For decades generation after generation of American have looked to the government for more and more entitlements, this transformation of the US from self-reliant to an entitlement nation began in earnest during the 1930s. This is not to suggest that FDR’s New Deal was a failure. Indeed, FDR deserves credit for actually doing something, while his critics did nothing and offered nothing in the way of meaningful solutions. Nonetheless as the government assumed a greater role in the economy a growing number of people came to rely upon the federal government to supplement their way of life. This entitlement mentality was not limited to individuals. Businesses, agriculture and industry soon embraced the entitlement mentality as well. Perhaps no facet of society has become more dependent upon such entitlements than the agricultural sector.

The cotton industry, in particular, receives sizeable subsidies from the federal government each year. These subsidies are an affront to the spirit of free and open trade. Cotton producers in the developing world took their case to the World Trade Organization, arguing the subsidies were illegal and tantamount to a tariff on cotton imports from abroad. The WTO agreed and demanded the US repeal the cotton subsidies. Finally the US Congress has done just that. The vote, however, did not come without its share of protest from the cotton lobby. As a result of this move US exporters and manufacturers will not receive any incentives to purchase domestic cotton and their success will depend largely upon their ability to compete in a highly competitive industry.

The move is long overdue, American industry, be it agricultural or manufacturing must compete based on their ability to produce a quality product efficiency and inexpensively. If domestic industries find themselves incapable of producing goods and services within such parameters they must pursue alternatives for which they have a comparative economic advantage. For generations the US cotton industry was second to none, at one point controlling over 75% of the market, through complacency and inefficiency that market share has steadily eroded. Like the US auto industry, the cotton industry must adapt. Those industries that fail to innovate and rest on their laurels are destined to fail and rightly so.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4672786.stm