<p>Corporate socialists HATE competition. In fact, in another vein, Adam Smith himself wrote about the need for government restraints on capitalists because the latter would otherwise be unable to restrain themselves in uncompetitive practices. Didn’t quite work out that way (Engels was first to note).</p>
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<p>Absolutely right! and as for the farmers and employees, and other little people who are experiencing a temporary boon from the Ethanol boondoggle, they were fed a convenient lie, and swallowed it whole in the interest of keeping kith and kin together. But, if they had been told the truth, what ADM and myriad members of Congress have known all along, I doubt they would have been so quick to sign on, not if they knew the ramifications for their children and their children’s children, and for the health of the planet.</p>
<p>My family owns a small farm. For the first time in a long time, we are making decent money from our crops. It is not just huge companies making money. The family farmer is also seeing profit.</p>
<p>FYI, we have not changed our crop rotation in years. We did not suddenly jump into corn. Actually, we made more money in wheat.</p>
<p>To say this would not have evolved without ADM is absurd. There are scores of ethanol production companies and new ones emeging all the time.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.energy.ca.gov/reports/2001-08-29_600-01-017.PDF[/url]”>http://www.energy.ca.gov/reports/2001-08-29_600-01-017.PDF</a></p>
<p>Coattails, Barrons. They’re just riding the wave.</p>
<p>UMdad–I support farmers, and have family who are. Nevertheless, your farm’s success shouldn’t come at the expense of the country’s fiscal and environmental health. </p>
<p>(if you made more in wheat, why did you switch?)</p>
<p>We, like most farmers, consistently rotate 3 crops among our various fields. Last year it was wheat, corn and beans. We made the most money on wheat.</p>
<p>Ah, I understand. As I said, I know and support farmers, but biofuel just isn’t a good choice for the country’s future. I wish you well with your farm.</p>
<p>It’s like saying if there were no Ford there would be no cars. Get real. There is opportunity and motivation. If not ADM there would be 10 others in short order. Converting crops to ethanol was not rocket science.</p>
<p>There was an interview of Andrus many years ago, where he said that ADM would just assume that the Government Not be involved in subsidies because subsidies distorts the marketplace.</p>
<p>One side affect of ethanol production is that the grain surplus is diminished thus rising prices which could lead producers to become even more efficient and take more conservation measures. Another benefit is that now that, farmers in the underdeveloped countries can now produce subsistence food and fiber crops.</p>
<p>poetsheart:</p>
<p>prolly for the first time, I will disagree with one of your posts (#23). Even if told the truth, (‘hey, ethanol is bad economics for society and maybe bad for the planet, but it would be GREAT for you and put that Plasma screen on the wall and allow the missus to work at home’), the local masses would vote in the own economic self-interest.</p>
<p>Yes, mini, corporations hate competition, but so do employees. It is also in THEIR economic self-interest to do so.</p>
<p>UMDad: since you are in the biz (or your family is), can you shed some light on how many “family” farms are actually left (and not gobbled up by corporate)?</p>
<p>Family Farms -In our area of Michigan, it is mostly family farms. Even the big “milk factories” are owned by local families.</p>
<p>UMdad–my close relative who is a farmer is in SE Michigan. His family runs an orchard. Unfortunately, he has to work in a warehouse to supplement what the farm makes. It’s a beautiful place, though.</p>
<p>In Washington many of the orchards are being plowed under and converted to wine grapes. Many older owners have gotten out of the business and sold out to their Mexican laborers who can use extended families to do the work.</p>