A drought is decimating crops in seven states right now, but Mitt Romney’s new running mate, Paul Ryan, does not want to talk about it. He says he just wants to enjoy the Iowa State Fair today and talk about "policy things" later. He actually said that (at 1:33 into the video below):
The drought is as much of a natural disaster as any flood, hurricane or tornado. It’s the worst drought in 50 years. It’s choking the life out of corn and soybeans in the heart of America.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates farmers will harvest the smallest corn crop in decades. We’re talking about $1.8 billion in losses for ranchers and farmers.
Democrats in the Senate are trying to pass a bill that would include sweeping disaster relief for farmers and livestock producers. But Republicans won’t pass the bill.
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture said today Paul Ryan’s budget destroys the safety net for American growers. So you’d think he would have something to say to the farmers and ranchers at the Iowa State Fair today.
He’s walking through ground zero and ignoring the destruction around him. It’s the same as wading through flood water in a storm ravaged neighborhood while refusing to talk about the storm, or the damage. You’d think Ryan would want to tell Iowans what he or Mitt Romney would do to help them save their businesses and recover from this summer’s devastating losses.
But Paul Ryan doesn't want to talk about farm policy at the Iowa State Fair. He says he just wants to enjoy the fair.
Can he really enjoy it as he strolls past the 4-H stalls with young Americans struggling to feed their livestock? Can Paul Ryan enjoy the fair as he passes crowds of Iowans whose lawns are brown, their gardens are barren, and their food prices are about to go up? What is Paul Ryan thinking as his campaign bus passes the acres and acres of scorched and under-sized corn and soybeans?
If he truly wants to enjoy the Iowa State Fair, Paul Ryan should probably find the courage to grapple with the policies impacting every person there.
-Jennifer Brockman, Segment Producer
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Great. Now Ryan's going to be torn apart and examined in detail by the Democrats and the press. He's never had that happen to him before. I'm sure he'll enjoy it just as much as Romney does.
Now you are out side the protection of your tp friends in Congress, where you raise all the hell you want and they shild you.....what are you going to do in the real world? "NOT TALK ABOUT IT?"
The real Chris, #1, I know I'll enjoy it! Let the attacks begin!
He doesn't want to shame his image by telling the drought stricken farmers in the mid-west that he and his GOP T-party house members went on Summer recess without helping them.
Yeah, they went their way and left the farmers standing in their withered fields, looking at their blistered hands, and holding ears of their dried up corn.
That defines them for me, and Ryan is one of their leaders, and he is FROM there! Wake up, folks, this guy is not on your side!
Are you listening, Kansas? Iowa? Anyone out there in the heartland listening?
I like the way Ryan wants to talk about "policy things" later, as all the corn and soybean fields are burned into dust. Yeah, later is good. No rush. What the heck, it's too late now, isn't it?? :(
All they need is a quiet room. If they just had that, all our problems would be solved.
And of course, over on the teabagger blogs, all they can talk about is how *rude* those ladies were.
Republicans want the middle-class to go away and quietly die.
"withered fields" India- I do not know where you live- but obviously not in corn country- corn fields are not "withered"- corn is normal height same with beans- just instead of green- non irrigated - they are brown and yields are down
another item- the environmental groups- those usually supported by Ed have for years tried to restict irrigation- which really would "wither" the fields- in any event what in the re authorization of the farm bill would do anything for the producers impacted by drought-
Ed obvioucsly knows nothing about farm policy- but yet his statements go unchallendged-also remember it is the senate (democrat) version of the farm bill that cuts the snap payments- the house apparently passed a drought bill
but again the question is what the farm bill would do anything about the drought- low inerest disaster loans are already in place- farm bill can not make in rain in those areas without irrigation- and even it rains now it is to late- the vast majority of producers all have revenue insurance (which is backed by the federal government) and they will get payments in general more that operating costs and given that the crop they will have will bring recorded prices- on balance the producer will be ok- it is the cattle producer that is in real trouble- and again what in the farm bill will help the cattle producer? what we have here is Ed and the President making a political issue- when they do not even understand the real issues in the farm belt-
Your no more a farmer than Ryan. spin and verbal negativity. Your not talking to the Fox Zblues Mouth Breathers. You guys are done.
R USA what is incorrect in my post 1.7 - I pass corn and bean fields every day on my way to work- in my business we deal farmers, ranchers and ag lenders every day- I know what is going in the ag
So another words you are an expert because you drive past farms. Really that is what you want to claim.
well if you drive by them in a major corn area- you would now whether fields are "withered" or not- as opposed to India who is just guessing- plus I interact with ag producers/lenders etc about every day- so yes I do have first hand facts of what is going in ag- vs again India who is just guessing-
You can not tell jack about how crops are doing just by looking at them, for one you have no ideal what your looking at, in your mind its green everything is fine. But again farming doesn't work that way nor do you know if that farmer isn't irrigating the fields that your driving past.
whom- it obvious if the field is irrigated because there would be a big pivot in field- no pivot no irrigation- even in those areas that would use flood irrigation there would be a ditch etc-
but again the point of this is that Ed claims that Ryan is against the farm bill or whatever- the same farm bill as passed in the Senate by the democrats cuts snap payments by 5.4 billion- but aside from that the implication is that Ryan is some how hurting crop and livestock producers- the house did pass a bill relating to certain livestock producer- so again the quesiont remains what in the new farm bill would help crop producers impacted by the drought- emergency loans are already part of the existing farm bill etc-
Ryan bombs at a State Fair ?? Wow.. that's usually hard to do. But, then again, when you think about it--- usually only second-string acts plat State fairs anyway.
