The Subsidies are destroying innovation in farming, but are the only things keeping many farms running. Yea, spending $80 billion on corn is bad, but losing our farming infrastructure would make what the riots in Missouri look like the peaceful times of yore.
I agree as well. A sound farm policy can use subsidies to transition to more environmentally sustainable farming methods, help smaller farms upgrade equipment and the like. But spending the money we do on corn and sugar is just inane. Subsidies are helping get the hemp industry started here in Kentucky, and that is helping to transition off of tobacco; this I approve of. They are also spending money on re-learning how to use hemp fibers in industry and get that set up. Again, not a bad use of money, and it may bring some industry back into the rural areas that are desperate for any economic activity not involving meth.