Saxby Chambliss and the fat cat's burden

Saxby Chambliss: Now watch this drive
Originally uploaded by Grace Nearing.

Congress May Cut Food Aid, Not Farm Aid (Yahoo News)

Cuts in food programs for the poor are getting support in Congress as an alternative to President Bush's idea of slicing billions of dollars from the payments that go to large farm operations.

Well, it's only an alternative for the farmers now, isn't it?

Senior Republicans in both the House and Senate are open to small reductions in farm subsidies, but they adamantly oppose the deep cuts sought by Bush to hold down future federal deficits.

And when senior Republicans are adamant, it can mean only one thing: lobbyists.

Instead, Republican committee chairmen are looking to carve savings from nutrition and land conservation programs that are also run by the Agriculture Department [such as] nutrition programs like food stamps, school lunches and special aid to low-income pregnant women and children.

Ah, yes, can you just see it: One of the committee chairmen looked up from the budget figures and exclaimed, "I have an idea. Let's fuck the poor!" And that's just what they're going to do.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said the $36 billion food stamp program is a good place to look for savings.

"I want this to be as painless to every farmer in America as we can make it," he said.