Agriculture
I voted against the 2008 Farm Bill for several reasons, but the two main ones were that we simply could not afford the $290 billion price tag and most of the subsidies were going to the wealthiest farmers.
We were told that changes in the rules would correct these disparities. However, the latest Agriculture Department records show that 10 percent of farmers received 62% of federal farm payments, roughly the same as in the last two years before this bill took effect.
U.S. farmers could be helped more by small tariffs on foreign agriculture products and a phasing out of subsidies.
If this subsidy money was placed back in the hands of consumers, they could easily afford the small increases caused by moderate tariffs.
Another big factor in increased food costs has been Agriculture Department rules and regulations that have forced many small and medium-sized businesses out of the food industry.
This has been seen in East Tennessee over the years with the closure of several small meat packing companies.