Be sure to go and comment on the farm bill before December 31st, 2006. Do it sooner than later so you don’t forget!
Issues I commented on:
NAIS - mandatory vs voluntary, cost, privacy.
On-Farm Slaughter should be allowed for local sales.
USDA should serve us all, not just corporations.
Subsidies for Big Ag should be reduced or eliminated.
Comments to “my lawmaker”. I rarely write to these critters anymore. They don’t care, they don’t have to, they are the gov’mint. Their form letter responses barely touch on the concerns expressed. And as long as we are suspect of voting systems, they don’t even have to care about that.
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I write to you about a few things that the Farm Bill has on the table and it ain’t a good piece of meat.
NAIS - mandatory vs voluntary animal tracking compliance. There is NO NEED (though fear factors make it SEEM so) for voluntary OR mandatory tracking devices for animals of any kind! I am positive that this is the first step towards chipping citizens. “Voluntary” will mean the same as it does for license plates, and taxes… a joke! Please spare us the pomp and circumstance of continuing this outrageouos intrusion of Property Rights!
The USDA should serve everyone, not just corporations. Frankly we should abolish this corrupt organization. It does NOTHING but increase the cost of doing business and dilutes the words that customers (NOT consumers) need, so that they know what they are getting. They have already gone too far!
Subsidies for Big Ag should be eliminated! The likes of Ted Turner, and other wealthy “farmers” should be sprayed with pesticides so that we may rid ourselves of the pestilence called farm subsidies!!!
Comment lildeb — December 23, 2006 @ 4:01 pm
Is known that the chips for the animals only work about 24 inches from a reader or less. This is a waste of the small farmer or rural people who have animals , trying to help to put food on their table. The government is for big businesses and for the ones who have money. They forgeet about the people who keep this country safe. Its not the big operations because they pollute more than the government wants us to know. The small animal producer doesn’t have a problem with the manure spreading on the crop land but from big operations it would kill everything and nothing would grow. Let the USDA crack down on the big wigs.
[Actually, improved readers have been shown to do far greater distances and further improvements are expected as signal amplification and processing get better. -WJ]
Comment LINDA HUFFER — December 23, 2006 @ 8:20 pm
Thanks for link to comment on Farm Bill, my letter to our elected is as follows;
Thank you for this oportunity to express my point of view. I am very concerned about the National Animal I.D. System. It is not needed. It purports to be a system that “protects” us. It doesn’t. It steals our rights and lines the pockets of those who sell the computer goods to implement + maintain the program while taking another shot at the Constitution. Many Americans are fed up with business as usual where special interests and money influence decision that affect all Americans. We’re tired of political doublespeak and weasel words…it’s about time the elected begin to represent the people. People clearly do not want NAIS, you should not support it. Dig a little deeper and ask yourself why a government that is suposed to be of the people, for the people and by the people would allow something to come about that creates another useless bureaucracy, gives opportunities for more shady backroom deals and steals citizens inalaienable rights…There is no good reason other than “somebody stands to make a ton of money”.
That’s not representing, that’s “aiding and abetting”. Many of you may have voted in haste with good intentions for the so-called Patriot Act and later regretted it..well NAIS is worse. Inform yourself please and go to NoNais.org to learn why voting citizens do not want or need NAIS. Please study the issue and vote for the people and not for the special interests. Do not support a farm bill that includes a National Animal I.D. System. Thank you.
Comment Bob Constantine — December 23, 2006 @ 9:41 pm
The very threat of NAIS being imposed leaves us groveling and whining–to keep the “right” to eat and feed our families. I’ve had my fill. I think it’s time we dumped all incumbents from office putting in people who aren’t owned by corporations or “fascists in the process of self creation”.
