CORPORATE – SMOKING OUT THE MYTH OF THE SMALL FARMER

[Guest guest]

americanprogress.com

 

CORPORATE – SMOKING OUT THE MYTH OF THE SMALL FARMER: Think the big tobacco

buyout was designed to help small farmers? Think again.

 

The WP reports this morning, " More than two-thirds of the $9.6 billion

tobacco-grower buyout approved by the House would go to only 10% of the people

and companies eligible for any compensation, according to a study by the

nonprofit Environmental Working Group. "

 

In fact, the study shows " the overwhelming majority of recipients -- 354,000 of

the 437,000 eligible -- would collect only $1,000 a year over five years. "

 

The bill which approved the buyout passed the House without debate; according to

Ken Cook, head of the Environmental Working Group – who obtained the information

this study is based on through a Freedom of Information Act –

 

" This is a huge taxpayer-funded buyout, and so far it hasn't been debated.

Before this goes any further, people need to know what the taxpayers will be

paying for. "