The Farm Subsidy Ripoff: A Test for the CBC

It is budget time in the Congress. Democrats must lead with their response to the President's budget proposals. Other groupings such as the Republican Conference, the Blue Dog Coalition and the Congressional Black Caucus are allowed to offer alternative budgets. High on the agenda is a debate on the farm subsidy. Even a disgusted White House is demanding change. For members of the CBC there is a clear window of opportunity to end an almost criminal waste and redirect precious funds to health care, education or job training. The CBC must stand firm against a continuation of this agri-business abuse which long ago abandoned poor minority farmers.

8,000 dollars is the maximum TANF subsidy that a family of four fortunate enough to live in a state with humane welfare policies can expect. 265,000 dollars is the limit that was proposed for each farmer as a cap for farm crop subsidies; however, this amendment was defeated in the 109th Congress on the floor of the House and there is presently no cut-off amount for the give-away to farmers.

Added to the routine subsidies farmers may receive drought relief grants when there is too little rain or flood relief payments when it is proclaimed that there is too much rain. Other special support programs include home loan programs which at one point in the last decade were reported to total more than fourteen billion dollars in defaults.

During the brief period when some urban grassroots agencies were awarded federal community action grants the employees were often smeared as "poverty pimps"; however, a really deeply entrenched and enduring pimping system can be found in the elaborate structure of credit committees and old boy clubs under the sponsorship of the Department of Agriculture spread throughout the South, Midwest and West. In coordination with the payoffs to their Washington protection infrastructure this tiny constituency occupying less than thirty congressional districts is now mobilized for a renewal of the gravy train authorization. Reason and justice will not prevail unless the representatives of victimized taxpayers assume a counter-attacking posture and hold the line. CBC members represent families who are twice assaulted by the agriculture-industry complex greed. The bully farm lobbyists drain vital dollars away from safety net needs and also force urban dwellers to pay higher prices for food.

Irrational and emotional rhetoric lavishly applied by the Blue Dog Coalition members should be expected by C-Span viewers. Some of Washington's most convoluted logic will be on display by this powerful group which appears to promote government frugality by demonizing children on welfare while it fiercely fights for endless free lunches for agri-business fat cats. In the last congress CBC members from several southern states felt duty bound to support subsidy farm quotas since a few minority farmsteads may benefit. A simple survey, however, will expose the fact that no significant number of Blacks or poor farmers still participates in the division of the loot.

The charges will get serious and sometimes even bitter. CBC members must beware of the dairy state lobby which for years, in order to keep prices high, mandated that inner- city children in the Department of Agriculture free lunch program had to drink whole milk regardless of any lactose intolerance.

If CBC members lead the fight the damage of the continuing agri-business massacre may be reduced if not eliminated. The message: Channel agri-subsidies out of greed-laden lanes. When nature holds its reins let agri-corps take their losses like all other bosses. In the muddy market place hogs deserve no green taxpayer lace -- and no preferential ribbons.