[dscott]

trularin, you might want to think twice about the farming venture. Most of my in-laws are farmers and believe me it's tough going. The days of the family farm are going away and the only way to make a living is by expanding the operation. That's hard to do when a combine will cost $250,000. Kind of catch 22. My brother-in-law now farms about 12,000 acres but every acre is done at a loss because the price of corn and soy beans are at a level comparable to 30 years ago. The only way they make it is government subsidies. If the country would switch over to more of the ethanol based fuels the corn growers wouldn't need the fed help. I live in corn country and I can't think of too many rich farmers. Most believe they are producing products that help the country. I understand times have changed but we still need them. All of my family are proud of their heritage and their life as farmers. They are very proud to be americans, live in a free society, and give back what prior generations have tried to do. My wife and I just purchased her family farm, it has been in her family since 1918, her Dad was born and died in the house. I am very proud to have a part of her history knowing that her family members can still "come home". What a mess we have created, I only hope we can instill in our children what it means to wave our flag, have freedom, and truly understand the full impact of "made in America"
Don