 | |||
|
|||
<< Back to "Your Voice" Archive
“YOUR VOICE”Support the Survival of the Family Farm The American family farm is in jeopardy. Our farmers have worked for our benefit for generations, providing us with the best and the most affordable food in the world. As other countries have experienced deficits in their food supplies and often seen their nations suffer in famine, our farmers have never let us down. Agriculture in America is one of our greatest success stories. We have never had to worry about the future of our food supply. Now our farmers are suffering from the problem of not being able to live good solid lives from the proceeds of their farms. Health costs are skyrocketing in this nation and the farmer does not have access to the health coverage that company and government employees have. Almost every farm has to have one member of the family working at an outside job to make ends meet. Energy costs and fertilizer and other costs are climbing out of sight, while their income remains roughly level due to the success of agriculture in America. Imports are competing with every sector of American agriculture, and while we consumers benefit form the low prices, the farm family suffers. A major issue is retirement income for the farm family. Often their land and their capital comprise their retirement income, but selling their land is not a road to financial stability. Inheritance taxes make it exceedingly difficult for the farm to be passed to the next generation of farmers. And the recourse of selling good agricultural land for development is a loss for all of us in this nation. In addition to a complete reformation in the national income and tax structure for our farmers, we need to create a special inheritance program for the passing of a farm to another relative to continue farming operations. We are a wealthy nation. We have the wherewithal to rebuild other countries whose citizens are suffering. Let’s do the same or better here at home. Let us all agree to join in a national campaign to preserve, defend and protect our great rural heritage and the financial security of our American farm families. Cast your vote this November for open and honest representation. Write-In:
|
|||
|