THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 4, 1995 TAG: 9503030016
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
``Dole, Lugar talk tough'' (editorial, Feb. 21) on agricultural payments was especially one-sided and distorted. Farmers, an extremely conservative group, find it quite difficult to defend subsidies of any kind. Your editorial attacks unfairly with no attempt at explanation.
Whether impoverished teenage mothers, middle-class professionals, senior citizens or refugees, the primary beneficiaries of today's farm programs are the world's consumers. Food is inexpensive and plentiful. Dinner tonight for us all will be provided for literally dimes per person per day. Lunch at a moderately priced restaurant will cost more in tips than in raw food product.
As more of our citizens live in densely populated urban areas, we become even more dependent upon a viable farm economy. Americans have become increasingly insulated from the issues and difficulties involved in producing an abundant, nutritious and inexpensive food supply.
We spend approximately 10 percent of our weekly budget on food. Asians spend nearly 40 percent, and Africans almost 60 percent.
America runs an annual trade deficit of $100 billion; American farmers, a trade surplus of $20 billion.
Our service economy attracts an increasing number of voters with a decreasing ability to understand that we must have something to service! Our people eat well, and often many fail to realize where it comes from.
``Fat-cat farmers'' is a demeaning term and serves to stigmatize some of the most productive people on Earth.
Cut government spending, including farm payments. But do it wisely!
DALTON S. EDGE
Chesapeake, Feb. 22, 1995 by CNB