Political Quotes

“I want to talk about it because I think it is important to realize the cost of the peanut program. Not only do I refer to the cost of the peanut program to the American peanut farmers, to the millions of processing jobs, and to the consumers, but the cost to the Federal Government of the peanut program. As a result of the past farm bill, we now have a no-cost peanut program. Well, that may be true within the confines of the peanut program, but the program does two things. It limits the amount of peanuts grown for domestic consumption. It is a program that says here is how much will be grown in this country for use in this country. The Department of Agriculture sets that amount. In addition, it doesn't just limit the amount of the peanuts that are grown, it also sets the price. You might think that I am talking about the former Soviet Union here. No, this is America. We set how much farmers can grow, and we set what we are going to pay for that--all done by the Federal Government--which is an amazing thing, but that is how the peanut program works.”