Boy howdy. I respect all opinions as just that, opinions. I also understand that even I can be wrong.

I think most people are very aware of farm subsidies, which started back during the Great Depression, and how a disproportionate amount...goes to corporate/millionaire farmers.

And also that the 'family' farmers don't get nearly as much in subsidies/assistance...as the more politically powerful/larger agribusiness entities.

Most smaller farmers have to take loans before planting season...then hope it's a good year. Not to mention that they have huge capital costs in equipment, that are used only a small part of the year.

So my relatives, and other farms that are not part of large conglomerates, basically live on the edge year-to-year...in spite of some even receiving small subsidies (as long as they plant the correct crop).

And yes, it is definitely a hypocrisy when the larger corp's (who don't really need them) receive what is basically a 'government handout/welfare'...while so many rail against minority families who receive money simply to survive.

Why the great hypocrisy?

Which is also a good segue into those billion-dollar companies whose working employees who receive government assistance, because their wages are so low...which means that we are in effect subsidizing those large corporations also.

Why are most people fine with one so-called "government handout," yet so outraged...by the other?

Why the great hypocrisy?


Here's a good article that gives BOTH the pros/cons of farm subsidies...and a few reasons why of each.

Farm Subsidies (till here)


People need to do but a modicum of research, to find that individual farmer's impact from tariff's is huge and most would much prefer to sell on an open-market...in spite of government money off-sets.

When my wife and I were working, most of our investments were stock market linked.
When stocks collapsed of fell, we had time and income whilst waiting for the investments to recover.
We retired 24 years ago, encashed all funds, and put them into cash savings only.
Most were UK National Saving schemes, tax free and with inflation covered, plus a very small interest rate on top.
We did this, as we did not want to watch large falls, with no income if needed to cover them, plus being retired we did not want to spend a lot of time following markets.
It has worked out well for us.
Our capital has stayed pretty steady, and with the present rate of depletion, we should be good until we are about 109 years old.
After that things could get a little rocky!! :icon_wink:

Similar to us, we live on Social Security and a 4% rule (taking 4% of our investments as income.) and a 36 month cash buffer. Looking at various scenarios of recessions we should not be too impacted. A depression on the other hand could hurt.

IMHO, you are an extremely wise couple.

How old is the problem and how old are the tariffs? You can’t blame everything on the tariffs. The stock market is another example, warnings have been out there for at least 5 years that it is overvalued but if it corrects, tariffs will be blamed.

It’s a shame the issues with China weren’t addressed earlier and maybe they wouldn’t have enjoyed eating our lunch for so long.

Having immediate family in the farming business, I’m well aware of tariff impact and what is required for planting. What isn’t being addressed is that tariffs aren’t going to be the death knell of the small farmer, corporate farms will be.

So true, and it has been happening for a long time now.

Sadly it is not just small farmers, every aspect of our lives is being churned over by predatory capitalism.

Family doctors (primary care) almost do not exist - they can't compete.

Mom and Pop retail businesses are almost all gone - they can not compete.

Small local farmers - they can't compete.

The list extends into every aspect of our lives. If you are not familiar with the term, you should google it - Predatory capitalism.

Recession's are inevitable..Like ocean tides Highs Lows you just hold on ride the wave

And if you are riding the ship so to speak the captain --or whoever is actually steering the vessel-- is often as powerless as the rest of the passengers and crew to do much about the tide. It ebbs and flows.

Felt compelled to share this. I have known many a farmer. Not at all on subject but there is a lot of subject changing on this thread anyway;

ADVICE FROM AN OLD FARMER.
Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered… not yelled.
Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway.
Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life… Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Don ‘t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around..
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.
Most times, it just gets down to common sense.