Farm Bill Makes Koch Bros. Billions, Cuts $90 a Month From Struggling Families on Food Stamps

[Triana]

. . .

That the $8.7 billion food stamp cut was a key demand by Koch Industries’ front group Americans for Prosperity is well documented at this point, and that it was championed by Koch puppets and professional saboteurs Pete Sessions and Eric Cantor is equally documented. So, after a little digging, are the beneficiaries of the Tea Party Approved Farm Bill that passed…which will amount to a $90 A MONTH CUT IN FOOD STAMPS for many families.

And those beneficiaries, those masters, are none other than David and Charles Koch.

Biomass Subsidies

The word “biomass” sounds like a pretty environmentally happy thing, and it can be, depending on how biomass crops are grown, harvested and used. Biomass crops are “high energy” crops like willow trees and pine trees, and various kinds of seeds and oils. From 2009 to 2013, the Fed handed out almost $40 billion in biomass subsidies for energy crops — and a fat chunk of that went to Koch Industries. Aside from farming trees to burn in powerplants, Koch is a huge player in the biofuel (ethanol and biodiesel) market. In fact, the Kochs make almost as much per barrel on sugarcane and corn ethanol (which are rapidly destroying the Ogallala Aquifer) than it makes on its petroleum refining efforts. The Kochs clear $120 profit per barrel on soybean biodiesel alone — five times what it makes per barrel on fossil fuels.

So, clearly, this is a company that needs $90 a month far more than a family of four living in poverty. And the money from 1.5 million people on unemployment? Pete Sessions, Operative du Jour in the House Rules Committee, thinks that NOT giving that money to the Kochs would be morally wrong. Hell, have you SEEN how much money these guys spend on lobbying to cut down America’s forests alone? It’s not cheap burning pine.

In total, the new Farm Bill retains a budget of over $880 million in mandatory spending on biomass subsidies. That’s more than 10% of all the money Teapublicans cut from Food Stamp spending, standing by to go into Koch’s wallet.

THE REST:

http://aattp.org/farm-bill-makes-koch-bros-billions-cuts-90-a-month-from-struggling-families-on-food-stamps/

[jsr]

1. Courtesy of n2doc:

[BlueCaliDem]

2. Hopefully this will affect enough Republican voters in those gerrymandered

districts to finally see the light and either not vote for the Teabagger in their gerrymandered districts or really have an epiphany and vote Democratic Party in November and beyond.

You get the government you vote for. For some reason, the impoverished and unemployed Republican voter doesn't seem to grasp that. Until that mentality changes, this is the future they're enabling.

[rhett o rick]

12. So you put the blame fully on the Republicans. There was nothing the Democrats could do?

Many Democrats are subject to the same influence from the corporation's lobbying. Not defending the Republicans but the Democrats need to present a clear choice. Many people see that both parties accept bribes from corporations and participated in the piece of crap.

[abelenkpe]

14. Democrats certainly could have done something

they chose not to. Just as they could have included unemployment extension in the budget negotiations, but they chose not to hoping voters will blame republicans only. I know republicans would have put up a fuss and are to blame for plenty of obstruction but it sickens me when democrats don't even fight.

[Glitterati]

20. It was ON purpose

The MINUTE that unemployment bill failed, my inbox filled up with money requests from Democrats and Democratic PACs asking for donations.

Political theater to give Democrats a fundraising appeal, and something to run on in November.

[awoke_in_2003]

25. Don't you know that democrats are helpless?

You know, when. You really think about, the only thing that makes sense is they are in on the game, too. They are not stupid, they are not weak, they are complicit.

[Cha]

37. Contact Bernie Sanders and ask him why he voted for it..

"This was a difficult vote on a bill which has some positive provisions but also some very negative ones.

“This bill will bring greater stability to Vermont dairy farmers by helping them to manage risks and produce products more efficiently. It also is good news that a successful MILC program will stay in place until new insurance provisions for dairy farmers are implemented."

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-farm-bill-

[rhett o rick]

42. What do you have against Sen Sanders? nm

[Cha]

44. Not a thing. What do you have against him?

"Many Democrats are subject to the same influence from the corporation's lobbying. Not defending the Republicans but the Democrats need to present a clear choice. Many people see that both parties accept bribes from corporations and participated in the piece of crap."

[rhett o rick]

45. I think Sen Sanders has integrity and admire him a lot. But I think he made a mistake here. What do

you think about the farm bill?

[dotymed]

21. Life-long FDR Democrat here, whose party has left him.

Why did President Obama sign this into law?

[BlueCaliDem]

36. Because that's the best you're gonna get from this Teabagger House.

And unlike you and some other disaffected Democrats, he knows it. Just like they do.

But I thought I made that point clear in my post. I mean, assuming here that you understand how our government works.

To ignore the Teabagger House of Representatives' major influence in national policy from the decision to pass this law - while at the same time, going full-bore in attack mode of President Obama and blaming HIM for Congress' obstructionism - is as short-sighted as it is ignorant.

