Farm Subsidies

If our nations farmers and rancher, who supply us with food aren't making any money it seems to me that I wouldn't want to continue my production either. If Subsidies benefit both the consumer and the farmer then they need to be in place. It's when the tax payers are paying farmers that are not struggling that causes problems. If there was a more balanced or regulated way for these subsidies it would be ideal. I was just working up north and I was able to speak with a few ranchers and farmers who receive money not to plant or raise livestock on their land. I also saw where others were receiving grants and using them to produce large amounts of products. Some farmers used part of the money to pay for the pumping of the water for their irrigation. They were able to pump so much they dried up creeks that had flown an additional twelve miles down stream. So far the government has not put any strict regulations on them. The farmers in the past had pumped reserved water back into the streams and creeks during the time the salmon run was in effect. The past few years this is not the case. When farmers are struggling to pay the bills and make a profit I believe farm subsidies are necessary. I think it is foolish to pay farmers and rancher not to work and produce on their land to keep supply and demand working. I think it would be better for America to produce as much as we can for our own nation instead of importing products that we can produce ourselves.