Veto-proof farm spending bill passes Senate

S.F. Chronicle reports:

The Senate passed the $290 billion, five-year farm bill by a strong veto-proof margin Thursday, ensuring that the measure becomes law despite President Bush's threatened veto, which would be the first presidential veto of a farm bill since Dwight Eisenhower's in 1956.

The 81-15 Senate vote followed overwhelming bipartisan passage of the bill in the House Wednesday. The measure continues $25 billion in direct payments, mainly to grain growers despite record prices; contains $3 billion in first-ever research and marketing money for California produce growers; and creates a new "permanent disaster" program that will subsidize wheat growers who plant marginal prairie land now set aside for wildlife and watershed protection.

Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who has based his campaign on a promise to end special-interest politics in Washington, issued a statement praising the farm bill, which is laden with special-interest subsidies. Obama said the bill will "provide America's hard-working farmers and ranchers with more support and more predictability."

It's difficult to see much difference in either political party: they both represent special interests attempting to loot taxpayers.Welfare for the powerful.Welfare for the well to do.Sickening.