Comment Jack — December 24, 2006 @ 12:08 pm
Doubtful it will make much difference, but if we don’t make ourselves at least heard, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Thanks Walter for all your efforts on this site! My comment is as follows:
National Animal Identification System is not necessary and most definitely not as presented. Voluntary is only temporary until USDA decides to make it mandatory. If the NAIS is put in place with “voluntary” compliance, it will be too late to do anything about it when USDA makes it mandatory. The USDA does not have the best interest of the citizens in mind. This plan is only going to benefit the big commercial factory farms, enrich the manufacturers of the chips and readers and other associated services, not to mention the fines USDA will be able to assess and collect – thus enriching itself and ensuring “job security” at the public’s expense. As far as disease tracking, there is a higher incidence of disease on the factory farms than on the little independent producer. And as far as that goes, most of the disease, such as bird flu is spread by wild birds. The federal government does not need to be telling me when I can or cannot move my horses from my pastures and I should not have to fill out a handful of forms every time I take them to the vet or on a trail ride. The expense is going to be overwhelming for the small farmer – chipping every animal or chicken on their “premise.” That premise is my HOME. Now of course, ConAgra and Monsanto will not have to chip every bird, calf, etc. – they will have a ‘group’ chip. How nice for them, a cost break there in addition to the huge subsidies they already are receiving. There are many programs and methods for ensuring animal health in place now. The conglomerate farming corporations have their lobbyists pushing the NAIS and it is one step closer to denying me one more of my constitutional rights. A lot of groups have been watching the development of this “plan” and they and I will be watching the lawmakers to see who is backing animal identification. I am also very concerned as to the next possible “plan” of tracking the citizenry. Chips are already being placed in many goods purchased – purportedly for inventory and marketing purposes. Hogwash! I do not feel inclined to support anyone with my vote if they are in favor of taking any of my rights from me. Thank you very much for considering my opinion and thoughts on this matter. I would welcome any comments you may have. Sincerely, Carol Joyner
Comment Carol Joyner — December 24, 2006 @ 2:40 pm
Here’s what I left as a comment:
I am commenting on the 2007 Farm Bill, specifically on the role of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). I call NAIS No Chicken Left Behind because it will do for farms what No Child Left Behind did for public schools: saddle them with a bloated and ineffective bureaucracy. Here are some reasons why.
• NAIS is unnecessary because livestock producers who wish to enter foreign markets already have requirements they must meet.
• The wording of NAIS is disingenuous. A program isn’t voluntary if all farmers are eventually required to register.
• NAIS does not address the primary sources of livestock contamination, which are overcrowded corporate farms and unsanitary processing plants.
• Implementation costs of NAIS will place an undue burden on small farms. As the owner of a five-acre farm I don’t raise livestock for profit, but to supplement our family’s food budget. Implementation costs will force me and others like me to abandon this practice.
• At present, NAIS exempts animals who have never left their place of birth. However, in order to maintain genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding, it’s necessary to introduce bloodlines that didn’t originate on your farm. Which means that NAIS and its costs will affect all farmers, even if their chickens travel no further than the dinner table.
• By removing small farms from the picture, livestock supply will be further concentrated in the hands of large monogenetic agribusinesses. The lack of genetic diversity means a greater propensity for illness—the very problem that NAIS is supposed to eliminate.
Then, of course, is the issue of no less than four Constitutional rights (1, 4, 5, and 14) being violated.
With Democrats like Collin Peterson and Russ Feingold supporting NAIS and Republicans like Ron Paul opposing it, NAIS is creating strange political bedfellows. Stopping NAIS provides Democrats and Republicans with a unique opportunity to show they’re capable of bipartisan cooperation.
Concern for working families and family farms is why Democrats hold majority seats in the 2007 Congress. Small farmers are not always easy to see; a Minnesota state legislator recently said there are no farms of 100 or fewer cattle in Minnesota, although 90% of the herds in his district were that very size. I encourage you to listen to your constituents, visit www.noNAIS.org, and read the book “Mad Sheep” by Linda Faillace to find out the Kafkaesque implications of NAIS.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Comment Susan Maricle — December 25, 2006 @ 8:11 pm
Comment from NY State AG office and NAIS:
Summary:
Effective implementation of this system is well underway, and will require minimum effort on the part of the producer. There is a great deal of misinformation circulating about this program, and some commitment and resolve will be required to work through those issues.
