Agriculture
We must be able to feed ourselves as part of our national security. We must help our
farmers lead the way to energy independence. As a percentage of national income, we
spend only half as much on food as people in other developed countries. Subsidies help
keep our food costs low by keeping production levels high.
We must continue subsidies because our farmers compete with highly subsidized farmers in
Europe and Asia, and they face fixed costs (land, equipment, seed, supplies) whether or not
they produce a crop. Subsidies insulate farmers from natural disasters like droughts, floods,
hurricanes, and tornadoes, as well as from sudden spikes in the price of fuel, feed, and
fertilizer.
We need agricultural policies that encourage our young people to enter and stay in farming.
They face the high costs of starting and capitalizing a farm, plus the fears generated by
government regulations and rapid policy changes. We have to reduce their risks as they
increase their potential for profitability. We have to assure that they have outstanding rural
schools, and first-rate infrastructure.
I will watch out for our farmers because our national well-being depends on theirs.
We must be able to feed ourselves as part of our national security. We must help our
farmers lead the way to energy independence. As a percentage of national income, we
spend only half as much on food as people in other developed countries. Subsidies help
keep our food costs low by keeping production levels high.
We must continue subsidies because our farmers compete with highly subsidized farmers in
Europe and Asia, and they face fixed costs (land, equipment, seed, supplies) whether or not
they produce a crop. Subsidies insulate farmers from natural disasters like droughts, floods,
hurricanes, and tornadoes, as well as from sudden spikes in the price of fuel, feed, and
fertilizer.
We need agricultural policies that encourage our young people to enter and stay in farming.
They face the high costs of starting and capitalizing a farm, plus the fears generated by
government regulations and rapid policy changes. We have to reduce their risks as they
increase their potential for profitability. We have to assure that they have outstanding rural
schools, and first-rate infrastructure.
I will watch out for our farmers because our national well-being depends on theirs.
Paid for by John W. Martin, Dothan, Al, 36305
| John W Martin for U.S. Congress, AL District 2 |
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