Most Socialist cities in America?

[JACKHAMMER]

Originally posted by: nweaver

Originally posted by: JACKHAMMER

Originally posted by: nweaver

Originally posted by: JACKHAMMER

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: ironwing
Pick any small town. The American rural/farm economy is heavily socialized.

OMG, are you confusing socialism with subsidization?

He must be. Either way, I can't believe the amount of money that goes out for farmers NOT to farm.

spoken like a true city slicker...


have you guys ever tried to farm...it's a poor existance, and one that only those who love to farm will do.

I may be a city slicker, but we have close family friends who are farmers and they live anything but a poor "existance". Six figure machinery, a couple of houses, and more trucks than they know what to do with - most bought by tax payer money. Look, like it or not the government PAYS people to do nothing with their land, which by keeping less produce on the shelfs actually raises the prices of our food. And the only reason they do this is the ag. lobby - not b/c its good for the average american.

My wife's family farms. Yes, they have a decent home, some trucks, and lots of 6 figure machinery, but they also have debt...plenty of it. The government does not just give farmers money, they pay for CRP, which means you leave that specific piece of land fallow/let natural vegitation grow back for a few years. This is because a farmer needs all his land to be producing to make money, but if they farm it all every year, it's yield falls and the quality of crop falls. CRP is a pretty decent deal, but my in laws make more from their organic wheat then CRP. Sprayed/normal wheat is about a wash, depending on when/who they sell to.

My father in law works hard, and makes about 35-45K a year, including CRP. That's far from rich and thriving.

Thats fine, and I understand that rotating land will produce greater crop yield. But our family friends make 6 figures, and they don't work the full year (which is fine). I am not saying farmers shouldn't make a good living, I am saying that if you look at the government subsidies (and how they are handed out) - It is far from a great or fair system.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: JACKHAMMER

I may be a city slicker, but we have close family friends who are farmers and they live anything but a poor "existance". Six figure machinery, a couple of houses, and more trucks than they know what to do with - most bought by tax payer money. Look, like it or not the government PAYS people to do nothing with their land, which by keeping less produce on the shelfs actually raises the prices of our food. And the only reason they do this is the ag. lobby - not b/c its good for the average american.

Listing "6 figure machinery" when talking about excess is an obvious sign of ignorance.

Unlike your PC the real world sometimes requires more than just a screwdriver.

Viper GTS

qft

btw, they have 2 tractors, one 2002ish Cat Challenger (very spendy) and their old 1960's Cat D6 (use both still)

they also don't have new trucks, mainly older trucks for hauling grain. As far as pickups, yeah, they have a 94 Dodge Cummins...dang Gov't subsidy!

 

[JACKHAMMER]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: JACKHAMMER

I may be a city slicker, but we have close family friends who are farmers and they live anything but a poor "existance". Six figure machinery, a couple of houses, and more trucks than they know what to do with - most bought by tax payer money. Look, like it or not the government PAYS people to do nothing with their land, which by keeping less produce on the shelfs actually raises the prices of our food. And the only reason they do this is the ag. lobby - not b/c its good for the average american.

Listing "6 figure machinery" when talking about excess is an obvious sign of ignorance.

Unlike your PC the real world sometimes requires more than just a screwdriver.

Viper GTS

Yup. But clearly if you can afford new machinery $$ every couple of years, they obviously aren't poor - which what I was getting at. And talking down to people is a real great way to make people see you viewpoint. :roll: