$147M of OUR Money Going to Brazil Cotton Farmers

Would you believe that you and I, as U.S. Taxpayers, are subsidizing Brazilian cotton farmers to the tune of $147,000,000 each year?

Yep, it's true! And ridiculous, in my opinion.

Here's the short version:

The U.S Government (that's supposed to be you and me) subsidizes U.S. cotton growers. The Brazilians complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) that this was unfair and illegal under the WTO rules. The Brazilians won. And over several years of U.S. appeals, the WTO stuck to their decision.

We (the U.S.) refused to cease paying our own cotton farmers, so that left only one recourse for the folks in Brazil: tax incoming U.S. products. They threatened to do just that. Ultimately, the two sides negotiated a payment of $147M/year to Brazil and they agreed to not tax imports from the U.S.

The result is that we are now paying subsidies to not only the U.S. cotton farmers, but also those in Brazil!!!

If you think this is just fine, please let your Senator and Representative know.

On the other hand, if you think it is not an appropriate way for your tax dollars to be spent, let them know that, too. Then let them know again and again.

The long version is on National Public Radio. You can listen to it or read it here:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/11/09/131192182/cotton

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