The Evolution of U.S. Tax Policy in My Life Time!!!
I think all U.S. Taxpayers should read this piece and forward it to a friend! For this PDF needs to be part of the national debate on wealth and power! Read and Think! http://elsa.berkeley.edu/~saez/piketty-saezJEP07taxprog.pdf
USDA-FSA need to Administer Federal Crop Insurance!
News Release or Letter to the Editor:
Federal Crop Insurance should be Administered by USDA-FSA!
As the USDA Risk Management Agency struggles to renegotiate a new Standard Reinsurance Agreement with Private Crop Insurers. Why isn’t Agriculture Secretary Vilsack directing USDA-RMA officials and local County FSA employees to put a true government alternative on the table to address the runaway costs of Federal Crop Insurance.
For without a true alternative on the table, the private insurers have the upper hand in retaining their Insurance Gravy Train. Where American Taxpayers bare the risk and private insurer’s profit, as pointed out in the taxpayer funded Milliman report to USDA. Plus USDA data shows the taxpayer cost for Crop Insurance for the 2007 crop at $3.8 billion and jumping to $7.7 billion for the 2008 crop. Costing taxpayers more than the traditional farm subsidy checks sent for the 2008 crop. All this under a period of good yields and near record prices for major crops. But it’s still not news worthy to the national press, even while the health care and deficit debate rages over costs. This lucrative Federal program quietly protects Farmers enjoying the best of times without a national examination of them or their agents.
What taxpayers and Congress fail to understand, is that local county Farm Service Centers have the data and factual relationships with farmers, to deliver the program at a fraction of the cost of private insurers. Yet where are the congressional budget hawks to hold an independent public hearing, to consider this real government option for major cost saving for today’s taxpayers?
The missing fact of life for local USDA office sites and FSA employee’s is the need to retain their local location and jobs. As President Obama and Congress are forced to bring spending cuts inline to address the Federal deficit. So why aren’t these local FSA employee’s addressing the economic environment their in. Just as Post office cuts take place both nationally and in rural areas which will surely move into their offices if they don’t become pro-active. For today’s financial reality shows Farmers no longer need the historic direct payments subsidies that were the basis for these offices. Yet today our financially strong Farmers only need a sound commodity loan program to manage crop inventories to address fair market pricing! So administrating Crop Insurance with much lower costs can be the FSA offices 2010 innovation!
For the present buffet of Federal Crop Insurance options available to America’s Farmer’s is an outrage. For in 2010 the premium subsidies are paying as much as 81% of the cost of insurance for millionaire Farmers, with no subsidy limit’s and many options for insurance driven profits! All as 47 million needy Americans go without health insurance! So where’s the Justice President Obama, Secretary Vilsack and members of Congress?
Alan Roebke (REB-key) Alexandria Minnesota
Here is what one County office director said: Alan, Our employee association has argued FSA taking over crop insurance for quite some time. Hopefully, one day we can get somewhere with it!!
Thanks – very interesting…
Take care.
Funding Vehicle For Health Care Reform
The Hybrid Funding Vehicle needed for Healthcare Reform and Access in 2010!
“The Alan Roebke (REB-key) Plan”Under the plan, all 47 million uninsured American’s will be covered, using this funding vehicle. At a lower government cost and better coverage, than any other proposed plan. For all uninsured income receiving adults will contribute to this funding Vehicle. As well as all U.S. employer’s which have employees without health insurance or have employees with no employer health insurance support. This plan also includes and supports self-employed individuals and families without health insurance coverage and need at least short term help.
The funding will come from a minimum contribution of $25/week, from all uninsured employees and self employed, individuals without insurance or $1300/year/adult. This contribution amount will also come from unemployment benefits and other government support received! Allowing a “work day”, to earn said $25 dollars without reductions in benefits or States can contribute to the $25 for an adult or act as an employer as well.
All employers will contribute a minimum of $25/week/uninsured employee ($50 for seasonal) or self- insured employees without employer support or $1300/year/employee. The State can act as an employer!
