Forum Post: Ethanol Subsidies

Subsidies in general must be discussed more, directing public funds in support of select industries and corporations are a significant issue causing significant economic strain for the benefit of very few. Their intent is inherently to subvert a free market to benefit the financially endowed, who constantly use misleading 'proofs' and fear tactics to justify thier support.
I recognise that at times subsidies can be used to encourage a long term goal, but the ethanol mandate in particular is misguided. While our govornment abandons new clean air requirements that would have an impact for economic reasons, ethanol is forced onto the public - resulting in enriching commodities traders, blenders and oil companies at the publics expense.
This even now when virtually all recognise that ethanol production consumes huge volumes of water and it in reality provides NO environmental benefit and is truely inconsequential in reducing our reliance on foreign oil (a fear and isolationist pr tactic).
Ethanol created using foodstocks is an economic abomination. The solution is natural gas powered cars. Maintaining production at existing ethanol facilities could be accomodated by using crops planted on public lands so as not to displace or compete with farmed crops. I like the idea of planting apple trees on large tracts of public lands, and allowing ethanol plants to harvest them while eliminating all subsidies. This must be a talking point of the coming election.