Comment LuAnn — December 26, 2006 @ 3:03 pm
I understand how many folks feel about the ineffectiveness of writting our govt critters. It seems we have a hard time getting them to pay attention to us,it is no different than it was in the 1760s when our early settlers tried to petition “King Georges” govt to respect the rights they had as englishmen,we seem to be in a repeat of history and we need to pay attention to what happened in that time. I have read many commentaters who feel we are now in a similar situation as to 1938 when Hitler was coming to power,I personally believe we are more in a time similar to 1769 or thereabouts, the political climate, and the issues we both faced are very similar,we are at the stage the colonists were when they were petioning the english govt for a redress of grievences a process we are now engaged in,seemingly with similar results,but we must keep trying,we can only defeat this by confronting it head on,and even though it seems like the last year was ten years long, we have just gotten started in this fight.I also dropped them a line about the farm bill it follows, thanks folks!…………………………..I would like to see the farm bill reflect the real world and not be a tool to give our tax money to giant international industrial agricultue interests.The money that is thrown around for ag subsidies should be aimed a t small to med farmers who are truely farming and not to people like Monsanto, Archer Daniels Midland,Cargill and similar corporate welfare, these folks already control most of our nations processing capacity and are working to take over the production end also and force small producers(some who only raise for themselves) out of business.I would like to see more attention to imports from places that need to be watched who perhaps do not have Americas best interest in mind(CHINA) who dump food on our markets(and have very low standards),and less subsidizing,let the ‘FREE” MARKET DECIDE! not manipulaters like the National Institute for Animal Agriculture or their members,small farmers can and will compete if you will level the playing field and quit giving free money and special privilege/exemptons to the big boys. Also we need more oversight and control of the USDA by the law(CONSTITUTION) than we currently have. We as small farmers are the backbone of American food independence,we will be indespensable if this country ever is attacked by an enemy capable of truely shutting down our trade routes and such. The mulinationals are using farm bill money to drive the price of land up, by using this tax money to buy up farmland ,this causes small and starting farmers to be forced out of the market,and with their own taxes,this is unacceptable! We need to radically alter the way the govt relates to farmers,and stop susidizing these huge corporations that try to pass themselves off as farmers,they are not farmers .We must work on getting back to sustainable and natural farming methods instead of subsidizing unnatural and unhealthy industrial ag practices based on fear mongering as done by the big multinationals that we will some how starve if we don’t do it their way. We are already in a bad position when it comes to imported oil,and America now for the first time in our history imports more food than we export,this type of thing can not be allowed to continue, we as a nation must reign in these international conglomerates before we are all out of business. It is my contention that farming and particularly raising ones own food( as I do) is a natural “right” and can not be taken away from people,folks have got to eat, but they shouldn’t have to pay a big company or the govt to be able to eat,or be forced on to food stamps, I urge you to uphold the oath you swore, to defend the rights of the people and not some company to whom you owe no alleigence !Also respect the sovereign rights of states when it comes to National Animal ID,stop the USDA and the terror police in Washington from forcing an unconstitutional mandate on us either directly or by the current bribery/blackmail system that they are engaged in, using once again our tax money to buy the state ag people off. Let states inspect their own meat products,we already know USDA is inept at this, food borne sickness is still growing and it is due to the silly way we industrialize our ag production in this country that causes it,let the states do what they need to do and stop being nannys and dictators to free and independent people,that is not why we sent you to Washington, we sent you there to represent those with no voice and to do it by the Constitution, I trust you all still believe in the law, remember The Bill Of Rights? Let us alone to farm and to raise our familys,we only need govt to protect our rights and for nothing else,I respectfully ask you to do your constitutional duty and nothing more,Thank you!
Comment LEE — December 26, 2006 @ 9:16 pm
Coming from the state of Collin Peterson and Jim Oberstar, I understand the frustration of people who have contacted their elected officials. But there is hope: Minnesota Representative-Elect Keith Ellison.
The nation knows him as the Muslim who will take his ceremonial oath on the Quran. Fifth District Minnesotans know him as a progressive champion of economic justice and environmental safety, and an advocate of families (like small farmers) who are not normally on the radar.
I have contacted Ellison about NAIS. I don’t know where he stands on the issue, but I do know that he’s a remarkable listener. His ability and willlingness to listen was one of the reasons why he won a contentious primary and general election.
Tell him how you feel about NAIS. Here is his address as of January 7:
Office of Congressman Keith Ellison
1130 Longworth House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
I agree with Walter, it’s not right that email communications are limited only to district residents; legislators make decisions on behalf of everyone. The policy has something to do with Homeland Security, a friend of mine says.
Comment Susan Maricle — December 27, 2006 @ 9:21 am
Just another way for big business to make money off of us . i for one am tired of being treated like i am dumb. we need to vote the gov.out of our pockets.
Comment Edna Blaylock — December 27, 2006 @ 10:39 am
I hope everyone signed up for the email updates on link
to keep on top of what our illustrious leaders are doing in Washington.
Comment prairie girl — December 27, 2006 @ 8:05 pm
Posted the following comments today:
I oppose the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) because
• NAIS will establish unconstitutional government surveillance of tens of millions of citizens. It designates these citizens’ homes as “premises” subject to surveillance, imposes expenses and monitoring responsibilities on them and creates financial liabilities (some simply due to the malfunctioning of technology) that could be their undoing (the potential loss of all livestock due to faulty trace backs). It violates no less than four Constitutional rights: Amendments 1, 4, 5 and 14 of the United States Constitution by giving the government power to invade citizens’ homes, lives and livelihoods.
