If the Tea Party is serious about cutting the deficit, we will know by observing whether they cut or eliminate farm subsidies -- a program that almost all agree is "Welfare for the Wealthy."
If they do eliminate farm subsidies, they would make a substantial statement on two fronts. First, they would indicate they are serious about reducing the deficit, and second, they would be demonstrating that they are not beholden to the undisclosed wealthy who financed their campaigns.
This issue comes close to home for some Tea Party Republicans. Michelle Bachmann from Minnesota wants to eliminate farm subsidies although her father-in-law has received $250,000 in subsidies within the last 15 years.
The newly elected congresswoman from Missouri, Hartzler, wants to keep the program that has provided her and her husband $770,000 of taxpayers' money in fifteen years.
Although Stephen Fincer, new GOP congressman from Tennessee, campaigned on cutting federal spending, he defends farm subsidies which have provided his family with $3.2 million in the last ten years.
We will know them (the Tea Party) by their works.
(Subsidy payments available at Environmental Working Group website.)
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