Friday, December 22, 2006
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You mess with the wheat, you'll get the chaff
The Washington Post wraps a series on federal farm subsidies with a story by Dan Morgan, Sarah Cohen and Gilbert M. Gaul on what happens when you mess with the trough. This part of the story goes back to 2001, and does something I would not have thought possible -- it makes me sympathize with Karl Rove: One of the most remarkable examples of the farm lobby's power came in 2001 and 2002, when the existing farm bill was written, expanding payments again over the opposition of the White House and key lawmakers. Reformers see it as a cautionary tale.posted by Dan on 12.22.06 at 07:44 PM Comments: Maybe I am not understanding the nature of this process properly, but I don't have as much sympathy for him as Dan does. This occurred at the height of Bush's power, and yet one congressman was so powerful, the president and his many allies could do nothing to stop him? posted by: Brian on 12.22.06 at 07:44 PM [permalink]It really is kind of pitiful and yet so predictable: Bush gives up on a good policy (battling special interest farm subsidies) in order to allow bad policy (no accountability on trade deals) to squeak through. Kind of an epitaph for this administration; using pork to pay off those who would otherwise demand presidential accountability. posted by: DB on 12.22.06 at 07:44 PM [permalink]Post a Comment: |
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