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What Will They Do? I have been quite involved in dairy policy for a little more than 10 years. In my early involvement, Democratic politicians complained that nothing could be done to help farmers while Republicans were in control of the U.S. House and Senate. Later, when Democrats were in control of the House and Senate, the excuse for inaction was that nothing could be done as long as George W. Bush was in the White House. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Democrats fought hard and were very vocal on issues they cared about. Agriculture was not one of these issues. When Democrats did do something to “help” farmers, they threw taxpayer money at the problem, essentially allowing corporate, multi-national agribusiness to screw farmers worse, while the taxpayers made up the difference and everybody paid more in the store. Politicians may pat themselves on the back about the great things they have done for dairy, but refuse to acknowledge, let alone work to fix the underlying problems of gross corruption, anti-trust violations, manipulation and blackmail that have wrecked havoc in the dairy industry. Lack of competition and lack of transparency in the dairy industry and a Federal Milk Marketing Order System that is totally oblivious to the wishes of dairy farmers are all problems which need to be examined and addressed. In two months, Democrats will control the White House, House of Representatives and the Senate. Will they take action to clean up corruption in agriculture? Or will they maintain the status-quo “discretionary enforcement” of laws and food standards? Will they endorse the Penn State/Cornell corporate factory farms model and grant preferred status there too? Will President-elect Obama appoint an Ag Secretary that values farmers, fairness, and the right of people to know where their food comes from and what’s in it, or will he choose someone who is controlled by corporate agri-business, who wants to keep people in the dark about where their food comes from and what’s in it and is dedicated to maintaining the status-quo? Democrats are in control. The time for making excuses is over. Sincerely, Gerald Carlin Meshoppen, PA Our Little Economy This is an open letter. The contents need to be spread around, but the heart of the contents needs a center. What I am getting at is, say on Wilson Street, someone has a small business. All the people who could use what the business is making should buy from them. Then, say someone on Clinton Street sells, say handmade wreaths. Everyone should buy them, and in turn you have just started an economy. One of the ladies knows how to bake bread, another knows how to make soup. Another knits, another cuts wood, one cuts grass, one shovels snow! Yes, we can! This may be hard to follow, however. The oil delivery man in Binghamton could help, by maybe supplying them with heating oil at a lower cost, and then the community is stronger and gets to know one another. Sounds corny, but it is where we need to start. Maine street America, hello, we all live on one of the Main Streets. I bet one of you knows someone who has a little pull with the police, and the local judge’s mother, or the banker’s father, all of whom are capable of lending a helping hand to keep growing your own economy on Wilson Street, America. Keep your economy standing tall and proud. We are all going to need something by spring, it’s going to be the worst winter on Wilson Street, America that it’s ever seen. We have to face the facts here folks, our country is hurting financially. We all know someone who just lost jobs. If we start small, in a circle and grow a small economy, and use the means each of us has to better the economy, it will work. Like planting a seed, add water, sun, and time, and presto. Now is the time for us to start planting little economy seeds. Start by one person, and build in your own way with what you might have to work with. The center of the hub will grow and bump into the growing hub of your neighbors’ little economy, then you can join, and all of us can benefit. There is the need for this to happen all across America. The politician who did not get elected is a good man to have on Wilson Street. And the politician who did get elected will guide all of you on Wilson Street. Forget what was, and concentrate on what your true needs are and you all will be closer and live happier lives. Each of us knows someone! Sounds like "Leave it to Beaver." Aw, the good old days. Yes, we can. Yes, you can. And yes, we will. Ya know why we will succeed? Because we are Americans, no matter what foreign country our ancestors came from, we are all Americans. Sincerely, Peter Seman Thompson, PA Let Us Give Thanks This Thanksgiving Day, as we gather with family and friends to count our blessings, let’s give thanks for the bounty we enjoy, not just on this holiday, but every day. The safe, plentiful food that is available to us, and the products used to produce the clothing, housing, medicines, fuel and other products we use on a daily basis, didn’t just appear in a store. They got there thanks to a tremendous partnership of farmers, processors, brokers, truckers, shippers, advertisers, wholesalers and retailers. In appreciation of this farm-city partnership, the President of the United States annually proclaims the week leading up to and including Thanksgiving Day as National Farm-City Week. Rural and urban residents are “Partners in Progress” who produce the products, consume the products, and make them readily available through an efficient production and marketing chain. Farmers are just the beginning of that chain. Farm workers, researchers, processors, shippers, truck drivers, inspectors, wholesalers, agribusinesses, marketers, advertisers, retailers and consumers all play important roles in the incredible productivity that has made our nation’s food and fiber system the envy of the world. This week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s remember the vital farm-city partnerships that have done so much to improve the quality of our lives. Rural and urban communities working together have made the most of our rich agricultural resources, and have made significant contributions to our health and well-being and to the strength of our nation’s economy. For this, we can give thanks. Sincerely, Donna Williams Nicholson, PA Susquehanna County Farm Bureau Forever In Our Hearts We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for such a beautiful turnout at Greg’s benefit. First to chef Andrea and Kathy, what can we say, but thank you. To your staff, they were wonderful with all that they did. To the Scouts, thank you for your community service, once again. And to the various bands, your entertainment was greatly enjoyed. The raffles, baked goods and baskets that were donated were such a hit! So much thought was put into each detail by everyone involved. To all of the “behind the scenes” people, thank you. To all of our family, our friends, my co-workers and our community, we are all touched each day by cancer and what it can do to our lives. We are also all touched by friends and what they can do. For this, we thank each one of you for being a part of our day to give us hope and security as our battle continues. This community will forever be in our hearts. Sincerely, Carmen, Greg, Tom, Troy and Bethany Maby Lanesboro, PA
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR POLICY Thank you, Susquehanna County Transcript
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