According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which hosts an online database detailing federal ag subsidies between 1995 and 2009, about $4.3 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has found its way into the pockets of Idaho state legislators. Subsidies come in a variety of forms, including money for commodities when prices drop below federally-mandated levels, direct payments, and disaster recovery funds. A number of those receiving federal dollars have voted to push back on the federal government in years past or ran on a limited government ticket in 2010. Those lawmakers contacted had a common explanation – the federal government is very involved in agricultural production and pricing. They would prefer it to be otherwise, but market realities dictate that the payments are part of their farming and ranching operations/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. More here.

Question: Is it hypocritical to blast the federal government on one hand and accept farm subsidies with the other?