Harold Volkmer: “I offered an amendment to get rid of the three-entity rule, the one that under that bill gives the big cotton farmer…”

“I offered an amendment to get rid of the three-entity rule, the one that under that bill gives the big cotton farmer down in Texas and other places, and some of the rice farmers, $80,000 a year, folks, for 7 years. They do not even have to farm. I do not think that is right. I do not think we need welfare in agriculture. My farmers do not want freedom to farm or freedom not to farm. My farmers, even the best, and I just talked to one again yesterday, he has been very active in Missouri. It does not take a position on this farm bill of yours. I do not know of many farmers in my area of northern Missouri that do. They do not want to be paid by the Government. They want money from the marketplace. That is where they want their money. Yet you want to give them money every year; even if they make 1 million bucks, or if they make $100,000, you want to give them money. They do not want your money under those circumstances. They will be willing to take the money if the times are bad and they need it and prices are low; then, yes, they would like to have a little help to get through. I am willing to give them that help. But I do not think it is right to give major corporations in this country, major corporations, $80,000 a year, even if they make a half a million on their farm operations.”