Grist Comment Feed en http://www.grist.org/article/2009-06-23-agriculture-climate-waxman/ Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:26:03 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-06-23-agriculture-climate-waxman/1 The Ag dept has the structure on the ground closest to the farmers to regulate the offset program.  That is the good news and the bad news.  Their structure and staffing is currently bare bones and is barely able to implement current programs.  The carrots are readily handed out, but sticks are rarely imposed and when they are, most are reversed during appeals.  The govt. will largely be writing more checks with very few people  observing whether or not any of it is working and really making any difference.  This is the Cash for Dunkers program, as the recipients piss and moan to those handing out the green for the pseudo green.  

]]> The Ag dept has the structure on the ground closest to the farmers to regulate the offset program.  That is the good news and the bad news.  Their structure and staffing is currently bare bones and is barely able to implement current programs.  The carrots are readily handed out, but sticks are rarely imposed and when they are, most are reversed during appeals.  The govt. will largely be writing more checks with very few people  observing whether or not any of it is working and really making any difference.  This is the Cash for Dunkers program, as the recipients piss and moan to those handing out the green for the pseudo green.  

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