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P.S.: It's ironic how many of the most vociferous critics of our current economic model are also the prime beneficiaries of its spoils. And indeed, how some of
by EliRivers 7y ago
P.S.: It's ironic how many of the most vociferous critics of our current economic model are also the prime beneficiaries of its spoils.
And indeed, how some of the people being systematically screwed over by it are so supportive of it. Relatedly, I recall reading in Michael Lewis' "Fifth Risk" that some rural beneficiaries of USDA loans and grants downplay (or outright hide) the source of the funding that's making significant differences in people's lives (sometimes such basic things as access to water or electricity), because the very people being helped disagree with being helped by the federal government.
- Mirioron 7y agoOn the other hand, if no other farmers are helped with grants, then the price of food would increase and they might not need help from the government. It might not be as illogical for them to not like help from the government while at the same time being helped.
- EliRivers 7y ago"On the other hand, if no other farmers are helped with grants" No other farmers? What are you talking about? I'm not talking about farmers. Who's talking about farmers? The USDA does an awful lot more than giving grants to farmers. An awful lot more. In some cases, rural communities would be without water and electricity without USDA grants. They subsidise school meals for poor children. They help people pay their rent. They are the source of food stamps under SNAP. They help people in rural areas get a mortgage to buy a house. They are so much more than grants to farmers, and they keep it quiet. They are effectively a rolling system of government assistance to some of the poorest and most cut-off communities in the US.
- Mirioron 7y agoI did not know that. I figured that the USDA only dealt with agriculture.