The Federal government will also contribute $25/week/citizen, Man, Woman and Children without health insurance or $1300/year each. Which would include an arbitrated income cap, access review and contribution formula’s, selected by industry and or Congress. With best options and market access revealed to the insured, by the employer, insurer and HHS. Allowing the insured to include State Agency’s and non-profit advisor support in final selection and eligibility process.
This means an uninsured family unit of four, will have a total of $10,400/year to purchase a private health insurance policy and start a health savings account. The funds come from the $2600/year from their two adult employers. An additional $2600 from the Federal Government for the two income generating adults and $1300 each for the two children or another $2600/year. Plus a $2600/year contribution from the income producing adults. The plan also allows a State offered health policy or plan and a Federal selected or suggested policy from HHS. Allowing the immediate start of a health savings accounts from this plan to address Dental needs. As health insurance guidelines, are worked out for this new insurance plan by Congress. This plan is operated using our present government and private payroll computer systems. To collect and transfer funds, so uninsured citizens simply have the funds to purchase private health insurance on their own or through their employer or State!
The cost of this plan will be capped at $610 billion over ten years or $61 billion per year. Compared to the latest Obama plan of $950 billion or the Trillion Dollar plus plans from Congress. It’s a good number because many can contribute more than $25 and healthcare costs will drop under good governance and our need to deflate all U.S. market costs.
Roebke developed this hybrid, based on the McCain – Obama view of healthcare from the 2008 campaign. Which includes the rival views of today’s Republicans and Democrats or Liberal and Conservative debate. Yet this plan addresses the fact that all Americans need health insurance at sometime and insuring all, best addresses costs. When all income producing adults, contribute to their Families healthcare needs and the plan/vehicle delivers real healthcare justice for all.
Roebke also views his vehicle/plan, as a major cost cutting tool for State budgets! Allowing each State to have better healthcare coverage for low income citizens, with needed Federal help.
Drafted by Alan Roebke (REB-key) Alexandria Minnesota, www.CongressionalChange.com This copyright plan or vehicle can be published as a “Letter to the Editor” or used in news pieces if source is credited! First posted on Agweb-discussions!
Taxpayers Right To Know
Taxpayers Right to know and Fair Policies Audio Clip
Senator Blanche Lincoln
News Release/Letter to Editor:
Insurance Reality for Senator Blanche Lincoln, Ag Chairman!
Senator, the University of Arkansas’s report stating $300 million in crop losses in Arkansas in 2009, due to flooding and poor weather conditions are covered by $930 million in Federal Crop Insurance coverage purchased by Arkansas Farmers for their 2009 crops. Insurance that the U.S. taxpayer paid 79% the insurance premium for your Arkansas Farmers in 2009. While your Farmers are also protected by the SURE disaster program in the 2008 Farm bill, which has another $3.8 billion budget to cover farm losses.
So Arkansas and U.S. taxpayers should be asking you; “why the need for more Farm income support”? When farmers are enjoying the third straight year of record crop prices and continued fixed crop subsidies under the 2008 Farm bill. Including about $90/acre to Arkansas Rice Farmers who USDA data shows had already enjoyed a $450/acre profit from selling their crop in 2008!
Leaving the question, what will you do to address the runaway cost of Federal Crop Insurance that has jumped from Costing the Taxpayer $2.5 in 2005 to $9.2 billion in2008. Which for the 2008 crop will top the traditional farm subsidies debated for over a year in Congress. While quickly consuming two thirds, of the $22 billion budgeted in the 2008 farm bill, to fund the program for five years with three crops still remaining.
So how do you justify giving $79 million to millionaire Arkansas Farmers and $5.4 billion for all American Farmers in 2009 to reduce crop insurance premiums by about 60% nationally? While waffling on Health Insurance for the most needy in Arkansas and America? Alan Roebke (REB-key) Alexandria Minnesota
Federal Crop Insurance Costs & Subsidies
News Release:
Questions for Ag Secretary Vilsack, Ag Chairman Peterson, New Ag Chairman Lincoln & Former Chair Senator Harkin, relating to Documented Federal Crop Insurance Costs & Subsidies! The Publics Right to Know!