Shouldn't he have gotten a blue ribbon for being a prize pig?
No kidding, we've even got Hank Williams Jr this year. As a matter of fact, I think they're ALL redneck country acts this year. Miranda Lambert is another one. All good little Reps, every one of them!
John Belushi wrote a song called "Hank Williams is gay." He sang it at the Lone Star in New York.
Just a little piece of Americana.
Yeah if prescription pill alcohol abusing woman thats been passed around by both the varsity and jr varsity football team turns you on. The real life of beauty queen/cheerleaders who end up marrying conservative men.
Well , Theres plenty more where that came from ,Heckle and jeckle is gonna open the heart of liberty, and that's funny in itself. Problem is theres a big malarky sign that hangs on both canidates foreheads.Maybe romney should of asked john mccain ,At least he has a war veteran heart.? These two are about something alright. Better think long and hard of the smokescreen that lays in the perceptions and the real true realities of the short past.!
Are "policy things" similar to "hardware stuff"?
Yup. They're right next to where you get the grocery "stuff"!
oh i see how this will play out. ryan and his merry band of thugs can heckle, disrespect, slander and call OBAMA everything but a man, but when some people heckle,cry baby ranting ryan he has them removed. WELL RYAN IF YOU CAN'T TAKE DON'T DISH IT OUT. YOU CONTINUE TO THIS VERY EVENING SLAMMING OUR PRESIDENT. HOW DOES THAT MAKE IT OK.
WELL HECKLERS, KEEP IT UP, THE POLICE CAN NOT KEEP YOU DOWN FOREVER, BESIDES YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND PROTES.
Billie~ Are those your granddaughters in your avatar? They're cute! Tell me they're Dems! :)
Remember, Mcconell said are goal (after mid terms) make Obama a one term president. Makes you realize the obstruction and treason and the tax-dollars being pored in spent and paid by millions (because they like it right) to a bunch of radicals that have hurt more people because of the party pride of Obstruction.!
Not to mention greed,good day and good night!
Ed Show# Why would he care? He don't. when you have money things that are hitting Farmers, middle-class and the poor, don't bother them, I bet they are going to eat good!!
Romney will do anything to align himself with the Tea Party. Ryan is a radical - was the German political party during the reign of Hitler a radical party? - actually yes they were. Ryan is a cunning fox - he may give out the impression that he is telling the truth but behind all the words is a book of lies !!!! The worst move the Republican party made was to involve themselves with the Tea Party. Americans make sure that you look before you leap !!!!!
Throwing out a bunch of opinions, but do you have facts. I for one am not interested in opinions since they do not help me or anyone else make an intelligent decision on how to vote.
So....Cpt. Where did you start reading? at the bottom of the page and up? We will however be throwing out opinions as well as facts, and you can just read between the lines or get lost.
I am not hearing much from either side on this blog about the issue at hand. I think the Congress passed a Farm Bill before they left and the senate did not, but could be wrong.
In the other issue about Ryan being radical, I think that is a bit of stretch since even Democrats have stated in the past that he is a stand up guy. I think the whole things comes down to this paragraph posted by and I applaud him to be one of the few to actually try and have a conversation about what we all know needs to happen. Is his plan right, that is debatable, since I have not seen any legislation proposed by one person that is a 10% fit. However, it is somewhere to start.
"The short story is that, no matter how unsustainable or inefficient our entitlement programs may be, the burden of proof is absolutely on the party that wants change. Back in 2005, we constantly asked our opponents, “Where’s your Social Security plan? When will you put something on the table.” Had they done that, President Bush’s plan would have appeared in a far better light. But Nancy Pelosi’s answer— literally, according to Time Magazine—was, “Never. Is that soon enough for you?” And guess what? She paid zero political price. The public doesn’t care if the other side doesn’t have a plan. They do care if your plan appears to threaten them."
