FEWER PLACES TO GET MESSAGE OUT
By Ed Fashing, V.P. of Communications AAM

I sat down to write a Press Release about Country of Origin Labeling and the destruction of the river system by the "extremist environmentalists." Then I got to thinking about where I will send these Press Releases. In the last week, I have gone into the web sites and called over 200 radio, TV and newspapers. I have noticed again a disturbing trend, something none of us noticed recently unless we are blind, deaf or dumb. The number of distinct places Press Releases can be sent is rapidly decreasing.

Recently the FCC and Congress have increased the number of news media units that a News Monopoly or Cartels can own. Clear Channel Radio, Tribune-WGN Media, and various networks by geographical sections i.e. Northwest Farm Network. Essentially, an ever increasing fewer number of people make the decisions on what news will be reported or skipped. As all of us farmers and ranchers know, it is almost impossible to get an article published or an idea broadcast if it goes against Farm Bureau, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemens Beef Association or the thinking of a large agribusiness corporation. Most of us producers realize the control of the USDA by the above unless we are as cold as a cow pie.

I sent 500+ verbal communications, e-mails and letters about the 25th Anniversary of the tractorcade. How many did you see or hear. I was aware of 3. Beyond my personal feelings of anger and feelings of inadequacy, the fact is obvious that except for an occasional bone thrown to us by someone first coming across the realization that: there are fewer farmers; rural America is in Depression; or wild animal numbers are beyond reason: RURAL AMERICA IS IGNORED.

We all hoped when the "red states" elected George W. Bush that some reversal of the policies of the previous several administrations would be somewhat reversed. To rural Americans' shock the UN Biodiversity Treaty although not ratified is still being moved along; the Endangered Species Act although lapsed is still being funded and enforced; and the Country of Origin Labeling has been passed 3 times but is not being enforced or funded. The time of COOL implementation has been moved to Sept. 30, 2006-after this November's election!

Both parties mention little about farming, rural America or Parity. Indeed even our relatively representative farm organizations are apparently afraid to even mention PARITY. Years ago I made over 600 posters and signs concerning the Farm Crisis and low commodity prices.

Today our farm leaders almost defecate at the thought of protesting. They believe that our agenda has moved far past protesting. Any farm leader who totally rebels at the thought of ever being arrested for his/her beliefs is not a leader. In the spirit of Gandhi I believe in peaceful protest. With Ashcroft's Patriot Act, I have no doubt that I have just made the list of domestic terrorists by these statements. Whatever happened to freedom, free flow of news and representative government? Our countries founders pledged their lives, land and fortunes to achieve freedom from England. Originally our founding document read "life, liberty and the pursuit of land." The fact was realized that if people could not own land, the country would be urban and socialistic-not a Republic. In A total democracy there is the tyranny of the few.

Yes the tyranny of the few: the few trial lawyers, the few poor, the few socialists, the few communists, the few extreme environmentalists, the few anti-capitalists, the multinational corporations, the few globalists. Our founding fathers foresaw today's problems when producers would be squeezed by cartels, monopolies, oligopolies, monopsonies and ologopsonies. Our founding fathers foresaw the elite dominating the rest of us.

What is the answer? Not the policies of G.W. Bush or John Kerry! We must influence both. We must scare both with our ideas and determination. We must vote out all of Congress! Do not have sympathy for dethroned congresspersons. They have obviously no sympathy for rural America. The "good" ones will make out maybe even reassume the leadership at the front of the parade to true representation of the will of the people.