Powell on the National Guard

Al Dykes wrote:

For "farmers" substitute "ADM, Inc" ("Archer Daniels Midland"), far
and away the single biggest beneficiary of the subsidies, and a huge
campaign donor to both parties. See Cato Institute's

"Archer Daniels Midland: A Case Study In Corporate Welfare"
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa241es.html

Cato describes itself as a conserviative think tank, which they
indeed are.

ADM has been CONVICTED AND FINED in what was at the time the biggest
antitrust fine in history. Corn-related in that there is a byproduct
of corn-ethanol production a valuable industrial byproduct; Lecithin.
Because of the subsidies ADM was able to produce and lecithin for
free, and undercut all the competition.

Actually, I think there are three primary companies farmers
sell their crops to. ADM is one, the names of the other two
elude me at the moment.

Big agribusiness companies that increasingly, don't even own the
huge amount of land they "farm". The farmer owns the land, takes
all the risks in producing the crop, then hands it over to company.
No shopping around for a best price.

Farming: It's a tough business!


SMH