[rhett o rick]

43. So the Republicans made him do it? nm

[ReRe]

26. Hopefully, but...

... logic isn't one of their strong points. I knew someone like this once. I was shocked when I learned that she was a Republican. I may have been the first person in her life to question her on it. I moved away, but I hope I jerked something loose in there. That's all you can do. Plant a seed and hope it grows.

[Le Taz Hot]

3. I just found out we're going to be hit HARD

in taxes this year. So much so that I had to cancel, for the second time, insurance I was going to get via Covered California just so I can pay off Uncle Sam. Imagine how thrilled I am to know that I have to sacrifice greatly and pay out money I don't have so the Koch's can get a humongous kickback and knowing that that's what my (and everyone else's) money is being used for.

[Glitterati]

4. With HUGE Democratic support

The Washington Post editorial board called for the President to veto the bill. The WaPo editorial board wasn't particularly opposed to the SNAP cuts, per se, but followed, "But attached to so much corporate welfare, it’s hard to swallow, especially when that corporate welfare isn’t rigorously means-tested."

Although the majority of the House Democratic caucus (103 vs. 89) just voted against this bill, only 9 members of the Senate Democratic caucus voted against it:

Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Bob Casey (D-PA)
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Ed Markey (D-MA)
Chris Murphy (D-CT)
Jack Reed (D-RI)
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/04/1274997/-Only-9-Senate-Democrats-Voted-Against-the-SNAP-Cutting-Farm-Bill

[ProSense]

7. Here is Senator Booker's statement

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker Statement on Passage of the Farm Bill
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024449718

[jsr]

8. Very telling. This on top of the $2.2 billion cut in 2010 and the $5 billion cut in November.

[Glitterati]

9. The poor are stage props for Democrats now.

I refuse to be a stage prop for them any longer.

I'm not on food stamps nor unemployment.

But, I'll not stand by while MY PARTY mistreats those who are.

I'll not stand by and cheer them on.

I'll not defend these abhorrent actions by the party I support.

I'll not stand by mute while these people destroy the hopes of people who are just trying to SURVIVE.

I'm not a Democratic Cheerleader. I am a human being first. Democrat last.

[malletgirl02]

11. Democrats and the poor

I think I'm going to going to have to agree with you. I don't think the majority of democrats really are about the poor. if you look at their speeches it as all about the middle class and nothing about the poor.

[tblue]

15. Remember John Edwards?

He always spoke about the poor. Always, in every single speech, he decried poverty and the"two Americas" that we live in.

Yes, he effed up so bad and so publicly, and I can't defend him. But I loved him dearly for the good that he tried to do for this country.

You're right. NO politician talks about the poor except to blame and disparage them. Not since John Edwards.

[malletgirl02]

19. I'm sorry I forgot about him.

Thank you for reminding me.

[jsr]

16. Poor people are boring. And they don't pay their lobbyists.

[MFM008]

35. thanks

I used to get 134.00 $ foodstamps a month then went to $118.00. I am senior-disabled. Now it will go down again. The gop could care less I pick mold off bread and eat whats left. I cant get to foodbanks or get someone to get it for me.. so thats the way it is. These cuts affect real people. A few dollars means milk bread and cereal. Im sick of democrats signing off on this plan.

[Glitterati]

50. I'm so sorry, MFM

There's just nothing else to say except how terribly sorry I am that you are being put in this situation.

I, too, am on a fixed income (Social Security widow benefits) and know what a struggle it can be to put food on the table with rising prices of heat, food and fundamentals. If I bothered to apply, I would get a whopping $16.00/month in food stamps before the recent cuts, but I am betting they've managed to eliminate even that now. I haven't bothered to apply for the $16.00. I'm not disabled, however, which just makes it harder for you.

While I am grateful for the local food pantries, 1 large brown bag of canned foods and a small jar of peanut butter for the entire month just doesn't seem worth the trouble of getting to the pantry and back. We can, however, go once a week to get some fresh breads at the pantry, and my daughter just loves the 5 grain bread we can get there.

Maybe this month I'll do a blog post about the food pantry bag......folks should probably be made aware of what a family is expected to live on for a month. Perhaps pictures is what it will take.

If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.

Last week at the food pantry, I met a woman who was desperately trying to make things work for her 7 (yes, I said SEVEN) grandchildren from 8 month twins to 15 yrs. old on that bag of groceries. I offered free babysitting any time she needed a break from it all. I certainly can't help financially, but by golly, I can give the poor woman a break when she just can't do it. We all have to pull together any way we can.

[Cha]

41. Tell Senator Bernie Sanders .. "the poor are stage props" for him..

"This was a difficult vote on a bill which has some positive provisions but also some very negative ones.

“This bill will bring greater stability to Vermont dairy farmers by helping them to manage risks and produce products more efficiently. It also is good news that a successful MILC program will stay in place until new insurance provisions for dairy farmers are implemented."

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-farm-bill-

[Glitterati]

46. LOL, cheerleading for non-Democrats now?

Anything to protect your precious cheerleading squad?

You folks are really scraping the bottom of the barrel now.

[Cha]

47. Oh yeah, I'm glad Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is in the US Senate.

[Glitterati]

48. You better be careful

Bernie Sanders is more willing than those of us on this board to state the truth about the political theater being played here.

