"Federal Government Is Responsible for the Downfall of Business and Farming"

While enjoying a bluegrass/rockabilly musical performance with friends Saturday evening, I had a conversation with a friendly couple from Putnam County in north Missouri. It did not take long before the woman outlined how the federal government was responsible for the downturn in the US economy, as well as for over-regulating farming. In short, she blamed the federal government for all the ills of society.

The outspoken woman described the couple's difficulty in maintaining a trucking business, mentioning the economic conditions and excessive government regulations as the cause of their troubles. They also discussed the economic conditions for residents in Unionville, Missouri, a rural town with a population of 3000. I shared how my wife's family had relied on income from a small diary farm and row crops, while both her parents worked full-time jobs in meat-packing and state mental health facilities. They quickly blamed the federal government for programs that prevented farmers from prospering, despite my efforts to insert how large multi-national companies, like Cargill and Tyson, have impacted small farming and consolidated food production. (If you think this is an argument "for" the Federal government in all cases, a review of the USDA's promotion of harmful DDT in farming points to one example of excessive intrusion.) Having a conversation in a smoky Blue Springs Missouri bar with a loud band in the background didn't help the discussion.

The conversation showed the animosity some people have for government programs, despite some of the benefits these programs have for sustaining communities and relieving poverty. Just take a look at the need and acceptance of Federal food assistance programs in Putnam County, where Unionville is located.

Statistics show that a "very low" percentage of people eligible for SNAP/Food Stamps participate in the program in Putnam County, though a "very high" percentage of people that are eligible participate in Free and Reduced Lunch program and receive food from private pantries. These stats show both the acceptance of Federal food assistance, as well as the difficulty.

One reason people in rural areas don't apply for SNAP is because applying usually requires a visit to a distant office to file an application. And charitable food pantries don't serve as many people in rural areas because of the distance residents must travel to a pantry. However, the lunch program is administered from the school, in other words, close to where the kids can gain benefits, which may explain the much higher participation levels.


These programs provide a significant relief for working families, in many cases the assistance is what stands between a family and a poverty-level income as described in a US Census poverty report.

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