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Why are people in the US so concerned about farm subsidies when they account for such a small percentage of the total federal budget?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Even a small percentage of the total US federal budget can still be a fairly large sum of money, and subsidies amount to paying people to literally refrain from doing something productive.There are reasons that doing this could be beneficial overall, but it still bothers some people that the US is spending taxpayer money on something that has the perceived net effect of making their food cost more.
AnswerThe above response is a good example of the poor job we in agriculture are doing in educating the public. The kind of subsidies the above author refers to in the phrase,"refrain from doing something productive" were phased out years ago and replaced with programs which require the farmer to do something in return. The Conservation Reserve Program requires farmers to establish conservation plantings in areas not planted to the crops they normally would plant in order to conserve soil. Federal crop insurance programs might be something of a subsidy in that farmers pay a discounted rate for crop insurance which is also available from most carriers, just at a higher rate. The agency must still carry on the program the same way a regular carrrier would, just with no profit as such.The concept addressed in the original question is one of a matter of just this lack of education. The entire budget of the US Department of Agriculture is less than 4% of the total federal budget, and the amount devoted to farm and commodity programs is less than 2/3 of 1% of the federal budget, yet people prefer to focus on these things, rather than the fact that 70% of the USDA budget is for nutrition programs, mainly food stamps. If you want to focus on a particular problem, why not the federal debt which is now nearly four times the entire federal annual budget? No regular business would ever survive under that kind of debt load, yet our politicians continue to increase it with hardly a passing thought.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Why were federal and state governments willing to give land and subsidies to the railroad companies?
the federal and state governmernt willing to give land and subsidies to the railroad companies because they had more power
Why is chavez concerned about the growing power of the federal government?
Chavez was concerned about the growing power of the Federal Government because he is afraid it will effect his oil business.
What percentage of federal budget are federal employees?
13555568464363
In the 19th century protective tariffs subsidies for railroads and open immigration showed that the federal government followed a policy of?
support for economic development
What group was concerned with the federal government having too much power?
Anti federalists
Why were federal and state governments willing to give land and subsidies to the railroad companies?
the federal and state governmernt willing to give land and subsidies to the railroad companies because they had more power
What was established to reduce federal control and subsidies to Native American reservations were?
This question is not understandable.
How much was the mandatory amount spent on federal farm subsidies in 2008?
$7.5 billion
The goal of the agricultural adjustment act of 1933 was to raise farm income mainly through?
state and federal subsidies
Why is chavez concerned about the growing power of the federal government?
Chavez was concerned about the growing power of the Federal Government because he is afraid it will effect his oil business.
Are there any federal subsidies available for the installation of residential solar panels?
Yes, there are a variety of government subsidies available to help defray the significant costs of residential solar panel installations. These are offered by various state and local governments as well as federal agencies and have differing criterion depending upon where you are located.
If you are concerned about deceptive advertising which federal agency would you contact?
federal trade commission
What percentage of federal budget are federal employees?
13555568464363
What has the author James E Wallace written?
James E. Wallace has written: 'Orders of worship' 'Federal subsidies in rental housing'
What has the author Brian J Finegan written?
Brian J. Finegan has written: 'The federal subsidy beast' -- subject(s): Subsidies
What were the 3 parts of the American system?
The American System was made up of reinforcing parts: a tariff, a national bank and federal subsidies
Are there government subsidies for energy saving installing new windows?
There can be. You would need to check with your state and local government. Some have grant or rebates. The Federal government has income tax credit but no direct subsidies. Check with the IRS, there may be restrictions.
