Publicly Ron Paul has stated his opposition to farm subsidies and earmarks in general. We looked into his record and the congressional district he represents (the 14th District of Texas) has received more than $2.1billion dollars in farm subsidies since 1991. A majority of this amount went to Matagorda County (one of eight counties in his district) which collected $286 million in farm subsidies with a substantial portion going to rice farmers.
Alex Formuzis of the Environmental Working Group told me that "Individual members of Congress do not decide if their congressional districts receive farm subsidies. It is up to the USDA" who congress funds through farm bills passed every five years. "If a congressman would like to limit farm subsidies for their district," Formuzis said "they may do so by amending the USDA bill."
Congressional records do not show Dr. Paul amending any of the USDA bills to limit funding to his district but he has voted against several large farm bills including the Farm, Nutrition and Bio-Energy Act of 2007.
We changed Dr. Paul's position on the question "Should the federal government subsidize U.S. farmers?" to NO.
If I am forced to pay into the system, I should should receive back from the system even though I may disagree with the system. Ron Paul votes against all federal subsidies, and all spending bills for that matter, though he will not miss a chance to return tax dollars to his district, as he should as its representative.
Rob Hinojosa
Absouluetly. The taxes were taken by force from the government. Why would you let thieves get away with it if you could recover some or all of your property? This is consistent with his views, anyone trying to discredit or call hypocrisy on this issue is full of it.
Frankie Tierney
But it's not the people who were taxed on the receiving end. It is by and large the big corporate farms that get the benefit.
Christopher Scott Fletcher
I agree with Mr. Hinojosa below.
Clint Hulsey
Anna Dittmer Donze is this what you were talking about last night?
Erin Dittmer Dempsey
If there wasn't so much corruption in the system I wouldn't mind allowing farmers subsidies, especially when problems arise that make it difficult for them to produce. After educating myself on how much and to whom the majority of subsidies are going to, I must admit that I am against them wholeheartedly.
Cory Tracy
Subsidies go to the bigger producers not the struggling farmer, which is sad if were going to even subsidize. The number of farms has gone down, but the farm acres have gone up, how awsome is that, kill the little farms and feed them to the big farms. Intervention by government in the economy is foolish! Allow free markets to work :(
Corey Ragas
The fact that sugar is still subsidized is what really gets me the most. It's been shown to be as addictive as heroin and crack, sugar consumers are more likely to engage in eating habits that promote obesity, and even if consumers eat it in moderation and don't become obese--sugar has some pretty damaging effects on our bodies. just stop subsidizing it.
Sarah Dills
It's subsidized to keep prices high, meaning more profit for American producers, but at a cost to consumers. So if you take the import tariffs off it will be cheaper. Is that what you want? I think you don't, but I do that's for sure!
Corey Ragas
Subsidizing a commodity lowers the price, it never raises it..
James Thompson
James, that is completely false. Not trying to be rude, but you need to learn what a subsidy is before you say such things. A tariff that protects a domestic company from a cheaper foreign product is a subsidy.
Corey Ragas
Sugar? I think CORN subsidies are of greater concern, corn is used to make high fructose corn syrup which is used more widely than sugar and is harder for your body to break down. The "farmers" taking these subsidies are usually large corporations such as ADM, Conagra etc. They're reaping huge profits because of the subsidies and wide usage of corn in Ethanol production and corn food products. Most of our cane sugar comes from the Dominican Republic that is grown and harvested by Haitian slave labor.
Greg Huston
No, a tariff is a tariff, although it is designed for similar results. By taking the subsidy farmers and other industries sell at lower prices because they can. Subsidies are not designed for this, but basic economic theory makes it happen. Just like as taxes raise the price of product, paying a farmer or company per unit of production results in lower prices, always. If demand increases because of the lower price, then prices will raise, but again that is only to compensate for the lower price, and to re obtain the supply-demand equilibrium. On another note, don't tell me I need to "learn" anything. There is the stupid definitions taken right out of the dictionary that they teach you in business school, then there is what happens in practice. I have experience with both, which is why my $40,000, government subsidized degree, is a joke. Experience triumphs education, always.
James Thompson
Farm subsidies have been raising prices though, regardless of what they're supposed to do. In the past the government subsidized corn farmers by paying them no to not grow corn. Now with the Ethanol sham, we're taking a lot of feed corn (for cattle) off the market raising prices of beef as well as raising the cost of corn products for human consumption as well.
Greg Huston
yep agree with previous comment completely.
Robert Evenson
this is part of what I was talking about. you have to take a close look at the farm bill - it's a multi-billion dollar bill and there is a LOT to it. check this out to get started: http://farmbillprimer.org/senate-farm-bill-amendments/. (i particularly like the spending chart under the House Markup section).
Anna Dittmer Donze
Why not spend this absurdly amount of money in building underground tanks the size of football stadiums. Japan did it to alliviate floods, why not use it to store water from zones that receive too much water. And through Solar and nuclear power divert that water that not only helps avoid floods in residential areas but bring massive fresh water resupply to the farms. This is already being done in Vegas to help the hoover dam which it's water are being depleted.
John Shepard
Good article on the removal of agricultural subsides in New Zealand during the Rogernomics reform period of the 1980's. http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/new-zealand-farmers-dont-want-subsidies
Jacob Lister
The root of the problem is government subsidies. You cannot blame someone who has to work within the system if the system exists.
Kelly Nguyen
THANKS, KEEP EXPOSING THE CRIMINAL FRAUD THIS CORRUPT TWO PARTY SYSTEM KEEPS PERPETRATING ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE EVERY FOUR YEARS. WAKE UP, BRING YOUR CAMERAS, AND EXPOSE THESE CROOKED LEADERS! RON PAUL/ GARY JOHNSON 2012!
John Stuart
I noticed RON PAUL IS NOT OFFERED AS A CANDIDATE TO COMPARE OR LOOK COMPARISONS? RON PAUL SHOULD BE PRESIDENT WITH GARY JOHNSON AS VICE-PRESIDENT FOR A BACK UP. WE NEED TO WAKE UP TO THE TWO PARTY CORRUPTION THAT IS TEARING OUR COUNTRY APART. FREEDOM IS POPULAR AND PEOPLE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF GOVERNMENT IGNORING THE CONSTITUTION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS!
John Stuart
Ron Paul lost the primary and would lose the general. If you don't stop this, we get Obama again.
Ken White
As it stands today, the Republicans wish they hadn't ended up with Romney. This election is over
Vaibhav Jain
That's extremely possible and exceptionally unfortunate. It is made worse by Ron Paul writer's in. Please, please think about it.
Ken White
Not really. Romney = Obama.
Vaibhav Jain
We can debate how hard he'll work on the issues he claims are most important to him, and how he'll stick to his guns philosophically but this very website shows that he does not equal Obama by over 70% of the answers which are important to me. That's just an irresponsible thing to say in such a serious time. I sympathize but if anyone takes any of this to heart I think we can't be too cautious. These are dark, game-changing times.
Ken White
This website does not take into account that he is a flipflopper. It takes into account only his current answers.
Vaibhav Jain
RON PAUL NEEDS TO BE AN OPTION TO BE COMPARED WITH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES!
Jamie Evans Pike
Go Jamie!
Josh Avalos
The reason Ron Paul is not offered as a candidate to compare ANY LONGER is because he isn't one any more. Sad, but true.
Vaibhav Jain