I asked a cow once what she
thought of Ron Paul. She told me to moo-ve. I was surprised by the rude response. Looking down, however, I quickly realized that I was probably
standing on her lunch. So, I moved off the patch of green grass. Then,
I again asked Betsy what she thought of presidential candidate Ron Paul. Looking at me with those big brown eyes, her tail twitching, Betsy
answered: "Ask the people in the house. I don't vote."
Okay, that was a fair answer.
People like those in the house do have an opinion about Ron Paul. Besides being generational family farmers, they are nearly fanatical about supporting Ron Paul for president. When asked why, speaking in unison, they say Paul has been attempting to protect the small farmers' rights in Congress. But protecting them from whom?
Typical of the government, federal and state governments give their legal and economic backing to the big factory farms. In the name of national security, the feds are seeking to force all farmers and pet owners to register the purchase, sale, and other information about every animal with the federal government. The National Animal ID System (NAIS) is the response of egalitarian and corporate-minded politicians to the bird-flu epidemic that originated at factory farms in Asia. Ron Paul proposed legislation to defund the program because it is only beneficial to large industrial farm operation and is a prohibitive burden to small and medium-sized farms. The initial cost to taxpayers is at least $33 million.
Last month, Paul co-sponsored The Family Farm, Small Business, & Home Tax Relief Act, which would guarantee the estate tax rate will remain at 45 percent while increasing the estate-tax exemption amount from $2 million to $3.5 million. More important is the $8-million exemption applicable to small businesses and family farms. For most farmers, this bill is nothing to get excited about today, but it does offer assurance that the fruit of their labors will belong to their children tomorrow.
Another family-farm bill proposed by Paul was legislation permitting the sale of unpasteurized milk. Many people prefer to purchase unpasteurized milk from local family farms because it contains more healthy nutrients. According to Paul, research by individuals reveals that local unpasteurized milk is just as safe as mass-produced pasteurized milk.
These are the some of the reasons why all Americans need Ron Paul for president. He has been opposing unconstitutional and harmful federal policies for many years. Unlike other candidates whose campaigns are being funded by big-money special interests, Ron Paul has proved he will look out for the constitutional interests of all Americans, not just those with the big bucks and some power.
Friends and supporters of local
family farmers are excited about having a man in the Whitehouse who
actually defends the rights of the traditional family farmer. This city
dweller thinks the rest of us should as well. Betsy does.
While I was reviewing my notes aloud, Betsy, who must have overheard me, waddled over and told me to tell you to "mooo-ve and vote for that man." I think she meant for us to vote for Ron Paul in the upcoming primaries. Maybe we should take that smart cow's advice.
Daniel Downs is a freelance writer who supports of Ron Paul for President. He lives in the small town of Xenia, Ohio, known for tornados and hospitality. He also writes a blog called "The State of America" at www.thestateofamerinca.wordpress.com. Send comments to ddowns@usnetizen.com.