• NAIS will force small farmers and homesteaders to pay for and monitor the problems created by and existing on factory farms. It purports to be a system that “protects” the public from diseased animals and food-borne contamination, but it will not protect citizens from either. It will, however, deprive citizens of “inalienable rights” as defined by the United States Constitution, while enriching those who sell the technology and services to implement and maintain the surveillance.
• NAIS will not solve the problems it claims to address. It relieves operations where disease and contamination are known to exist from the burdens of compliance. Factory farms, such as those owned by ConAgra and Monsanto, will not have to chip every bird, calf, lamb, etc. but may use “group” chips—which means that sites that ought to be priority sites for monitoring (those with the priority problems) will only be required to perform token monitoring, whereas comprehensive monitoring will be required on sites where NAIS’s priority problems are nonexistent. Why are small farmers/independent producers burdened with paying for the problems of factory farms (problems they don’t and won’t have) while the factory farms responsible for these problems are relieved of these new regulations and even the need to comply with existing health and safety standards?
• NAIS will drive the good citizens of agriculture (small independent farmers and producers) into extinction. These farmers are providing solutions to the most pressing issues facing our food system —biodiversity, healthy farm products, soil, energy and water conservation, proximity to customers. Systems similar to the NAIS have done precisely that in Europe. Why would the government target those who are contributing most to salvaging our food system and reward those who are wrecking it with unjust advantages?
• Finally, I object to the way the government has presented this program to the public. The USDA has spent millions of taxpayers’ dollars to market NAIS to the public rather than present it honestly for public scrutiny, allow the merits to be debated and air the comments—not just the most recently refined messages developed to make it acceptable. Manipulating public opinion about a program is not the same as providing for an open debate about its merits. NAIS has not been honestly debated, opposition by those who would bear the brunt of the program has been mischaracterized and marginalized, aspects of the program have been surreptitiously launched through state and local supporters and NAIS has been marketed deceptively to those it would effect directly and to the public whose taxes will be used to finance it.
Comment Elizabeth Nobbe — December 28, 2006 @ 11:22 am
Elizabeth #12 great letter!
Also thanks for including your final comments about how the USDA has “marketed” and manipulated rather than informed and been open for debate. I hope others out there reading the letters are writing in too, we need as many as we can get! If readers aren’t able to write a lengthy letter a short note, simply saying “I oppose NAIS because it’s unconstitutional” wouldn’t hurt…Let’s make some noise.
Comment Bob Constantine — December 28, 2006 @ 6:41 pm
i left my comments.
Comment anna — December 29, 2006 @ 5:37 pm
Yesterday I couldnt leave comements. Probably too many of us doing it. Worked today. No NAIS Never!
Comment David Lundry — December 29, 2006 @ 5:40 pm
Mr. Dent, I have contacted you previously on a variety of issues that have concerned me and are directly affected by your vote. The 2007 Farm Bill is one, which offers an opportunity for agriculture in our Commonwealth as well as our Country to align itself more directly with the people it feeds. There has and continue to be a high demand for “organic” and sustainable agriculture. The entire concept of sustainable agriculture has far reaching effects. The support and not the subsidization of the small farmer needs to continue, if not expand. There is something wrong with a food supply that has become completely disconnected to its end user. People no longer see animals or vegetables being produced just commercials and products on store shelves. Compounding that issue is the fact that the United States imports a large portion of its food supply. As you well know, this was a country founded on an agrarian system. We were once a connected people with “community”. Please use all of the power that I have bestowed upon you with my vote to ensure that the small farming proletariat that President Jefferson envisioned in our great nation is supported. Large corporations are having ruinous effect on our towns and communities by our government’s unyielding support. Please remember whom you work for. I gave you a job, ensure that the people are fully represented in this bill.
Comment Todd Vouglas — December 30, 2006 @ 2:27 pm
all anti nais persons need to read lees comments to the farm bill committee,he is rite on.#8 december26,2006.if you want to find out mooe about how this govt.is selling us out go to www.criminalpolitics.com .
Comment nick lecompte — January 11, 2007 @ 6:52 am
People should all remember the recent news that all of our email and all of our phone conversations are recorded and stored by the ISPs and the phone companies at the behest of the governments so that they can then filter the recordings for key words to catch foreign and domestic terrorists. Note that if you oppose your government you may be considered a terrorist. There are anonymous web sites that people can use to send mail, surf the web and the like. Used in conjunction with an anonymous email account that gives you a little bit of protection from the heavy handed bureaucrats that would steal your freedoms.
Comment Andy — May 21, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
What we need is a good revolution to turn things around.
Comment David — May 23, 2008 @ 12:25 pm