Redirect tax dollars to those most in need

I don’t think anyone would dispute the claim of the May 31 letter “CA editorial got it wrong” that the SNAP program suffers from fraud and abuse. However, this should not excuse the excessive subsidies doled out to large corporate farms, which receive thousands of tax dollars each year. Rick Unger wrote in Forbes Magazine on May 22 that U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher happens to be the second-largest recipient of farm subsidies in Congress.

EWG Farm Subsidies reports that from 1995-2012, Fincher Farms received over $4 million in total farm aid. For someone elected on the promise of reducing government spending, this is an outrage.

Most farm subsidies go to a small number of corporate farms. EWG’s Web page shows that from 1995 to 2012 the top 10 percent of the farms in Fincher’s district received 84 percent of all subsidies. The average amount these farms earned was $35,869. The USDA says 78 percent of Tennessee farms receive no aid. The idea that farm aid helps small farms is misleading.

Also, should the SNAP program be severely restricted, the money farmers earn for their crops would be greatly reduced. The CATO Institute and Taxpayers For Common Sense offer ideas on how to reduce the waste and expense of both programs. SNAP is included with the farm bill in order to gain bipartisan support.

Clearly, both programs need reform. Our tax dollars should be used more wisely so that those with the greatest need, whether it be small farms or hungry families, get the help they require.