This is happening in the USA....

[pbmus]

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1191438731678568449.html?refreshed=yes


The EU spends $65 billion a year on farm subsidies, intended to support farmers and keep rural communities alive. Our investigation found that in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe that money funds oligarchs, populists and the "agricultural Mafia."
The Money Farmers: How Oligarchs and Populists Milk the E.U. for Millions
The European Union spends $65 billion a year subsidizing agriculture. But a chunk of that money emboldens strongmen, enriches politicians and finances corrupt dealing.
https://nyti.ms/36wXSqR
In Hungary, thousands of acres of state land in the county home of far-right prime minister Viktor Orban was auctioned off to his family and friends, who then qualified for millions in subsidies. One friend is now one of the richest men in the country.
The Money Farmers: How Oligarchs and Populists Milk the E.U. for Millions
The European Union spends $65 billion a year subsidizing agriculture. But a chunk of that money emboldens strongmen, enriches politicians and finances corrupt dealing.
https://nyti.ms/36wXSqR

And in the Czech Republic, the most prominent recipient of EU farm subsidies is Andrej Babis — the prime minister. Our analysis found that his companies collected at least $42 million in subsidies last year.
The Money Farmers: How Oligarchs and Populists Milk the E.U. for Millions
The European Union spends $65 billion a year subsidizing agriculture. But a chunk of that money emboldens strongmen, enriches politicians and finances corrupt dealing.
https://nyti.ms/36wXSqR
The farm subsidy is by far the biggest line item in the EU budget and it's shrouded in secrecy. The EU maintains a database on where the money is going, but refused to provide The New York Times a copy.
We Just Wanted to Talk E.U. Farm Policy. Why Was Someone Always Looking Over Our Shoulders?
The European Union conceals data showing where billions in subsidies go. So we needed a workaround.
https://nyti.ms/33gHedc
The corruption that allows the wealthy and well-connected to make millions off a program meant for rural communities has created a modern feudalism that relies on fear. "Once you're on a black list," one family farmer said, "that's it."
The Money Farmers: How Oligarchs and Populists Milk the E.U. for Millions
The European Union spends $65 billion a year subsidizing agriculture. But a chunk of that money emboldens strongmen, enriches politicians and finances corrupt dealing.
https://nyti.ms/36wXSqR

[Midnight Writer]

1. Around here, former farm families are now "agricultural workers" for the corporate farms.

Another American icon, the independent farm family, sacrificed to the upward transfer of wealth to the already rich.