In the Arena

Agripandering

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Kudos to John McCain for saying–in Iowa!–that he would veto the nauseating, mega-porkified Farm Bill, which–as usual–dumps all sorts of subsidies into the laps of the unworthy, corporate farms and gentleman farmers, at a time when farm profits are soaring.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton–who has apparently reached the point in her campaign where she’s willing to offer money to just about anyone–criticized McCain for his straight talk:

“Rural America is struggling in the face of skyrocketing energy prices, an economic downturn and rising food prices,” Clinton said. “Saying no to the farm bill would be saying no to rural America.”
 

Farm subsidies are among the enduring obscenities of U.S. budget-making. They are particularly damaging now, with real needs piling up across the board–and real suffering being endured by the working poor. I wish Clinton would get a grip and realize what McCain and Obama already know: real credibility comes from occasionally telling people things they don’t want to hear.