Tag Archives: nathanael

A Tea Party conservative just lost to a Trump supporter, because farm subsidies

by Trina69W08377 Posted on August 3, 2016

subsidie another day

A Tea Party conservative just lost to a Trump supporter, because farm subsidies

By on Aug 3, 2016Share

A Tea Party leader in the House of Representatives just lost a primary bid for reelection — a sign that Republican voters may be fed up with Tea Party obstinance and are casting about for something new. Rep. Tim Huelskamp lost his Kansas primary by a huge margin to newcomer Roger Marshall.

The outgoing Huelskamp is an ideological conservative with a PhD in agricultural policy, and so he was against subsides whether they went to the poor or industry. He repeatedly voted against the Farm Bill even though his district is packed with farms. His obstinance so infuriated former House Speaker John Boehner that he kicked Huelskamp off the agriculture committee.

Marshall, on the other hand, is a Trump supporter who backs subsidies for farming and has earned endorsements from the agriculture lobby.

This fits with one theory of Trump-ism: The new wave of populist Republicans aren’t against all government payouts; just ones that go to people of a different culture or complexion. They’re fine with handouts — like ag subsidies — that go to their people.

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A Tea Party conservative just lost to a Trump supporter, because farm subsidies

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Democrats say they want to support farmers, but what the heck does that mean?

by MarquisMuirden Posted on July 26, 2016

Hard row

Democrats say they want to support farmers, but what the heck does that mean?

By on Jul 26, 2016Share

When the Democrats were drafting their platform earlier this month, Connecticut’s Gov. Dan Malloy asked if anyone would dare to vote against a statement describing farming as a cherished way of life.

“Is there anyone who’s going to be heard to take a position against farming?” Malloy asked. That got a good laugh. “At your peril,” Malloy joshed.

No surprise, the committee members voted unanimously to include the language.

And so Democrats released a platform for their convention this week that promises to “support the next generation of farmers and ranchers, with particular attention given to promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.” The platform also vows “to protect and enhance family farms.” OK, sounds great, but how?

The platform says we should give more farm subsidies and more money to boost local food markets. But that’s not likely to be enough to counteract trends squeezing out farmers. It’s easy to be sentimental about preserving farms yet devilishly hard to find a palatable solution.

Election Guide ★ 2016Making America Green AgainOur experts weigh in on the real issues at stake in this electionGet Grist in your inbox

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Democrats say they want to support farmers, but what the heck does that mean?

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Arnold Schwarzenegger is here to terminate your hamburger addiction

by MelissaHope Posted on June 28, 2016

Conan the Vegetarian

Arnold Schwarzenegger is here to terminate your hamburger addiction

By on Jun 28, 2016Share

A sweaty Arnold Schwarzenegger wanders across a barren wasteland before turning to the camera and jawing out the line, “Less meat, less heat… more life.”

This is a scene in the latest James Cameron flick, a public service announcement for the advocacy group WildAid and the Chinese Nutrition Society, aimed at linking meat eating to climate change. It’s meant to sway people to follow the country’s new dietary guidelines and eat less meat. So far there’s just a “behind the scenes” teaser, and it’s predictably over the top. Animal agriculture isn’t as big a producer of greenhouse gases as Cameron claims. He says it’s the second biggest, but you have to include all farming (plants plus animals) and forest clearance to make ag the second biggest emitter.

Cameron and Schwarzenegger are basically claiming that meat will destroy the world. It would be more accurate to say that, while meat-eating is carbon intensive, animal agriculture is also a key step in making a better world for many poor farmers and underfed kids. But who goes to a Cameron or Schwarzenegger film for nuance? If the flexing Governator can help convince affluent Chinese and rich people around the world that they don’t need meat to be strong, so much the better.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger is here to terminate your hamburger addiction

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