answered if what you suggest is to be considered legitimate.

Are you suggesting another Homestead Act?     If so:--------- 
1.  Whose land are you ready to give away?
2.  Did you get permission from the people of Texas to give their land away?

Since many people who are out of work may never have set foot on 'real' dirt,
   1.  Who will provide the new homesteaders with training for the various types of farming which might apply?
   2.  Will free water access/rights apply for agri-farming and/or raising chickens/cattle/sheep/goats, etc. - or
    3.  If water rights are not included with you double/triple the amount of 'high/dry' land for development into grain enterprises.  Of course the new homesteaders will need $'multi-thousand' machinery for much of this farming because I doubt that the '160 acres and a mule' will work well in today's economy.

[angry in ct]

05:55 PM on 10/01/2010

Here's a sneak peek into the kind of agrarian world Gohmert is advocating
Hope ya like it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xd_zkMEgkI

[MNKen]

12:25 PM on 10/01/2010

This qualifies as one of the Thoughts for the Ages...the middle ages. Serfs, indentured servants? You really want to go back to that way of life Mr Gohmert?

Let me guess, you think it would be fine because you grew up thinking Jan and Dean were singing "Serf City, here we come."

[BlackJAC]

11:20 AM on 10/01/2010

Plot Hole with your 40 Acres & A Mule Revisited plan there, Louie: they could end up hiring illegal immigrants to work the land when they're not accepting those socialist farm subsidy checks to not have the land worked at all.

[rmhopper3]

03:19 AM on 10/02/2010

you mean the largely republican business interests that are hiring illegal immigrants to make money for their already profitable scams ...I mean businesses

[nfatt1]

10:48 AM on 10/01/2010

Lets offer the same deal to Gomer if he promises to never speak again.

[TJ RN]

10:40 AM on 10/01/2010

I grew up on a farm. Even with the advancements in agriculture there were many factors out of a farmers control. Mainly the weather. One draught or flood and an entire years food plot could be wiped out. Then where would these people turn.

This is just added to the authors points.

[NJProgressiveIndie]

10:21 AM on 10/01/2010

Gohmert Pyle rides again...

[blinkthink]

08:48 AM on 10/01/2010

I understand the absolute tingle of excitement, the intense thrill a Republican would get to permanently deny people welfare. But reality and Gohmert's backatwards plan is so far removed from realitIy it defies description-so sad he is paid to repeat this plan.
I get pictures of 'Grapes of Wrath' in my head. In Indiana, we are under fire warnings-that never happens-it's scorched earth here. Extreme weather will continue no matter who is in denial, but that's another untruth, isn't it?

[BittyBittyChangChang]

06:17 AM on 10/01/2010

...And you think it couldn't happen in America? Let's just cut to the chase and just grind people into the dirt. Yes, Gohmert is a loon, but don't for a moment think he is the only one in elected office or running for office that has these "40 acres and a mule" style solution to what they see as society's ills. The only difference is that they have been smart enough (so far) to keep these particular proposals to themselves--but they are out there. I'm still waiting for the Scroogey "Are there no workhouses, are there no prisons?..." ...actually Paladrino has already gone there: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/08/21/paladino-convert-prisons-to-welfare-dorms/ . Are you ready to vote yet, America?

[gsmp]

07:45 AM on 10/01/2010

Paladino needs a 6night/7day all expenses paid visit to beautiful, spacious, historicAttica!

[Cambridge9]

10:15 AM on 10/02/2010

OH, I would volunteer to take the room right next door to his - just to I could record his comments during his vacation.  

[Jaybot]

12:05 AM on 10/01/2010

"Exquisitely Dumb", how appropriate. If you've never had the pleasure, this Gohmert fellow is always wasting time giving special order speeches. Tune in C-SPAN and check it out - it's like a comedy cavalcade.

[blinkthink]

08:18 AM on 10/01/2010

Gohmie and Burton get their facts from Beck and go on the House floor repeating totally mindless drivel. It's a travesty to have such unqualified candidates on the taxpayer dole.

[Cambridge9]

10:17 AM on 10/02/2010

Every evening - for a couple of hours at a time.

I really believe he likes to hear himself talking!!

[ForVivi]

12:05 AM on 10/01/2010

Next he might try growing potatoes in his ears.

[NJProgressiveIndie]

10:22 AM on 10/01/2010

I thought that thing between his ears WAS a potato...

[citizen of the universe]

12:05 AM on 10/01/2010

First it was terror babies now this, if nothing else, he has one heck of an imagination!

[SDB2]

11:41 PM on 09/30/2010

Goehmert has needed a MRI scan for years. Seriously Louie, get Help.