Taxpayers have a right to know how Congress has lavished the American Farmer with Federal Crop Insurance Premium Subsidies totaling $5.410 Billion for the 2009 Crop, paying about 60% of the Farmers Premium! While providing huge “Administrative Margins” and “Underwriting Gains” of $4.647 Billion in Crop Year 2008 for their insurance company friends and Agents! All to reward these titled “Crop Insurance Companies”, who have transferred most of the risk to Taxpayers and the financial gains to themselves! While ignoring the fact that Farmers have enjoyed “Record Crop Prices in 2007, 2008 and 2009″ and could pay their own Premiums!
Today’s high crop prices and hidden political governance, has driven USDA insured crop income exposure from $44 billion in 2005 to $90 billion in 2008. Leaving the Taxpayer with the bill for insuring the 2008 crop, at a stunning $9.233 Billion. Compared to $2.587 Billion for the 2005 crop, all in a period of good farm yields and record Farm income and Farm net worth!
Allowing the “Farmers Premium Subsidies” to jump from $2.337 billion in 2005 to insure 246 million acres, to $5.696 Billion in 2008 to insure 272 million acres. Leaving the first two crops of the five year 2008 Farm Bill, with crop Insurance costs now running above $15 Billion. Which is as high or higher than the present traditional “Direct Crop Subsidy Payments” debated for two years in Congress, which both President Bush and President Obama called for cuts!
All while the House and Senate Ag Committee’s, told Taxpayers they had soundly budgeted the Farm bill. Where $22 Billion is documented as the five year, cost of federal crop insurance for the 2008 Farm Act. Which means, only $7 Billion remains for the next three crops. So what will Congress and the Administration cut, is the question Taxpayers deserve answers on today? All as 47 million American’s have no Health Insurance, while Farmers have Supper Federal Insurance Coverage for their Crops!
Alan Roebke (REB-key) Alexandria Minnesota See Below: Do you believe sound government policy is to give a farm in Pembina ND $552,114 to farm big?
Summary/Comparison of two subsidies receive by ND and most American Farmers:
EWG.org shows $222 million in traditional Direct Crop Payment Subsidies in 2007 [est. same 2008]. Compared to CongressionalChange.com/USDA number of $622 million for Crop Insurance Subsides in 2008 or 2.8 times more insurance Subsidies for ND.
One ND county shows recipient of Total Direct Payments or Traditional Subsidies for farms in Pembina County ND are $6.31 million, in Direct Payments in 2007 [2008 will be about the same, 2008 data not released yet by USDA]. These are Crop subsidies based on production history, reported on www.EWG.org for years and are separate and in addition to crop insurance subsidies already listed by www.CongressionalChange.com. Pembina Counties Crop Insurance Subsidies by comparison for 2008 Crop Insurance subsidies are $19,597,768. On a per acres basis we est. Crop subsidies for Pembina Co. at about $12/acre and Insurance subsidies at $36/acre for Pembina county.
The largest crop subsidy amount listed by EWG.org for a farm in Pembina County in 2007 was $236,817. While CongressionalChange.com research shows $522,114 for the largest Crop Insurance subsidy tracked in 2008 but combination data was not available, so some are likely higher yet in some ND county. Alan Roebke
|
Crop Year
|
State Abbr
|
County Name
|
Policy Count
|
Acres Insured
|
Total $$$ Premium
|
Subsidy in $$$
|
|
2008
|
ND
|
Pembina
|
1
|
10,572
|
935,789
|
552,114
|
|
2008
|
ND
|
Kidder
|
1
|
2,915
|
821,543
|
451,849
|
|
2008
|
ND
|
Golden Valley
|
1
|
8,820
|
584,043
|
344,589
|
|
2008
|
ND
|
Bottineau
|
1
|
6,758
|
684,413
|
376,425
|
|
2008
|
ND
|
Stutsman
|
1
|
6,870
|
429,705
|
236,339
|
|
2008
|
ND
|
Pembina
|
1
|
2,132
|
349,906
|
223,940
|
|
2008
|
ND
|
Bottineau
|
1
|
6,758
|
684,413
|
376,425
|
|
2008
|
ND
|
Barnes
|
1
|
4,829
|
563,677
|
310,022
|
|
2008
|
ND
|
Cass
|
1
|
4,964
|
402,575
|
237,520
|
|
2008
|
ND
|
Grand Forks
|
2
|
9,552
|
803,613
|
507,526
|
Now see how America’s largest Farm organization views health care reform after their members receive huge Federal Crop Insurance Subsidies!
