The Pigford Settlement, version how corrupt can Obama and Holder be?

[z31maniac]

I'm going to make you guys actually go do some research vs force feeding you the info.

But let's just say there was a history of descrimination against black farmers from the early 80s to the mid 90s.

The files shows that there were 1000-4000 possible claimants for the time period, considering there were only 33,000 black famers in the country. However, (IIRC) there were over 90,000 PAID CLAIMS to the tune of well over $1 billion. Many claimants were females from urban area who had never been farmers.

Now they are trying to figure out a way to pay out another $1.25 billion more for this crap.

[Massive Lee]

Under which administrations did the scam happen? Just askin'...

[z31maniac]

Under which administrations did the scam happen? Just askin'...

The descrimination took place under Reagan/Bush Sr/Clinton, the original settlement was approved on April 14th, 1999. Claims were to be filed by Sept 12, 2000.

However, on Feb 18th 2010, Holder approved and Sec Of Ag Vilsack approved another 1.25billion for "Pigford II" claims or people who had not previously filed, filed late or had "deficiencies" in their claim to file again. So it's not who was the "original settlement" under, it's that the first settlement made lots of fraudulent payments, but that Obama/Holder are trying to pay even more fraudulent claims under the program while resisting calls for an investigation into the program.

Keep in mind there is absolutely no question the black farmers were discriminated against, they were given smaller loans, etc.

[z31maniac]

"In calling for the probe, the GOP lawmakers said there were 94,000 claims filed under the settlement even though Census data shows there are only 33,000 black farmers in the United States."

- from TheHill


I'm still looking for a different source to confirm those numbers.

[Massive Lee]

... but that Obama/Holder are trying to pay even more fraudulent claims...

If the hand-out of checks from fraudulent claims hasn't happened yet, how do we know there are more fraudulent claims? Statistics I suppose. Is that a matter of coruption from the office that approved the claims, or just unefficient civil servants?

Let's hear "the other version" of the same story. I am now used to all the biased partisannery in this section, so, a second point of view is always welcome. I have in memory that black lady who approved loans, who "claimed" she was a racist against white farmers.... Snippets of a story is not the whole story.

[BraveUlysses]

Some of the data you're posting seems to vary from what's cited on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigford...ickman#Payouts)

Originally, claimants were to have filed within 180 days of the consent decree. Late claims were accepted for an additional year afterwards, if they could show extraordinary circumstances that prevented them from filing on time.

Far beyond the anticipated 2,000 affected farmers, 22,505 "Track A" applications were heard and decided upon, of which 13,348 (59%) were approved. US$995 million had been disbursed or credited to the "Track A" applicants as of January 2009[update], including US$760 million disbursed as US$50,000 cash awards.[3] Fewer than 200 farmers opted for the "Track B" process.

Beyond those applications that were heard and decided upon, about 70,000 petitions were filed late and were not allowed to proceed. Some have argued that the notice program was defective, and others blamed the farmers' attorneys for "the inadequate notice and overall mismanagement of the settlement agreement". A provision in the 2008 farm bill essentially allowed a re-hearing in civil court for any claimant whose claim had been denied without a decision that had been based on its merits.

[z31maniac]

^Hence you'll notice the last sentence of post #4 of this particular thread.

[BraveUlysses]

Yes, I saw that. But I also posted how many applied and how many were approved, which was nowhere near the 90k you mentioned in the OP.

It is entirely possible that there are and will be more fraudulent claims, but it's not as though these cases aren't reviewed.

[Massive Lee]

3 Republican administrations (Reagan, Bush Sr, Bush jr) and 1 Democrat administration (Clinton) started or participated to this mess. The current admistration (Obama) is only following what the previous administration left over (paying out) but is blamed by Reps for just doing so... Is that what happened/happens?

I understand the criticism that Obama has to live with, but after all, in many cases he's only cleaning up other peoples' mess...

[BraveUlysses]

3 Republican administrations (Reagan, Bush Sr, Bush jr) and 1 Democrat administration (Clinton) started or participated to this mess. The current admistration (Obama) is only following what the previous administration left over (paying out) but is blamed by Reps for just doing so... Is that what happened/happens?

I understand the criticism that Obama has to live with, but after all, in many cases he's only cleaning up other peoples' mess...

No. Try reading up on the issue.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Reparations loophole anyone?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reparations_for_slavery

Some proposals have called for direct payments from the U.S. government. One such proposal delivered in the McCormick Convention Center conference room for the first National Reparations Convention by Howshua Amariel, a Chicago social activist, would require the federal government to make reparations to proven descendants of slaves. In addition, Amariel stated "For those blacks who wish to remain in America, they should receive reparations in the form of free education, free medical, free legal and free financial aid for 50 years with no taxes levied," and "For those desiring to leave America, every black person would receive a million dollars or more, backed by gold, in reparation." At the convention Amariel's proposal received approval from the 100 or so participants,[5] nevertheless the question of who would receive such payments, who should pay them and in what amount, has remained highly controversial[6][7], since the United States Census does not track descent from slaves or slave owners and relies on self-reported racial categories.

[Massive Lee]

No. Try reading up on the issue.

Which version?

[reelop19]

When is enough enough? Was there discrimination against black farmers? Sure there was. Did they get paid? Yep. Did a bunch of other people jump on the bandwagon to get paid and at the same time scam a shit load of money? Sure thats the American way. Call it reparations or payback to a community that largely votes Democrat. Doesn't matter what you call it we're gonna eat that money because all politicians are afraid of black people.

[kronus]

all politicians are afraid of black people.

You're projecting.

Also, farmers are about as far as you can get from a community that largely votes Democrat.

[Farbin Kaiber]

^ Really kronus? Know a lot of farmers?

My next door neighbor is an Oregon transplant that has an Obama 08 sticker on her Subaru, and they grow acreage of organic produce and sell at the Co-op/Farmers Market.

(But, then again, you said largely...)
(And, I don't talk politics with them...)