Taxpayers Weary Of Footing Bills For Federal Handouts

‘You must be taking a lot of flak because of your position that wheat farmers do not need the dole,” writes E. T. Westmeyer of Coeur d’Alene.

He then goes on to quote a recent critic of this column who stated as fact: “We all know agricultural subsidies are the key element of our nation’s policy of ensuring an abundant food supply.”’

But in fact, that’s not so at all, observes this wily veteran.

“Some years ago,” recalls Westmeyer, “when the (U.S) Department of Agriculture was handing out subsidies to grain growers and peanut farmers, etc., I wrote for instructions and forms to fill out to get subsidies for my tomatoes, celery and radishes.”

Forget it, USDA wrote back. There are no such subsidies.

And says Westmeyer, “That is the reason why there is never any celery, tomatoes or radishes in the stores. And you have to plod from one store to another to find these good food items. And when you do find them, the price is outrageous.

“I personally think that if the wheat farmers had no subsidy they would still raise wheat, and get paid for it, and make a living just as the tomato, celery and radish people do.”

Consumers might pay a little more for bread. But they’d save a bundle on farm welfare payments.

“In the meantime,” implored the former truck farmer, “if you happen to find any radishes in some store, let me know - because I like radishes.”

Ooo-kay.

Since raising the farm-welfare issue in anticipation of radical cutbacks by congress this year, I have received innumerable calls and letters on both sides.

Without exception, those who supported ag subsidies either receive them or own ag-related businesses that profit from the subsidies.

But a great many subsidized producers as well as unsubsidized growers sided with non-farm readers who responded to this column.

And non-farm readers who don’t receive subsidies but only pay for them all say it’s time to call a halt.

Not just to farm subsidies. But to all subsidies.

The overwhelming thrust of those who took the trouble to express views was this: Turn off the government give-away machine.

Cheney resident Jim Shamp is typical. “I have a rental housing business,” he writes.

“Like many farmers, I have huge mortgage debt ($500,000). Like farmers, most of my expenses are for things like taxes, debt service, insurance and maintenance, that do not drop when income falls.”

“But,” says Shamp, “there’s one big difference. If my revenues drop too far, I simply go broke and lose my 18 years of work and investments!

“It seems to me that farmers ought to be grateful that they’ve been able to con us into subsidizing them all these years, and prepare to make it on their own like the rest of us.”

Russ Larkin of Lakeview, Ore., writes the only thing stopping him from collecting farm subsidies “is that I didn’t inherit the requisite ground to do it.”

Otherwise, the certified public accountant confides, “I’d love to live on and own a ranch, too. And be my own boss. And have the government keep me afloat via outright subsidies and crop price supports.

“Even if I am inefficient, and refuse to keep up with the times, or want to insulate myself from competition.

“If my bicycle manufacturing business is failing, if my espresso cart isn’t doing well, if aluminum prices are down, if my computers aren’t selling well, if my financial services business is bad - the government would not jump in with aid and price supports.

“So how is farming any different? And don’t give me that old, we gotta ensure food production bit.

“Farming is a for-profit business,” says this hard-nosed numbers man. “Plain and simple. And if your business isn’t doing well, you gotta adjust. Find out what you’re doing wrong. Get more efficient. Market better. Change crops.

“Cut costs. Increase production. Or maybe even decrease production. Whatever it takes.

“And if that doesn’t work,” advises the accountant, “maybe it’s a bad business to be in. If that’s so, find a new business or go to work for someone else.

“But quit expecting me, the taxpayer,” says this straight-talking business counselor, “to support inefficiencies, overproduction, or just plain production of the wrong crop.”

, DataTimes MEMO: Associate Editor Frank Bartel’s column appears on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Frank Bartel The Spokesman-Review