Many fiscal conservatives are watching Republican office holders very closely these days to try to gauge whether Republicans are serious about fiscal discipline or merely hungover from the last spending binge.
They preach fiscal conservatism, but farm subsidies seem to reside in their blind spot. Fortunately, sources like Dailycaller.com are there to call them out. For example, this article is ostensibly about Haley Barbour, but the point about farm subsidies is general. See:
The reasons Republicans have trouble prying themselves away from government welfare programs for farming are varied. For starters, farming interests have a major footprint in the world of Washington lobbying. The American Farm Bureau has spent more than $60 million on lobbyists since 2000, and the farming interest groups donate mightily to both parties in each election cycle. Many of the most conservative members of the Republican House and Senate represent agriculture states, and bring in millions of federal dollars for their state in subsidies. (Emphasis added.)
The state of Iowa, which plays a starring role in the presidential primary election each cycle because of its early primary schedule and relies heavily on federal subsidies, also makes it difficult for candidates like Barbour to come out against them.
Got sacred cows? Just rope 'em, throw and brand 'em. Rawhide.
Comments