The Policy Institute

On March 21, 2011 the Bozeman Daily Chronicle had an article on the front page titled, "Farm subsidies to Republicans draw cries of hypocrisy."

The article pointed out that 33 state legislators who are mostly Republicans, have received farm subsidies.

To research those who receive farms subsidies, paid for by U.S. Taxpayer, please google or perform an internet search, using the following words:

"EWG FARM SUBSIDY DATABASE"

The EWG website provides a user friendly database, where one can inquire by "farm name" or by "name of person" or by "last name and state."




"The Policy Institute" can be located the same way, by using the terms "The Policy Institute Helena" by google or another search engine. This website is user friendly also.

I was able to access the 16 page report by "The Policy Institute" on their website, and print with ease (pdf), referred to in the newspaper article.

I will suggest anyone interested in politics, take a look at the report by "The Policy Institute," and pay special attention to pages 6, 7, and 8 which provide information regarding some Democrat and Republican "legislators" (Senators and Representatives) who have received farm subsidies from 1995-2009.

The article by the newspaper, stated that of 33 legislators who received farm subsidies, 30 were Republicans.

The report provided by "The Policy Institute" did not include farm subsidies received by Democratic Senator Senator R. Jon Tester and his wife Sharla, nor did this report include farm subsidies received by Democrat Governor Brian Schweitzer and his wife Nancy. The total received by these parties is well over $800,000.00 from the time period 1994-2009. Each couple receiving over $400,000.00 of tax money to subsidize their farms.

The word "Hypocrisy" is used in both the newspaper article and title by "The Policy Institute." The word is directed at Republican legislators and senators.

I have to wonder why "The Policy Institute" would issue a report, which claims Republicans as hypocrits when it appears their own report was designed to shield Democrats from the same scathing accusation very creatively.

At face value, "The Policy Institute" report does make quite an impact, and is damning to Republican Representatives and Senators in Montana. Yet, if one takes a closer look, one might wonder if the report was designed to do just that. Is this fair and balanced information the public seeks, or was this report designed to attack Republicans in a passive aggressive way?

It is time we hold all of our elected officals to the same standards when judging their personal lives. I believe responsible, fair reporting concerning all Representatives, Senators and the Governor could have been easily compiled.

My personal views on subsidies are not black and white. However, I believe that men and women who are not actively "farming" their farms, trying to make an honest living should not be applying for nor accepting farm subsidies, courtesy the U.S. Taxpayer. I also have no doubt that many people of both parties are creating businesses out of farmland, while speculating for real estate purposes.

Honest farmers who work their farms, struggle and pray alot. Rich business people who own farmland, inherited or purchased that make their livelihood's another way, are simply raking in taxpayer money which they did not earn, nor do they deserve. That is my opinion.