cliaz Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 http://www.wlbz2.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=63283 Some Farm Subsidies Going To The Rich And Famous Web Editor: Rhonda Erskine, Online Content Producer Created: 6/12/2007 6:12:17 PM Updated: 6/12/2007 8:02:40 PM NBC) -- Some of America's rich and famous are padding their bank accounts with government money meant for working farmers. A watchdog group in Washington unveiled an internet database that pinpoints where the government is giving away farm subsidies on Tuesday. You may be surprised to see who's getting money and where. Critics say government money is going to fat cats, when it could be used to help people struggling to find their next meal. A new internet database shows exactly who's been getting the billions of dollars in farm subsidies given out by Uncle Sam. NBA superstar Scottie Pippen got $289,000. Late Night host David Letterman got $8,000, but gave it to charity. Even the estate of the legendary penny pinching comedian Jack Benny got a bigger piece of the government pie than sheep farmer Leo Tammi. Tammi gets just $500 a year. "Who'ulda thunk that I'm in the same club as some of the wealthiest individuals in the country?" says Tammi. The coalition of watchdog groups that created the database using the government's own data, says it's no joke. "Our system of farm subsidies is broken and it's time for change," says Ken Cook. Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake is trying to do away with the subsidies. "It's plumb embarrassing to try to justify. Sometimes shame and ridicule works," says Flake. Nearly two million farmers don't get a penny, but one farmers' group says the subsidies are vital. "We would rather see a few billionaires slip through the cracks and get payments versus seeing hardworking farmers not get the payments that they need," says Tara Smith from the American Farm Bureau Federation. Others believe the money would be better spent feeding starving Americans. "We ought to put a little bit more money in the food stamp program so they can feed their kids for the whole month and maybe give them a vegetable once in a while," says David Beckham, president of Bread for the World. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 that is not a socker... i posted somtfin like that awile back... the farmers that realy need it cant get it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexgaddis Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Thank you Nancy Pelosi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 This is old news. Want free land for a vacation home, plant an orchard. Want free land for your new building, let some rancher use it for his cattle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H8tank Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 NBA superstar Scottie Pippen (democrat) got $289,000. Late Night host David Letterman (democrat) got $8,000, but gave it to charity. Even the estate of the legendary penny pinching comedian Jack Benny (democrat) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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