John Howard is many things at different times, but right now he's a desperate old man making stupid decisions.

One of his most blatantly ridiculous choices in recent memory was made just this week when he handed over $714 million of our money to help a bunch of farmers in drought-stricken areas.

This latest bout of pre-election lunacy was met with hardly a whimper of protest, mainly because we're disproportionately sentimental about the plight of farmers.

Labor has also swallowed the rural hero myth, vowing to honour the lavish payouts if it wins government.

Labor is also caught up in the romantic view of farmers as rugged outback saints, altruistically toiling the wide, brown land to keep food on our tables.

The hero farmer myth is hogwash.

They're businessmen and women, full stop, just like anyone else trying to make a buck by running their own business.

Drought has been a reality of doing business on the land throughout the history of farming.

Other businesses factor threats and difficulties into their operating strategies, without relying on taxpayers to bail them out if they fail to address those challenges.

Drought is very different from cyclones or flash flooding, both sudden natural disasters deserving of one-off government assistance.

Why are farmers treated so differently, with such reverence?

Of course, Liberals candidate Charlie McKillop agrees with the handouts, and believes most Australians welcome drought assistance because of our nostalgic view of farmers.

In other words, it's emotional and political, not rational and economically sensible.

Australia can't afford to lose its capacity to produce its own food, so I'm not dismissing the crucial importance of farming.

An over-reliance on imports is a precarious and dangerous position for any country to be in.

If climate change starts to bite, food production will be more important than weapons in the defence of any nation's well-being.

It's just a pity we can't stop pouring cash into useless, fruitless dirt.

Why aren't we building infrastructure across Northern Australia, and moving expertise and investment to greener pastures?

Ms McKillop blames the state Labor Government's "extreme green" agenda for locking up untapped agricultural land in the Cape York region, despite the Howard Government's attempts to highlight its viability.

I'm glad she recognises the potential for increased agriculture production in the north.

It's also worth noting that the only good thing about the latest multi-million dollar handout is the $150,000 exit grant scheme for farmers to move off the land "with dignity".

The sooner public money no longer has to prop up these private business people the better.

Like it or not, when you take the emotion out of the reasoning behind the $714 million package, what are you left with? A blatant attempt to buy votes, a lack of foresight and another shameful waste of taxpayer money.