12 Comments
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Dave Busiek's avatar

Bill Withers? I always liked him. (Sorry).

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Barry Piatt's avatar

lol. Funny. I didn’t notice that juxtaposition

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Blue Thoughts From a Red State's avatar

Nothing but fealty and slogans, hyperbole and hubris about Making America Great Again, without regard for morality or justice. Shameful disgust has been replacing my anger and anxiety. At a time when we need heroes, it’s become clear our representatives have abandoned us. We are email addresses not constituents. These are truly the times which try our souls. The great American Experiment hangs in the balance.

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Malcolm J McKinney's avatar

One In The Struggle

Written 1985 during Willie Nelson's Farm Aid projects

I am a farmer, I’m trying to grow some food

Locked in a system that don’t do me no good

They think I’m beneath them, like the dirt under my nails

I am a farmer, but my farm is up for sale

https://youtu.be/GkPuwO_5cyQ

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Sue Huff's avatar

So well said, thank you.

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Kathi Zimpleman's avatar

Thank you for keeping this issue alive, Barry. This is another colossal failure of leadership.

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Thea's avatar

It's obvious to me that the farmers in this state much prefer to vote against their own interests than to ever vote for progress

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Cheryl Tevis's avatar

Thanks for continuing to elevate this issue, Barry!

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Jeremy Rosen's avatar

Weird to talk about the farm bill and not note that the Congressional BBB (I have different word for the middle B than Trump) will slash SNAP. Positive changes to SNAP are what gets Dems to vote for farm bills. Makes it seems like you're missing the forest for the trees and that you don't understand this topic that you harp on week after week.

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Beth Hoffman's avatar

Why enact a Farm Bill in Congress when you will just dictate policy from the Executive Branch? And give and take money like it is all a game? Farmers need to pay attention to who is NOT taking care of business.

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Dean Weitenhagen's avatar

“Authoritarian and fascist fantasies.” My, oh, my how you adore those adjectives. Actually, your beloved Democrats exude those exact qualities. And, you loudly decry Republican’s horrible direction in past farm bills and because, thankfully, Republicans control Congress - why in the world are you crying about not getting a new farm bill out when I t would, in your view, be bad.

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Beth Hoffman's avatar

I am unclear, aside from touting your own politics, what the point of your comment is. WE NEED A FARM BILL—are you disputing that? Even if Barry, or myself, or millions of others disagree with policy, it is important to have a rule book we all can follow, no?

And yes, it does seem authoritarian to take away the rules, say around immigration, and make it all a game where no one knows what the rules might be, no? The point here—and it is an important one—is that a DEMOCRACY functions because our representatives play a part in creating the rules. Their job is not to sit on the sidelines and cheerlead the Executive branch on, NO MATTER what the president does.

Let’s stop with all of the tit for tatting and focus on the prize—DEMOCRACY. We can align on that, no? Or is the prize just your party ruling, no matter what?

“We the people” need to align our real goals. Not power, greed and supporting one’s own. But Justice (found in due diligence). Opportunity (economic, social). Liberty and equality for ALL.

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