Despite the inevitable end of tobacco at the hands of those so opposed to it, tobacco farmers held onto the hope that they would not be completely trampled under the feet of their opponents running toward the victory they have desired.
Their hope was for naught.
A buyout, packaged in the certain end in which has been pushed down farmers' throats, seemed to offer hope that $8 per pound based on the 1998 quota would help them pay off their bills or serve as a hedge against the poverty lurking just around the corner. If they had to accept a buyout, at least they would be rewarded for morphing from hardworking, independent farmers to despised purveyors of America's favorite need to hang blame.
Well, guess what? They don't even get that.
This latest plan would replace the price-per-pound quota with 2002's base pounds. That equates to a 60 percent reduction in pounds paid. Sixty percent.
And so, once again, the farmer is not only made out to be the bad guy, he gets robbed in the process.
Let's total this up: You lose your livelihood. You're made to feel like a criminal. You may have to sell your farm and/or machinery just to survive. You have nothing else to grow on the rocky, sloping hills of Kentucky. And now you're going to be "compensated" for the few measly pounds you were given in 2002, instead of the more abundant quota you had in 1998 when you still also retained your dignity and independence. This all adds up to: Farmer, you've been had. Run over, trampled and left without a chance.
Keeping in mind that tobacco growers would not be too pleased, officials are quick to point out that if they make any fuss they might not get anything, and we wouldn't want that to happen. Would we? Would we?
The same farmers who used to frequent Farm Service Agencies and extension offices and farm supply stores are now struggling to find work any way they can. They can be seen in welfare offices and community resource offices just trying to make ends meet. But those ends aren't meeting. They're stretching farther and farther apart.
In a Courier-Journal editorial, it was written "Tobacco farmers are going to have to realize that the deal they want and think they deserve isn't the one they're going to get."
Really? Do you think so?
The editorial goes on to state that representatives in Washington don't think tobacco farmers should get a dime. Also, that "California people don't care about corn politics, but everyone has something to say about tobacco."
Where do these people think the rare, bloody steaks they consume at their political dinners comes from? I don't know about you, but I think the best Angus beef available comes from right here in Kentucky. And more to the point, why are the opinions of Washington, D.C. and California more important that those of the people living right here?
You know, I realize people die from smoking. My own mother died from smoking-related cancer. People also die from AIDS, obesity, crazy driving, alcohol and drug abuse, and a whole slew of other causes. People choose to smoke. They also choose to have unprotected sex, eat like pigs, and drive while simultaneously talking on a cell phone and applying lipstick. They die from cirrhosis of the liver and overdoses. They die from talking to strangers. And from depression.
So, here's the rural farm girl's proposal: We take the buyout and keep our mouths shut like the good little farmers we're expected to be. Then, next week we can file lawsuits to require that having sex outside of a monogamous, heterosexual relationship is no longer allowed. Not to worry, those affected can be compensated for the price of a puppy who will keep them company. Next, all fast food joints will no longer be allowed to serve anything with artery-clogging properties. (That includes Oreos in grocery stores, which we discussed a couple of months ago.) Those affected will be compensated with bean sprouts and carrot juice. All drivers will be stripped of their cell phones, cosmetics, magazines and on-board televisions, as well as radios because they could be distracted by the announcement of a sale over the airwaves. These folks will be given Valium because they'll be next to crazy. Alcohol consumers will be out of luck. It's diet soda for you, because if you turn to regular soft drinks you may get fat. Refer to section on fast food. Those affected will be given stress dolls to work through any problems they may have. And so on and so on.
On second thought, let us not go quietly into that gentle night. Let's rage, rage against the dying of the light. Open your mouths, farmers. Let your feelings be known. It's now or never.
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