Edwards Statement on the Farm Bill

[JohnLocke]

Edwards Statement on the Farm Bill
John Edwards for President
Friday, November 16, 2007
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Des Moines, Iowa – Senator John Edwards released the following statement today about the farm bill, which was blocked by Republicans in the U.S. Senate.

"It's a tragedy that Senate Republicans blocked the farm bill today – not just for America's family farmers who deserve fairness, but for our country, which relies on family farms for a safe and abundant food supply. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Harkin and others, the farm bill would have given family farmers the support and respect they deserve. But instead of helping family farmers, Republicans seem more concerned with lining the pockets of big agricultural conglomerates. Well, I can tell you the fight is not over.

"This issue is deeply personal to me. I grew up in Carolina mill towns and I've seen firsthand the struggles facing our rural communities. When I am president, I will fix the broken system in Washington and stand up for family farmers. I will enforce country-of-origin labeling and our antitrust laws. And I will enact a strong national ban on packer ownership and a national moratorium on the construction and expansion of CAFOs. I will also limit farm subsidies to $250,000 per person, close loopholes in payment limits and expand conservation programs. Family farmers will always have someone on their side when I'm president."

http://johnedwards.com/iowa/20071116-farm-bill/

[Blackhatjack]

1. Of course, Edwards is right on his stand supporting Family Farmers....

The problem Family Farmers have had is that the corporate agri-farmers have lobbyists to push their special interests, and they don't.

Edwards is telling the truth, and Iowan farmers recognize it when they hear it.

[Selatius]

4. The farm subsidies program has been corrupted so that agri-corps also receive subsidies.

That practice should end. It's a waste of money because it's going to corporations that don't need it instead of family farmers that do.

[PollThis]

5. Did they get rid of that old gravy-boat for gentleman farmers?

That old subsidy that politicians get not to farm their land?

[PollThis]

2. I heard Katherine Newman that writes for the Nation talk about Edwards on the Young Turks today

This is something she wrote about him.
http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20071126&s=newman
She really believes in him and so do I.

[Kansas Wyatt]

3. Edwards is the only chance for the middle and lower classes

To reverse what Republicans and Dinos have been doing for the last twenty seven years... They have reversed the New Deal and set up a regressive tax code to consolidate wealth at the top to benefit the Wealthy Elite.

Wake up working people! The income gap still grew under Bill Clinton, and will grow under Hillary as well. This country needs a hard shove back to the left to correct what has been happening to working people for years. Edwards will shove our government back in your favor.