A lot of undocumented illegals are driving a very large number of Farm Trucks and Tractors on US Highways. Farmers do not carry liability insurance on Tractors. Some dont carry insurance on Farm Trucks. Who pays for the damage caused when one of the undocumented illegals hits a car or truck? Who pays for medical treatment? Who pays for the damage the farm equipment causes to Streets and Highways? The list of questions on Who Pays is endless. Farmers have been enjoying a free ride for years. It is time they step up and start carrying/paying their share.
I am a firm believer in "If You Caused The Problem, You Not The Taxpayer Pays". I also believe, and this is upsetting to some, that we need Rules and Regulations to insure that when an individual violates the rights of another or the rights of several by an action that they, not the victim be held responsible and accountable.
If what you said was even vaguely true on any sort of scale, you'd have a point. But....
I've been a farmer for more than 40 years. I've NEVER taken a truck or any other piece of equipment on a public road that WASN'T insured, nor has any of my hired hands. No, it's NOT the same sort of automobile policy you have on your Family Truckster, but my equipment is probably more substancially "covered" than anything you've ever drove in your lifetime.
I personally know of NO....NONE....ZERO....REAL farmers who operate without a farm liability policy. Try running a sizable "for profit" farm operation these days WITHOUT a very substantial line of credit....Now try getting that line of credit WITHOUT detailing every aspect of your farm operation. Not insured? Out the door you go (without a check) You really should learn the FACTS before going off half cocked, making accusations that border on ridiculous.
Free ride? What planet have you been living on?
Oh, all us terrible "rich farmers"..... (If only there was a shred of truth to THAT...)
Now that you've put your foot squarely into your mouth, let me tell you what you said is an INSULT to the intelligence of every farmer in America. We aren't a bunch of stupid hicks. It's not UNcommon for farmers today to be in control of a multi-million dollar business venture. My relatively small operation will gross well over 10 times the average US individual income. (and I consider myself VERY small potatoes...) I know personally of several single owner farms that gross well into the millions (with an "s".) You don't get there being stupid. We aren't morons. We know all about insurance and "being legal". The vast majority of farmers are competent, well educated, hard working businessmen who live with more rules and regulations than you would ever imagine. We AREN'T criminals or habitual law breakers. Obviously, you know VERY little, if anything at all about farming in 2011......Any "normal business" that turns the dollars a typical large farm does can expect several times to profit margin we operate at, and they do so with considerably LESS risk. And that leads to years (decades even) where we take one step forward and two steps back financially. The idea of a "free ride" is absolutely hysterical. Your opinion of farmers is just plain NUTS.....
When you get what you WANT, I hope you're happy with $20 loaves of bread and $50 a gallon milk, 'cause that's where this is headed if those who think like you get their way.
Living in a dream state might be a "happy place" for you, but REALITY is where I'd rather stay.
