Originally Posted by
FDXLAG
So the price of corn has no impact on whether or not the farmer makes money. I can see why the farmers are bailing (no pun intended).
Don't be hard headed. Yes market matters. However a subsidy is when you go fill out forms and the gov't gives the farmer money to farm. Whether his crops go belly up from insects or storms to drought. Just because everyone in the US burns gas everyday doesn't mean the people are giving the gas industry subsidies. It just means supply and demand are working.
sub·si·dy /ˈsʌbsɪdi/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[suhb-si-dee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -dies.
1. a direct pecuniary aid furnished by a government to a private industrial undertaking, a charity organization, or the like.
2. a sum paid, often in accordance with a treaty, by one government to another to secure some service in return.
3. a grant or contribution of money.
4. money formerly granted by the English Parliament to the crown for special needs.
Unless the government says "Hey we'll give you 50k per 1000 acres to grow corn" it isn't a subsidy. Just because demand is now bumping up supply means nothing. If you followed that then you're giving walmart subsidy everytime you buy toiletpapter there. I've worked out there since I was 9yrs old and have delt with this mess for long enough to KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING. You're just describing free market and commerce.