The high cost of political help

July has been a tough month for farmers and ranchers in The Washington Post.
On July 2 and again July 18, The Post published lengthy investigative pieces on the enormous cost, wanton waste, and built-in silliness of today’s federal farm programs.
The page one headlines of each related the worst-kept secrets of Capitol Hill policy makers and U.S. food producers alike. “Farm Program Pays $1.3 Billion to People Who Don’t Farm,” announced the July 2 piece. “No Drought Required For Federal Drought Aid,” blared the later story.
Each then went on (and on and