Macomb, IL – Anti-government extremists often bleat knee-jerk criticisms of federal programs - and ideas like reforming health care so hard-working Americans aren't forced into bankruptcy or worse. But in reality, government assistance is vital in situations where private enterprises cannot or will not provide services - and some conservatives even quietly acknowledge the effectiveness of such government involvement.
In fact, five well-known conservatives together listed 15 government programs that achieve their goals. George Will, Ben Stein, John Kasich, Bob Dornan and Richard Viguerie separately named the following government programs as effective: rural electrification, the G.I. Bill, the Interstate highway system, the FBI, the National Institute of Health, public libraries, youth summer jobs, Federal Deposit Insurance, the Federal Aviation Administration, Social Security, lighthouses, Head Start, Medicare, prisons and food stamps.
Speaking of food, nowhere does government help more than in supporting farmers.
According to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture figures compiled by the Environmental Working Group's "Farm Subsidy Database." Illinois ranks third in the nation in states receiving aid, with two-thirds of all farmers receiving some sort of government payments. In a few west-central Illinois counties, corn subsidies make up between 72% and 79% of USDA program payments.
In Knox County, 2,600 people received $196 million in subsidies from 1995-2006. Inness Farm R&R was a top recipient, getting $2.3 million during that time, averaging $199,000 a year, with a median of $206,000.
In McDonough County, 2,677 people received $163 million in subsidies from 1995-2006. The Kelso Brothers Partnership was a top recipient, getting $1.2 million during that time, averaging $106,000 a year, with a median of $82,000.
In Warren County, 2,222 people received $184 million in subsidies from 1995-2006. Monmouth Warehouse Services, Inc. was a top recipient, getting more than $1 million during that time, averaging $100,000 a year, with a median of $69,000.
Some criticize farm subsidies as bailouts akin to helping big banks since high farm prices in years such as 2007 boosted farmers' net incomes higher - despite high prices for diesel fuel, fertilizer and seed. Net income exceeded $84,000 per farm household in 2007, compared to $66,000 for all U.S. households in 2006, the EWG says.
EWG president Ken Cook said, "Over 60% of the subsidy was pocketed by just 10% of the recipients - the largest and generally wealthiest subsidized farming operations in the country. Congressional leaders are catering to the powerful farm subsidy lobby at the expense of ordinary American taxpayers."
But farmers aren't Wall Street barons and farmers' average incomes aren't like the average incomes of corporate execs or physicians. Indeed, farmers' 2007 average net income of was healthy, but it pales next to most CEOs, some of whom lead financial firms that received enormous bailouts for terrible decisions that they made. Farmers make mistakes, too, but without subsidies stabilizing agriculture, farmers would face a future more fickle than the usual unknowns of weather, pests, plant disease, and market manipulations by increasingly concentrated agribusiness conglomerates.
U.S. society needs food - and family farmers - much more than risky financial gimmicks pulled by greedy corporations toying with mortgage markets. It's an investment in our neighbors and our future.