It’s better than pissing off The Base.
The amount sent to farmers tops the auto-industry bailout by billions, and was delivered without congressional approval
There’s something wrong with buying silence?
What is surprising if “the government” enacts a policy, and then provides compensation to (its supporters) who are hurt by the policy?
Indeed, it’s a concept we probably should use more. E.g., pensioning off everybody who works in the coal industry now and shutting down coal mining by fiat. It’s an ideal way to neutralize opposition to harsh things that must be done for the common good.
Also, $14 billion per year in ag subsidies is a drop in the bucket. At times during my life, ag subsidies have exceeded $100 billion per year. At that level, the budget pain is so high Congress can actually muster the courage to prune them back to something reasonable.