US Politics Thread 2021-24

[Onkel Neal]

It has begun

https://www.youtube.com/live/MmGQULW...jNG44pS&t=2224

[Commander Wallace]

Originally Posted by Onkel Neal

August and all Trumpers, I owe you an apology. Looks like Trump is going to truly empty the swamp.

If you really mean that, no apologies needed. If the swamp is emptied and the U.S is returned to Constitutional norms and common sense prevails, we will all be winners. I hope for that for everyone, regardless of who people voted for.

[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by Onkel Neal

It has begun

https://www.youtube.com/live/MmGQULW...jNG44pS&t=2224

Battle of the century.

[Commander Wallace]

^ and you believe that ?

[August]

Originally Posted by Onkel Neal

August and all Trumpers, I owe you an apology. Looks like Trump is going to truly empty the swamp.

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

If you really mean that, no apologies needed. If the swamp is emptied and the U.S is returned to Constitutional norms and common sense prevails, we will all be winners. I hope for that for everyone, regardless of who people voted for.

Agreed. I hope that he is successful and that it lasts beyond his presidency.

[Red Devil]

Originally Posted by Onkel Neal

It has begun

https://www.youtube.com/live/MmGQULW...jNG44pS&t=2224

About time, now lets get the UK to follow suit, weare being screwed by socialists in every theatre, we have sicko's ruining people lives, especially th elderly. The labour socialists got in because the predessors (Conservatives) lost it scared of offending someone. But voters now are turning to the Reform UK party on massive numbers. The labour, scared to death of this, are trying to ban illegally democratic local elections to try and stop Reform gaining even more. These socialists I have modelled on Americas democrats who are going to still try and thwart the Presidential elections walkover, exactly what they did the last time democracy ruled in the US of A. Stick to it if you want America to be a great nation again.

[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

^ and you believe that ?

Yes, I do.

[Skybird]

Four years is a long time. Don'T count your chickens before they are hatched.

[Catfish]

I guess Markus may be interested

"Let’s Buy California from Trump – Denmark’s Next Big Adventure"
https://denmarkification.com/

[Commander Wallace]

Originally Posted by Catfish

I guess Markus may be interested

"Let’s Buy California from Trump – Denmark’s Next Big Adventure"
https://denmarkification.com/

If you are heading up the negotiations for California, let's talk. If California is purchased, you have to take the liberal crazies too including Governor Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass. No refunds, no exchanges, no exceptions.

Look on the bright side, you get to keep Aktung too. Although, we would have to open negotiations for Aktung's return.

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Catfish

I guess Markus may be interested

"Let’s Buy California from Trump – Denmark’s Next Big Adventure"
https://denmarkification.com/

Markus

[u crank]

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

If you are heading up the negotiations for California, let's talk. If California is purchased, you have to take the liberal crazies too including Governor Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass. No refunds, no exchanges, no exceptions.

It's the same thing with Trump's idea of making Canada the 51st state. With the exception of Alberta and Saskatchewan the rest of the country votes to the left. Not a good deal for the GOP.

[Otto Harkaman]

Eggs

H5N1 - After it is confirmed that avian flu has infected a farm, the USDA essentially takes over

[Catfish]

Let Musk shutdown the usda, problem solved. Ahem.

[Otto Harkaman]

It will be a big explosion with Democrats since it oversees SNAP

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has faced multiple accusations of corruption, waste, and mismanagement over the years. Here are some notable instances:

1. Discrimination & Civil Rights Violations

• Pigford v. Glickman (1999): A landmark lawsuit where Black farmers accused the USDA of systematically denying them loans and assistance. The government settled for over $1.25 billion in compensation.
• Similar lawsuits were later filed by Native American (Keepseagle v. Vilsack), Hispanic, and female farmers, resulting in additional settlements.

2. Farm Subsidy Abuse

• Payments to Wealthy Landowners: Reports have shown that millions of dollars in farm subsidies go to people who don’t actively farm, including wealthy urban residents and large corporations. Some payments even went to deceased farmers.
• A 2019 GAO (Government Accountability Office) report found that farm aid disproportionately benefited large agribusinesses over small farmers.

3. Food Stamp Fraud (SNAP)

• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly food stamps, has had issues with fraud and mismanagement.
• Retailer Fraud: Stores illegally exchanging SNAP benefits for cash.
• Recipient Fraud: People misrepresenting income to qualify. A 2016 USDA report estimated SNAP fraud at around $1 billion per year.

4. Wasteful Spending & Mismanagement

• In 2017, an internal USDA audit found that the agency wasted over $2.5 billion due to mismanagement in various programs.
• $10 million was spent on a failed database system that was never used.
• The USDA has been criticized for funding questionable research projects, including $500,000 for studying the effects of shrimp on treadmills.

5. Conflicts of Interest & Lobbying

• The USDA has been accused of favoring large agribusinesses like Monsanto, Cargill, and Tyson Foods over small farmers.
• Revolving Door Problem: Many USDA officials have had ties to corporate agribusiness, leading to concerns about regulatory capture.

Several USDA officials have been criticized for having ties to large agribusiness corporations, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. Here are some notable names:

1. Tom Vilsack

• Position: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (2009-2017 under Obama, 2021-present under Biden)
• Corporate Ties:
  • Served as CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (2017-2021), a trade group representing corporate dairy interests.
  • Strong ties to Monsanto—supported biotech crops and was criticized for favoring large agribusinesses.
  • Worked to speed up the approval of genetically modified crops during his tenure.

2. Michael Taylor

• Position: Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the FDA (not USDA, but closely related to food regulation)
• Corporate Ties:
  • Former Vice President for Public Policy at Monsanto.
  • Played a key role in deregulating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production.

3. Sonny Perdue

• Position: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (2017-2021 under Trump)
• Corporate Ties:
  • Prior to joining USDA, he ran Perdue Partners, an agribusiness trading company.
  • Accused of favoring large poultry producers over small farmers.
  • Under his leadership, USDA rolled back regulations meant to protect small farmers from corporate exploitation.

4. Chuck Conner

• Position: Deputy Secretary of Agriculture (2005-2008)
• Corporate Ties:
  • Former lobbyist for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, which represents agribusiness interests.
  • Strong advocate for corporate-friendly agricultural policies.

5. Richard Raymond

• Position: Under Secretary for Food Safety (2005-2009)
• Corporate Ties:
  • Close ties to meatpacking companies, which led to concerns about USDA’s oversight of food safety regulations.

6. Krysta Harden

• Position: Deputy Secretary of Agriculture (2013-2016)
• Corporate Ties:
  • Later became Chief Sustainability Officer at Corteva Agriscience, a major agribusiness company.

These officials are just a few examples of the “revolving door” between government and corporate agribusiness. Their policies and decisions have often been criticized for favoring big agriculture over small farmers and consumers.