Of course, in the perverse logic of farm subsidies, as incomes have gone up, so have federal payments. In the 1990s, they averaged around $10 billion a year. Now, they are about $20 billion a year. The increased level of payments was supposed to obviate emergency disaster spending. But we see how that's working out.
With a debate concerning a new farm bill set for this year, the Bush administration is proposing ending subsidies for 80,000 rich farmers. It would reduce the income cap on subsidies from $2.5 million to $200,000, saving $1.5 billion over the next 10 years. It would close loopholes exposed in a recent Washington Post series, including one that enabled corn growers to game the government for an additional $3.8 billion in 2005 and one that makes it possible for nonfarmers to still receive subsidies.
The Bush proposal already is facing opposition on Capitol Hill. The president is about to get a lesson in congressional resolve. Facing down enemies overseas is too arduous for a Congress that wants us out of Iraq by next year. But if someone dare attempt to diminish farm payments? Well, then, Congress will fight on the beaches, in the fields and in the streets.