While I am as concerned as anyone that lowering the federal deficit is crucial, the current proposal for cuts in the farm bill could easily be read as an obituary for east Arkansas.  While it is true that many farmers would like fewer dealings with Uncle Sam via the USDA, it has sadly become necessary.  Farmers continue to produce and sell crops at levels below the cost of production.  I will cede the point that farmers have taken a bad rap for many years due to these direct payments.  But consider this: most of these direct payments are spent within a fifty mile radius of each farm.  Additionally, these USDA contracts with local farmers are a crucial factor in lending practices by local banks.  These banks in turn serve the entire community, not just the agri sector.

So it is that this uncomfortable partnership between Ag and Uncle Sam continues to keep our farms operating at a profitable level.  Consider the following: with all the talk about our dependence on foreign oil and the serious national security issues that this brings about, would we be comfortable with that same level of dependence for our food supply?  I think not!  Keeping farmers "down on the farm" is a matter of national security.