August 1, 2007 at 10:58 am

thanx Tim: that was pretty interesting. i believe Anderson Cooper is a reporter with integrity, this report called “Keeping Them Honest” hopefully will make some waves, stir some discussion at the very least. the segment showed how much of the our tax dollars is going to millionaires living in luxury, more than one who says they don’t need it but will take it, including the likes of some very well-known people who have farm plots like David Letterman and Scottie Pippen and billionnaires Ted Turners and David Rockefellar, even two congressmen are in this category. even over $1.1 billion have gone to deceased just between 1999 and 2005. =/

the more farm acreage, the higher the subsidy, and even if one is rich enough to have much farm land they apply for and qualify for large subsidy checks! the arguments from the rich farmers were “agriculture is an investment in national security and the well-being of our country,” and “when you look at defense, and you look at all the other issues, it doesn’t even make a line,” inferring that the subsidies are just a drop in the bucket in comparison. (i’d like some crumbs from that table, wouldn’t you?) a great point was made that this government policy is a product of the great depression is in need of massive overhaul. yup, amendments! especially the fair trade portions that we working for.

Jim Lyon’s point was that 75% of the benefits from subsidies go to 10% of the producers. based on the atmosphere of his interview, in a studio, i have a feeling he said a lot more that we didn’t hear.

thanx for the heads up on this. i try to catch Cooper when i can, this was a reminder to set the vcr.

stay close,

sammi