And that's what I mean... there really needs to be a fundamental change in a lot of things. It's not just Obama or the Republicans, no... but those with the power definitely wield a lot of the blame for allowing such things to continue.
I do believe sometimes subsidies are necessary for growth in a certain area... for example, if there's a large tract of very arable precious farmland, that some developers focus their eyes on to pave a strip mall, or a housing development or something else, then, there SHOULD be farm subsidies to keep a farm aloft on that land, due to the potentially high output of crops...
You dont pave a mall over a goldmine, and as undervalued as we might see crops in our massive country with miles of land, we shouldn't poison it just for short-gain profits.
As far as ethenol goes, I feel like corn is a retarded method of making it, but that's a whole other story that involves me making a point that clean biomass power plants are the future (aka growing things that burn cleanly and cheaply, utilizing the farmland we have, and thus being utilizable to cut down on a nation's dependence on foreign fuel sources)
there are things that make sense to spend it on as not to in turn pervert the land and pollute shit hardcore, but subsidies to military weapons contractors and textile or publishing companies which just move all their manufacturing overseas is just plain silly spending that comes down to wants over needs.
I hear it all the time on Cspan.. "Hey, if the farms can get subsidies, then why cant my company get subsidies to prop up our capital, and remain competitive! (AKA: move overseas to make higher profits to outproduce and outsell competitors - who then jump on the same bandwagon)"
What usually happens is... "uhhh okay thats not a good enough reason..." at first... and the bill doesn't pass... leading to this..
"uhmmm well how does 20 grand towards your upcoming election campaign sound?" "VOTE SOLD!"
the bill gets 're-introduced' and passed... if it wasn't already paid off to begin with...
Shits corrupt as fuck. It really goes for any country that takes special interest and lobbying money... but why can't we set the moral standard, and do whats right for once, and BAN that shit!