Let me tell you something about myself. I have masters degree in Agricultural Economic from Texas A&M. I grew up in a small central Texas town of 10,000, where farming is the dominant industry. My father is a research entomologist with the US Dept of Ag. He works with farmers as his research has an impact on some of them. His wife is from an even smaller town, where her father runs a 400 acre farm, leasing another 400 acres. At one time he owned the local feed store and over the years has been able to support his family and stay in business, so as small farmers go, he is successful.
The fact of the matter is that if you do not operate 10,000 acres or more as a “corporate” farm, you will have a tough time making it. The produce generated by small farms is negligible. The small family farm is a dying breed but the taxpayer supports farmers more to help maintain a lifestyle than to ensure our food supply.
Some farmers have it together. Many others don’t. They drop out of high school and go into farming because they do not like being told what to do working for someone else, they do not want to learn a skill, they did not take school seriously and would have a hard time getting into college, or some other reason. Farming can be a form of escape for these people. I grew up with some of them. For those farmers who are really farmers and serious about becoming efficient and competitive, I have a lot of respect. But I do “get it” when it comes to farming.
As for “posers” on Harleys, we have some here in my office. These people are all middle aged professionals who have worked their whole life to raise kids and put them through school. Now that they have fulfilled their responsibilities, they have taken some money to buy a bike and enjoy themselves (some buying the junky Harleys and some buying Goldwings). I find that admirable. To call these people “posers” is a complete show of disrespect IMO. Many of the “true” bikers who take issue with the “posers” are actually blue collar workers who are NOT meeting their obligations, rather going off on their bikes, getting drunk and neglecting their families. I find NOTHING admirable in that.