Right you don't like opinions then you give an opinion based on made up Fox news. What a joke. Take Nancy' P's quote out of context and make it appear like the opposite of what she was saying. And you just xe/jerry the re reg liar supporting you how surprising.
cpt your are correct- the issue was the "farm bill"- which Ed misrepresented- but obviously does not care- and yes there was a drought bill- because the farm bill would have no impact- other than the normal existing options- e.g. disaster loans etc which already exist-and given that most producers have revenue insurance- disaster loans will have little impact-
Guess you forgot to check around, here is what a republican from Nebraska has to say. Seems someone did not do his home work before posting.
http://www.johanns.senate.gov/public/?p=2012-drought-response
Like I said this cam from AEI and not Fox, and the quote was from Time Magazine. I doubt this would be considered a right wing source. What did she actually mean if it was taken out of context? I actually posted this in a new thread and not to the reply for this question.
www.aei-ideas.org/2012/08/quick-thoughts-on-the-ryan-pick/
Whom- the question remains in terms of what in the re authorization of the farm bill will help those producers impacted by the drought- I understand and see the impact every day- I live in a town which has had no measurable rain for 67 days- the corn fields (non irrigated) are brown and they still should be green- but again what in the farm bill will help those producers- most crop producers have revenue insurance that will pay them hundreds per acre and when combined with what will be record new crop prices- their revenue will more than cover operating costs and living expenses-
the politics of the farm bill is complex- you have Democrats against Democrats (e.g. CA democrats from dairy districts vs big city Democrats ) and Republicans against Republicans-
the industry the hardest hit so far- is cattle- hogs, chickens etc not so much given what they eat- but with cattle hay is in some areas almost impossible to get and if you can get it- it is over $300 at ton vs in a normal year $80- just as happened in TX last year cattle ranchers from Wyo, the Dakota's and Nebraska are liquidating their herds- the ultimate result will be significantly higher meat prices- apparently President Obama's solution is for the federal government to by meat- what good will that do for the producer- nothing- it will only increase the price of meat--
all that said- the house did pass a drought bill for livestock producers- but the Democrats did not take it up[
Whom you are quick to judge those that post comments- obviously you have no understanding of ag economics or the reality of agriculture and the farm bill-
Except that is what the farm bill was about. Your problem stems from not knowing how farming works nor do you understand that farm insurance is propped up by the government. If you had bothered to go to the site you would have understood it, but I knew you wouldn't because anything that proves a tea bagged republican incorrect is ignored.
Insurance doesn't cover all loses something a non farmer has no clue about.
That was a quote from the site I provided above.
whom- question still pends- what in the new farm bill will help crop producers impacted by the drought-
insurance doesn't cover all loses? what perils does current crop insurance not cover? as indicated most producers have revenue insurance plus will get record prices- so again what in the new farm bill will "help" crop producers impacted-
If you believe Ed last night- his claim was the worst drought in 50 years and the implication was without the farm bill farmers would go bust- which is simply not true or even close to true- just look at the future price for new crop-
Oh go take a drive by a farm because we already know you could care less just about farming or farmers more right wing distraction.
wrong again farmers and agriculture is an inherent part of my business- the problem is that you still can not answer the question- of what in the new bill would help crop producers impacted by this year's drought-
Actually was not on Fox. I was on the this site.
I guess this site does not like links to other articles.
www.aei-ideas.org/2012/08/quick-thoughts-on-the-ryan-pick/
First you must post a link correctlly so it can be clicked on and read.
http://www.aei-ideas.org/2012/08/quick-thoughts-on-the-ryan-pick/
however....this article is just an opinion.....not a fact!
Nah, we just don't like lying Republicans and their lying Republican sites.
Farmers get Federal Subsidies every year. Droughts are a natural occurrence. Do Farmers not know this? Do they not plan for emergencies? Why should Tax Payers be on the hook for even more?
Ah, but this is no ordinary drought. Farmers know all about droughts and most adapted crops are very resistant to drought.
This year has been way way hotter and drier than usual. In most areas they are labeling this as a 50-year event. In a few they are saying more like 100 year event. Most of these areas have never had irrigation or sprinklers or whatever due to the huge cost and the lack of need. Typically the rain is enough. Not this year.....
RB, I hate to say it but I don't own 1,000, 10,000, or 100,000 acres of land. Why should my tax dollars go to support people that have much greater wealth than the average tax payer? This is just another Government Bailout, more redistribution of wealth. Take it from one group and give it to another. If the government stopped the subsidies to farmers and lets the market drive prices the farmers would be just fine, the price of their product would increase due to the limited supply and they would make their own money, without Government Aid.
Medicare vouchers....I have to ask what the projection on premium will be for seniors to cover their own health care through the insurance agencies, which least we be reminded are for profit agencies and knowing that at 52 I'm already on my way to dying...so health care costs start going up astronomically in the coming years. I'd just like a good guess what separate from Medicare and what the government will actually pay in a voucher my out of pocket expenses will be in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years...scary...makes me think we who are middle class and less will be laughed at later and bascially told later..."Here's your sign!" if we allow this to happen. Sounds like money for the insurance agencies and in the pockets of those who could already afford old age through inheritance and wealth.
Question, The proposed Ryan changes would not affect you because of your current age and the time it would take to pass the appropriate laws to affect the changes. Secondly the voucher component is voluntary. I myself like the idea of receiving a voucher so I can stay with my current Medicare Provider. I have been with the same provider for 40 years and really don't want to go on Medicare. My parents don't have the option and they hate Medicare.
Paul Ryan is a Social Conservative but he is a Fiscal Liberal. He talks the talk of fiscal conservatism. However, his voting record clearly indicates that he doesn't walk the walk. Also, his claim the he was a junior congressman so he had to vote the way he was told begs the observation, so much for standing on principle.