AFBF Urges House to Oppose Health Care Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 3, 2009 – American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman today urged all members of the House “to stand with our nation’s farmers and ranchers and oppose H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.”
In a letter to the House, Stallman said health insurance costs are an ongoing and significant expense for agricultural employers, and health care reform must not unduly burden farm and ranch businesses with costs they can’t afford.
“While tax incentives in the bill are designed to help small employers cover health care expenses, there are no allowances for seasonal workers common to our industry,” Stallman wrote.
“ We are opposed to an employer mandate and view an 8 percent payroll tax imposed for non-coverage as excessive and as burdensome as mandated coverage.
“Farm Bureau believes that health care is primarily the responsibility of individuals, and we are opposed to provisions in the bill that mandate individual coverage. Most farmers and ranchers are self-employed and would already cover themselves if they could afford it. Passing a mandate accompanied by the threat of a tax for noncompliance only makes the situation worse for people unable to afford coverage in the first place,” Stallman wrote.
Farm Bureau supports private, market-based reforms and is opposed to the creation of a government-operated health insurance program.
“We believe that the creation of an exchange where individuals and businesses can easily compare and purchase privately offered insurance will encourage the competition necessary to bring about cost savings,” Stallman wrote.
See additional Crop Insurance Stories/benefits/rewards/perks/Info from one Ag Press source at www.dtnag.com Links below:
Flu Shot Prices
Ethanol Subsidies
It’s time to end the Ethanol subsidies program and save $55 million for Minnesota tax payers!
New letter to Editors, Feb. 11th
Read letter to Editor in many Outstate newspapers before viewing video’s!
Now observe our legislative leaders and Senator Clarke’s silent smile of support. The classic example of St. Paul agitation, needed to secure “Minnesota Ethanol Subsidies”. Part of the “well orchestrated political pot of enzymes”, needed to protect their fermented Friends!
Alan is a strong corn based ethanol supporter for both Minnesota and the nation but without subsidies. Review Alan’s analysis of Legislative Leaders on the video below:
This is the economics that Alan Roebke would like to address.
Financial Charts
Alan says this will help you understand the Mess: As Joseph Stiglitz joins the Morning Joe gang to discuss the Obama administration’s plan to deal with the toxic assets dogging some U.S. banks.
Click here to watch video.
Alan’s view on the “Economic Crisis” before the election
Alan’s view on the “Economic Crisis” before the election:
Minnesotans need to understand why over seven thousand 7th District residents voted for Alan in the September 9th Republican primary, yet Alan was blocked from the podium by special interest groups in the district.
Roebke is a progressive vote to put all the issues on the table for 7th District residents to see and understand before they vote for a new Congressman in November. After 18 years of Collin Peterson, we have a mess on our hands – $4 gasoline, an economic and housing crisis and continued lack of affordable healthcare. So vote for Alan Roebke on Tuesday in the Republican primary. Experienced as a Farmer, a leader and a candidate who truly understands what needs too change. See more at Congressional Change.com.
“Ethanol blending policy a $5 billion dollar cost for taxpayers!”
This week I visited a typical fuel terminal in Alexandria Minnesota, which sends semi-loads of 10% ethanol blended gasoline bound for western Minnesota stations. As a candidate for congress and strong supporter of corn based ethanol, I wanted to observe the blending process. For congress sends a tax credit of 45 Cent/ethanol gallon blended to gasoline or $382 for a tanker load of gasohol, to someone in the petroleum industry.
What I found was a simple loading and blending process. Conducted not by big oil but by the truck drivers, who safely load and deliver gasoline, diesel fuel and heating oil daily to retail or wholesale outlets in the area. These drivers said adding ethanol was no problem just part of the job. As I watched them use the same terminal loading and metering equipment used for other fuels. I timed them, less than a minute’s interruption of fuel flow for the ethanol blending process, yet no one new who got the tax credit!
