Rudolphi's Burning: October 2012

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October 15, 2012 10:45 PM


Politics & The Farm Bill

I really don’t like politics.  Politics eventually make everyone a hypocrite, because all too often in order to get something done, the officials are forced to play the favor game.  But given that the elections are fast approaching and at the top of everyone’s mind, below is what I’ll be considering this election year.

Master Debaters

In watching the recent presidential and vice-presidential debates I have been both very impressed and very disappointed.  On the presidential side, the two candidates sparred off and debated with the enthusiasm, candor, and character that we would expect from two men competing for the top spot in the free world.  It just happened that one candidate did his homework, prepared extensively, knew his stuff, had his game face on, and went home with a clear cut victory. 

In all actuality, it was a very simplistic example of what can be achieved in this country if one sticks to the basics.  Who knew if you work hard, have a strategic plan, and execute that plan effectively that you could actually get something done in this great country?  It would seem to me; this is a lesson Mitt learned long ago. 

Just as we all do each day in our operations, Mitt has done each day in his career.  Every day we (and he) are charged with making decisions that affect our livelihoods and the eventual well being and success of our businesses and families.  The dollars are REAL, we understand that, we value them because we generated them.  As business owners we attempt to make the best decisions and take calculated risks with the resources that we have because we know where every last cent came from.  Sounds like a pretty good philosophy to take when running a country doesn’t it?  I really wish they would implement these kinds of teachings and philosophies into the community organization curriculum. 

As for the debate of the VEEPs…what a joke!  I really don’t quarrel with any of the facts that were presented by either side of the argument.  Facts can be skewed to tell what ever story one wants to tell.  What bothered me the most about this debate was the lack of professionalism displayed by them man that is 1 millisecond away from being the President of The United States.  Biden embarrassed himself, his party, and this country…after all he is still on the clock and represents each of us!

A debate between the two vice-presidential candidates should encompass no less integrity or professionalism than a presidential debate, and yet Biden routinely cut off and interrupted Ryan, could muster up no better rebuttal to accusations than to claim they were “A bunch of Malarkey and Stuff”, and laughed like a hyena in the face of criticism.  Perhaps the single most disturbing aspect of all of this is that there is a man out there who chooses to keep Biden on his ticket!

I sure hope that someday, someone who is reading this will rise to the ranks of leadership in our country, and when you do, remember to conduct yourself with the integrity that the office and the citizens of our country deserve.  Challenge yourself to take criticism seriously, learn from it, and use it as a tool in your chest of experiences to make better decisions that have a more profound impact in the future.  Own up to the mistakes, the unforeseen circumstances, the ramifications of poor decisions and failed attempts, and move forward executing a strategic plan to drive the country forward.    

What citizens (or I) want to see out of elected (or soon to be elected) leaders is accountability, sound reasoning, confidence that we can repair the mistakes of the past, and the ability to execute a strategic plan.  If we wanted to see officials laugh off criticism, use one word “malarkey and stuff” rebuttals, and conduct themselves without regard to the proper etiquette of the western world, we would nominate Kim Kardashian for president and hope that she selected Mike Tyson as her running mate. 

This type of ticket would no doubt be a “Change”, but I believe it would promise the same amount of “Hope.”

The Farm Bill…How much does it matter to you?

I have heard a lot of rhetoric and bickering over the past weeks between politicians placing blame on the other party for the stalled effort on the passage of a farm bill.  Incumbents and challengers alike are professing that “Agricultural producers cannot sufficiently plan their operations without knowing what policies and safety nets are in place through the farm bill.” 

Really?  Have you seen the expected farm incomes for 2012?  How many farmers have you heard of that are sitting idle, anxiously awaiting the passage of the farm bill because they don’t have a clear direction of what to do with their operation until a bill is passed?  Now that is “Malarkey”! 

This becomes a hot topic amongst Midwest legislators because it is largely the only piece of legislation that a large portion of their constituents know or care anything about.  Because the farm bill includes the word “farm” in the title, a politician running for office can immediately utilize this piece of legislation to strike a nerve with voters in a predominantly rural setting.

With most of the farm bill funds allocated toward nutrition programs such as food stamps and school lunches, farmers proportionately receive a very small amount of farm bill dollars…. but what about that small amount?  This is where the hypocrisy sets in! 

Farmers who historically are very fiscally conservative are usually the first in line to take the money from the government when it is waived in front of their snoot.  We emotionally write it off and make excuses such as “That’s what it takes to keep food cheap!”  Well the cheap food bit seems to have temporarily run its course.  Does anyone in row crop agriculture really “need” the direct payment right now?-- Of course not.  But with the government on its current spending spree, those dollars might as well be in farmers pockets where they have the opportunity to do some good, rather than put back into the general fund where they will no doubt be frivolously blown.

If they would rename the “Farm Bill” the “Poor Child Nutrition and Rural Stimulus Plan” it would have gotten passed a long time ago!

Somebody get me some water…cuz we got a fire!

Editor's Note:
Rob Rudolphi resides in Eastern Iowa with his lovely wife Tara, where he is involved in varying facets of several agricultural businesses. They currently have no kids, no dogs, and certainly no cats, and are generally up for anything involving a good time!

The mission of the column is to advocate agriculture, entertain (provided that you are entertainable), serve as a catalyst for critical thinking, and challenge the status quo amongst the agricultural community.

If you have a idea that would make a good "Burn Topic" for next month's Rudolphi's Burning column, please email the idea to prburmeister@gmail.com All entries will remain anonymous.