The New Farm Bill: Agricultural Planning

In explaining consumer sovereignty, Mises said:

Neither the entrepreneurs nor the farmers nor the capitalists determine what has to be produced. The consumers do that.

And this is accurate - in a free market. However, the Farm Bill has effectively put an end to that truth, in the United States. Passing with a veto-proof majority, the new farm bill expands subsidies further, and gives yet more power of direction to farmers and corporations; and their legislative managers.

Originally enacted (under other names, such as the AAA) the farm bill was a central planning program to control agricultural prices and support employment and wages. Over the past 75 years it has changed its mission, but it is still used for planning purposes.

Today, senators reel off speeches about the importance of directing funds toward "sustainable" energy, ensuring low food prices, and feeding the poor. Meanwhile, they don't mind that their interest groups and constituents reward them with votes for the generous subsidies. While congress no longer attempts to restrict production by commanding the farmers to kill their pigs, they still set quotas and control prices.

Is it possible to get congress to abandon this massive central planning program? There is such a loud and broad constituency for it (farmers including big business, low income and welfare advocates, environmentalists, and those who just like government regulation) that it seems unlikely. However, congress does respond to the voter. Let him not be irrational.

Update - Washington Watch says:

H.R. 2419
The Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007
Costs $5,727.56 per family