Trump to Farmers: 'LOVE YOU!' But I Still Want to Cut Your Subsidies

[left-of-center2012]

President Donald Trump’s "I LOVE YOU!" tweet to farmers is facing another challenge: Budget cuts that will slash subsidies for crop insurance and small growers.

Trump’s 2020 budget, released Monday, calls for a 15 percent funding drop for the Department of Agriculture, citing “overly generous” subsidies. The president is seeking one of the largest-ever cuts to domestic discretionary spending in a $4.7 trillion fiscal 2020 budget proposal that also boosts defense spending and adds $8.6 billion for building a border wall.

The plan would trim the USDA budget by $3.6 billion to $20.8 billion, lowering subsidies for crop insurance premiums to 48 percent from 62 percent, and limiting subsidies for growers who make less than $500,000 annually.

In December, the president tweeted, “Farmers, I LOVE YOU!” On Monday, the National Farmers Union criticized the White House budget proposal, saying, "It’s time the president’s policy proposals and rhetoric acknowledge the financial pain in farm country.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-11/trump-to-farmers-love-you-but-still-cutting-your-subsidies?srnd=premium

[allgood33]

1. One move I will agree with Trump. Those farm subsidies are a big racket. Have been for decades.

Small farmers never get what the big farmers do to not grow anything.

[Dickster]

2. Farmers are not paid

To not grow crops! Those programs went by the wayside 35 years ago.

[maxrandb]

5. Please don't agree with this dipshit about ANYTHING!

Someone sane can help alleviate the issue with farm subsidies.

You know that what this asshole will do is CUT subsidies to California, Oregon and Washington farm subsidies, and increase them in the "red" states.

I don't give a fuck if the fuckstick says that "water is wet". Don't agree with him IN ANY FUCKING SENSE of the word, because trust me...he'll only say "Water is Wet" if it somehow enriches his dickwad family and screws you over.

Fuck agreeing with this prick about ANYTHING!

[roamer65]

3. Good. Let them feel the pain.

Maybe a few will have the “epiphany”.

[Buckeyeblue]

4. My understanding is the subsidies come in the way of very cheap crop insurance

That will basically pay out the same as what the farmers would earn on their crops if the crops fail due to poor weather. Without this, small and mid-sized farmers could afford to take the chance on farming.

[bluecollar2]

6. As a tropical fruit grower in South Florida

I'm interested to see the details on this.

I dont make $500k a year and only rely on insurance to offset part of the cost of replacement of the trees that are damaged beyond redemption by a hurricane.

I dont buy coverage to cover for crop losses due to drought...and even if I did it is almost impossible to actually succeed if you are a small grower.

Thanks for posting this.