For an hour and half I had the privilege, of observing at least a dozen trucks load. While talking with the people in this well run terminal and driver driven fuel delivery system. For once the trucks drove into loading position, it only took 15 to 20 minutes tops to load 8500 gallons of ethanol blended gasoline or a multiple load of gasoline, diesel or heating oil.
What is still missing in this release is ethanol has been selling for about 45 cents/gallon cheaper than 84 or 85 Octane gasoline. So with ethanol at 114 octane, ethanol actually helps the terminal reach the 87 or 89 octane fuel grade consumers need, at a cheaper price than the base fuel gasoline.
Then when I checked with the cost of delivering a typical load of gasohol, which I watched load, going to Willmar Minnesota 65 miles away the freight cost was $395. So the question for Congress is, do they think someone in the petroleum industry needs help paying the freight for $4/gallon gasoline? So with America needing a proven alternative fuel or additive anyway, like corn based ethanol, why are we paying for the process of blending? When this years corn crop will deliver enough corn based ethanol, for 8% ethanol in all the American gasoline used, even with out imported ethanol. Why not just mandate its use? The trucks said they’ll gladly blend the ethanol, it’s part of their job as good citizens. So I believe consumers would be outraged, if they could see what I have seen, even corn farmers. Alan Roebke (REB-key) Republican candidate in the 9-9-08 7th District congressional primary! www.congressionalchange.com
Now compare the average citizen’s $600 stimulus check in 2008 to the guaranteed direct payment farmers received even after having the best prices in 35 years. See what your present Congressman Collin Peterson did for Farmers in our Congressional District compared to the support he gave the average citizen in the following counties. The 2008 Farm Bill, that was just passed by Peterson/Congress gives Farmers the Direct Payments that you will see, by clicking on the counties below. The 2007 payments will continue in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 regardless of what crop prices are if the listed farmers stay with their 2007 acreage! Yet if prices crash they can lock in 2007 and 2008 high prices for a new costly subsidy option program called “ACRE” that the farm bill didn’t include in it’s budget process!
Peanut policy is a prime example of mis-guided farm policy that Collin Peterson was heavily involved in with his best buddy Senator Chambliss.
Voters, do you believe farmers in your county/area should still receive large subsidy payments as Collin Peterson does, even as they enjoy some of the highest incomes in rural America? Alan Roebke says ‘No’ to continued subsidies but believes his farm policy can replace subsidies with a sound commodity loan program, to better address the farmers new high cost of production. Similiar to how patents, copy rights, and trademarks etc. help business face their daily economic challenges!
See links to 7th District counties below.
Press Releases
Click here to read current
press releases.
Interim Report on Peanut Price Discovery
Interim Report on Peanut Price Discovery – Part 2
Letter from US Dept. of Agriculture to Mr. Roebke
Senator Chambliss: Press Release/Letter to the Editor!
Read Peanut Backgrounder with a grain of salt.
Farm Service Agency National Peanut Prices
WEEKLY NATIONAL POSTED PRICES FOR PEANUTS
The following prices are effective from 11/12/08 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time until
the next announcement occurs. The next announcement is scheduled for 11/18/08 at
3:00 pm Eastern Time.
* $564.75 per ton for Runner peanuts
* $558.95 per ton for Spanish peanuts
* $567.32 per ton for Valencia peanuts
* $567.32 per ton for Virginia peanuts
This week’s NPP is unchanged from last week.
National Agriculture Statistics Service Peanut Prices
Peanuts: Prices and Marketings by Type and Week, United States
Oct 11, 2008 – Nov 8, 2008
Average Dollars per Pound:
Runners 0.197 ($394.00/ton)
Spanish 0.147
Valencias 0.195 – 0.220
Virginias 0.188 – 0.201
All 0.188 – 0.201
Farm Subsidies in the 7th District of Minnesota!
Farm Subsidies in the 7th District of Minnesota!
