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26 replies
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how they have been living with their head firmly affixed to their posterior? And how did it go?
I've lived among these types ... They have many 'qualities' (and many/most are reasonably intelligent). But, I wouldn't describe 'listening' as being a primary ...
And, as the poster you responded to pointed out ... Who voted for Trump (a second time) - without knowing ...? As many as might be disenchanted - there are twice and thrice that number that are right now doubling down. Reliable allies? Not in the last 100 years.
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Last edited Wed Feb 12, 2025, 09:16 PM - Edit history (1)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220019241https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/02/11/tom-zirpoli-farmers-bear-the-brunt-of-attacks-on-usaid-commentary/
By Tom Zirpoli
PUBLISHED: February 11, 2025 at 2:22 PM EST
It appears that the dismantling of USAID is having an immediate and significantly negative impact on American farmers, most of whom supported Trump for president.
U.S. farmers view cuts to USAID as a direct assault on them. USAID has a $40 billion budget and runs aid programs in over 100 countries with a staff of more than 10,000 workers. Much of that budget flows back into the American economy because much of the aid distributed by USAID comes from American businesses. For example, over 40% of the food distributed by USAID comes from American farms, according to the Congressional Research Service.
In addition to farmers, other Americans and American goods (e.g., medical products, water supplies, farming equipment) are directly impacted. According to George Ingram of the Brookings Institution, “You’re talking about a direct impact on American products and American jobs” because “the bulk of U.S. assistance is implemented through U.S. organizations … staffed by Americans.”
According to The Washington Post, recent purchases of $340 million worth of rice, wheat and soybeans have been placed on hold by the Trump administration and are now stranded at American ports where they were sent for export. The Post reports that “hundreds of tons of American-grown wheat” are stranded in Houston alone. Internationally, the World Food Program estimated that about $566 million in U.S. food aid was locked down by the Trump administration in warehouses worldwide.
According to Steven Mercer with the U.S. Wheat Associates, “USDA grants to purchase 235,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat distributed by USAID have been temporarily paused,” adding to the uncertainty for farmers about their ability to sell their crops. Also, said Mercer, the distribution of U.S.-grown wheat through USAID “gives us a chance to showcase the quality and value of U.S. wheat in local markets.” In other words, countries purchase more of what American farmers grow because of their favorable experiences with American farm products through USAID.
In addition to farmers, other Americans and American goods (e.g., medical products, water supplies, farming equipment) are directly impacted. According to George Ingram of the Brookings Institution, “You’re talking about a direct impact on American products and American jobs” because “the bulk of U.S. assistance is implemented through U.S. organizations … staffed by Americans.”
According to The Washington Post, recent purchases of $340 million worth of rice, wheat and soybeans have been placed on hold by the Trump administration and are now stranded at American ports where they were sent for export. The Post reports that “hundreds of tons of American-grown wheat” are stranded in Houston alone. Internationally, the World Food Program estimated that about $566 million in U.S. food aid was locked down by the Trump administration in warehouses worldwide.
According to Steven Mercer with the U.S. Wheat Associates, “USDA grants to purchase 235,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat distributed by USAID have been temporarily paused,” adding to the uncertainty for farmers about their ability to sell their crops. Also, said Mercer, the distribution of U.S.-grown wheat through USAID “gives us a chance to showcase the quality and value of U.S. wheat in local markets.” In other words, countries purchase more of what American farmers grow because of their favorable experiences with American farm products through USAID.
Lots more FAFO'ing around at the link.
And if you care to remind people about how the hate and anger directed at "others" comes at a cost to THEM,
FAFO flags and calling cards to leave at a restaurant when people complain about high prices,
or about the job they just lost to ELON'S WRECKING CREW.
FAFO flags to share
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219770873
More:
Higher prices, crashing economy. (noted daily)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/111699331
There's indeed a NEW WORLD ORDER taking place.
That's a NEW WORLD ODOR.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219940527
Putin, Stump and Xi carve up the world three ways.
Only the billionaires benefit.
'Reboot' Revealed: Elon Musk's CEO-Dictator Playbook
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220003654
Silicon Valley Whistleblowers Warn Elon Musk 'Hijacking' Republicans to Control Entire US Government
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220008207
New FAFO flag.
The link above this has the updated collection.
Farmers for trump can’t figure out where their help comes from and why many of them aren’t around anymore.
Is there someone that can speak slowly enough to them, so that they might understand this? 