You'll be attacking him again next week and make yourself look bad!

[ProSense]

10. There was

"Very telling. This on top of the $2.2 billion cut in 2010 and the $5 billion cut in November."

...no cut in 2010. There was a vote relating to continuing the stimulus payments beyond November.

From 1994 to 1996, SNAP funding was flat. From 1996 through 2001, Welfare reform resulted in a 30 percent drop in funding.

In 2009, the stimulus increased funding and restored the program to a level equivalent to the pre-1992 trend.

Granted that participation went from 30 million to 46 million from 2008 to now. The stimulus increased the allocation and the benefits.



http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/snapsummary.htm

If the increases had remained at even the level from 1992 to 1993, 3.43 percent, the program would be at about $50 million in 2013.

From 2001 to 2013, participation increased times 2.75. Funding for the program increase about times 4.4 during the same period, driven by the stimulus increase.

From 2008 to 2009, participation increased 18.6 percent and funding increased 42.5 percent.

From 2008 to 2013, participation increased 68.7 percent and funding increased 111 percent.

I'd say the stimulus increased funding to an adequate level. It should have remained at that level and indexed to inflation.

[dotymed]

23. I may be very disappointed..

How did Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) vote on this bill?

[Glitterati]

31. He voted FOR it

So, yes, I suspect you're going to be very disappointed.

[Samantha]

40. I think there are a lot of farms in Vermont that benefit from this

and he had no choice but to protect his constituents. I half-heard a statement he made on cable about opposing the cuts in food stamps but mentioning the farmers in Vermont who desperately needed the assistance.

Sam

[Scuba]

5. K-Y Jelly optional.

[TBF]

6. Business as usual. nt

[bkanderson76]

13. Hey, $90 Bucks Here, $90 Bucks There....These Kock Brothers Gotta Make it Somehow...nt

[Glitterati]

18. Obama signing the bill in Michigan was especially demoralizing!

Barack Obama went to Michigan for political theater to sign the farm bill which cut food stamps AGAIN. Even said he came there to prove Detroit is "open for business" and then signed the bill standing on the shoulders of the poor and homeless, in that bankrupt city, while cutting food stamps.

[ReRe]

29. I found it so demoralizing...

... and I think that's the goal. All the smiling. Why, you'd-a-thunk we just got universal healthcare or that PO was signing the "Kill all Subsidies Act." CNN anchor lady giggled "I wonder how many pens he's going to use?" It's a wonder I have a hair left on my head or a head at all. My BP shot through the roof.

[tblue]

17. Truly this is mental illness.

This much greed, on the part of the K bros. is not normal. Not to mention a danger to society. They need professional intervention, not another bonus!

[Faygo Kid]

24. The Koch brothers are a cancer on this nation and planet

You're right, their monumental greed is pathological. They want it all - every dime that goes into public education, Social Security, individuals' savings, health care research - all of it.

They are destroying the rest of us, except for their billionaire buddies who are puny in comparison to them (except the Walton family).

I admire the work done by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett with their billions, but the Kochs exist only to take, take, take. And as a sop give a few million to the Smithsonian and hospitals - pure PR, nothing else.

People die because of the greed of those two brothers.

[BodieTown]

27. It's Called Sociopathology

IF they are sociopaths (and IMHO, they are), there can be no intervention.

Sociopaths are hard-wired to have no empathy, no conscience, no concern for others. Many if not most adore money.

Sociopaths will do anything to win, they often thumb their noses at the law, and they can be very persuasive and sociable.

You either walk/run away from sociopaths, or you foil them...you force them to lose. So far, our country has done next to nothing to force the Kochs to lose...or so it seems.

[Berlum]

22. "Republicon Socialist Welfare-for-the-Rich is a beautiful thang. Smirk. Sneer." - Kochs (R - 1%)

"So you smelly American proles can just STFU, and keep out of the way of us republican elites while we suck up your tax bucks via Republion Welfare-for-the-Rich. Smirk. Sneer."

- Kochs (R - 1%)

[Turbineguy]

28. When you do not create as much wealth as you need

you have to take it from others. And if you are the Koch's, the republican party stands ready to help.

[Initech]

30. Grr!!!! Fucking thieves!

[indepat]

32. Perfect example of the workings of a corporatist government taking care of bidness at the expense of

the needy, to wit: shitting on the promote the general welfare doctrine with gusto.

[Vashta Nerada]

33. So farmers get billions in subsidies while the poor lose $90/month?

Hooray for bipartisanship!

[liberal_at_heart]

34. I have three democratic senators who voted yes on this. They will not be getting my vote.

[DirkGently]

38. They'd rip the bottle from a baby's mouth.

These guys apparently want to suck every scrap of essence out of every human being on the planet.

[Rex]

39. Dam, Koch Industries has a tight hold on Congress!

Good thing we still have 2 branches left.

[Alkene]

49. America: Fuck Yeah!

I feel so proud.

[democratisphere]

51. Republicans, Democrats and Obama signed this bill into law.

ONLY when ALL of the full bellied elected officials in Washington are removed from office, will there be light. Pathetic.