Government Pork

[ugonow]

Literaly-------"WASHINGTON -- Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) has built a large part of her conservative appeal on strict opposition to federal intervention in the free market. Her real-time criticism of the Troubled Asset Relief Program earned her plaudits among the base voters who will soon decide Republican primary elections. Her pledge to repeal President Obama's health care law, on grounds that it imposes an across-the-board government solution, has become a focal point of her presidential campaign.

When it comes to the agriculture industry, however, Bachmann's record doesn't match the fiscal conservative hype. A Freedom of Information Act request for communications the Minnesota Republican has had with the Department of Agriculture shows that she leaned heavily on federal officials for help -- never more so than when it came to aiding the pork and dairy producers in her state.

On Oct. 5, 2009, Bachmann wrote Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack praising him for injecting money into the pork industry through the form of direct government purchases. She went on to request additional assistance.

"Your efforts to stabilize prices through direct government purchasing of pork and dairy products are very much welcomed by the producers in Minnesota, and I would encourage you to take any additional steps necessary to prevent further deterioration of these critical industries, such as making additional commodity purchases and working to expand trade outlets for these and other agricultural goods," Bachmann wrote. " www.farms.com/FarmsPages/ENews/NewsDetails/tabid/189/Default.aspx?NewsID=42144

[handyman2]

That was just good business all around. Stabilizing a commodity which has been the perview of the government since the depression is a win-win situation for all concerned. not only keeps prices managable but increases government revenue from the sales. Now if we could only do the same with oil.

[ugonow]

And here I thought it was just another case of my government spending ,or program good,yours bad.

[Deleted]

never more so than when it came to aiding the pork and dairy producers in her state.

I've never even understood how they can have a pork or dairy industry in MN. Damn that state is cold. Mrs OldTex is from there & I have had to go there in the winter. Burrrrr!