Consumer Electronics Show 2021 - John Deere gets a couple of "Worst in Show" awards

[RickB]

The US government has had a cheap food policy in place for over 100 years. You're welcome.

 

[Tinhack]

And now the facts...

How much subsidy does the US give to farmers?


Direct government aid, accounting for 39% of net farm income, rose to a record $46.5 billion from $22.4 billion last year. … Yes, you read that right. This year, farmers (on net) will derive almost 40 percent of their income directly from the U.S. government. Forty percent.Dec 18, 2020

Even that sounds skewed. How much of that 39% was received from COVID benefits/adjustments like most Americans and business? I got some adjustments and was glad to see it.

 

[dogbert2521]

The debt helps to keep 'income' from being taxed

Every dollar that can be shielded from taxes "saves" you ~20-40% (or similar) that year, but this only applies if its used wisely (which can be the case with debt for new / improved equipment).

I have asked my kids how much their $100 device actually costs and its a bit of a wakeup call when they learn that they had to earn $140 to pay $100 (after taxes). This isn't a tax rant, but just another datapoint in the do-it-myself-vs-hire-someone calculus.

 

[jk96]

The meek and unsure typically carry less debt than the bold and confident. The windshield is always larger than the mirror.

I listened a bit to Dave Ramsey in the past and would want to turn him off every time someone mentioned a business opportunity or starting a new business. He always discourages them unless they could pay outright without a loan. If you listen to Dave no one would ever start a small business until they reached retirement age. I've always carried debt and a lot of it because I understood how to leverage that debt to bring in more money after interest than I could without it. It never bothered me but for some it can be extremely stressful without the right mentality and/or confidence. I have friends that have passed on some great business opportunities over a fear of debt.

 

[3Ts]

I'm aware that Dave Ramsey's position is to get rid of all debt as soon as possible. However, I also think that his target audience are those people who can't manage their finances and are in way over their head in debt. For those people, I think his approach is a good one. However, for those who can and are aware how debt works and the risks involved, then debt can be a good thing.

 

[Jchonline]

As long as we (ie US taxpayers) are subsidizing food for Americans im fine with it.

 

[California]

As long as we (ie US taxpayers) are subsidizing food for Americans im fine with it.

Just don't call that socialism. Or entitlement.

 

[Jchonline]

May

Just don't call that socialism. Or entitlement.

maybe but better than starving!

 

[ovrszd]

And now the facts...

How much subsidy does the US give to farmers?


Direct government aid, accounting for 39% of net farm income, rose to a record $46.5 billion from $22.4 billion last year. … Yes, you read that right. This year, farmers (on net) will derive almost 40 percent of their income directly from the U.S. government. Forty percent.Dec 18, 2020

Yep. Fact.

I've went down this road before. And discussing this with the unknowing is never fruitful. We as a society wouldn't want to live in this Country without farm subsidies. Our individual food costs would quadruple. That cost increase would cost the individual taxpayer twice as much as it costs that taxpayer to subsidize.

On a second note. The grain farmers in my area will unanimously tell you they don't want the government involved. They'd rather have a free enterprise system.

An analogy would go like this.

1. Subsidize. Grow 200 bushels per acre of corn. Sell the corn for $6.00 p/bushel. Gross income $1,200 per acre. Handle 11,200 pounds of product per acre.

2. Non Subsidize. Grow 60 bushels per acre of corn. Sell the corn for $20.00 p/bushel. Gross income $1,200 per acre. Handle 3,360 pounds of product per acre.

No brainer.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes it is.

If I did my math right, it's $135 per person in our population. So for you and your wife, farm subsidies cost you $270 last year. How much money did you spend on food last year? Now multiply that by, going low here intentionally, two. Should more likely be multiplied by four. But my point can be made using a smaller number.