In last 5 years, US govt has handed out $70 billion in payments to its farmers.
Don't believe me? Check out these databases
US Farm Subsidy database link
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/25/opinion/25weds3.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin
The bill would perpetuate an outdated and hugely expensive — $70 billion over the last five years — system of price supports and direct payments that disproportionately rewards big growers of row crops like corn, wheat and soybeans. More than half of this spending is concentrated in about 20 Congressional districts.
Incredibly, the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, touts the bill as a big step toward reform. Ms. Pelosi seems especially proud of a new means test under which farmers with adjusted gross incomes of $1 million or more would no longer receive subsidies, down from the present cap of $2.5 million.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070725/ap_on_go_co/farm_bill
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/26/washington/26farm.html
http://washingtontimes.com/article/20070724/EDITORIAL/107240019/1013
