Senate Passes Fat, Pork-Laden Farm Bill Like Fat Pigs at a Fat Trough, Fatly

The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 is now headed to the House. $969 billion. ("Hey, guys, whatever you do, don't go over a trillion dollars, okay? Otherwise, people might notice.") It covers programs for five years, but so what? 16 Republicans joined with 46 Democrats.

Look, even Frank Lautenberg and Mary Landrieu voted against this fat thing.

I understand that it will cut 23.6 billion in spending and shift aid to crop-insurance programs, but why is the taxpayer on the hook for any of this? And on that 23 billion dollars in savings? Why is it calculated over a ten year period? Is that to make the saving appear larger than they really are?

So, $23.6 billion in cuts over ten years on a five-year $969 billion dollar bill.

Farmers don't need jack squat from taxpayers. They don't occupy some higher ground that makes them more deserving than any other person. But it's not just farmers. And, of course, the "farmers" aren't like Uncle Jed from The Beverly Hillbillies just before he struck oil; they're huge corporations.

Although he voted against it, Senator McConnell said it was "one of the finest moments in the Senate in recent times in terms of how you pass a bill." Well, hopefully someone will explain why this was such a fine bill.

The Senate rejected a "handful" of anti-bio-fuel amendments. Why? Aren't we done throwing money at bio-fuel?

By the way, they voted down an amendment that would have prohibited the EPA from using drones. Did someone think the EPA needed more power?

So, really, I'd like to know exactly why this bill was needed so badly. Since we can't pay for it. Maybe one of these 16 Republicans would care to explain:

• Lamar Alexander (TN)
• John Barrasso (WY)
• Roy Blunt (MO)
• Scott Brown (MA)
• Dan Coats (IN)
• Susan Collins (ME)
• Mike Enzi (WY)
• Charles Grassley (IA)
• John Hoeven (ND)
• Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX)
• Mike Johanns (NE)
• Dick "Dick" Lugar (IN)
• Jerry Moran (KS)
• Pat Roberts (KS)
• Olympia Snowe (ME)
• John Thune (SD)

The usual suspects. Plus some surprises. Look at all those red wall, plains states senators.

Folllow me on Twitter.

posted by rdbrewer at 04:57 PM

| Access Comments