Guest Column

In the Prism of the Farm Bill, Obama Looks Right

By John Melcher, 9-04-08

U.S. agriculture provides the safest and most abundant food supplies at the lowest prices in the world. As consumers, we are all affected by the farm bills passed by the U.S. Congress every three to five years and signed by the president. They set the policies for production, health, safety, and distribution—including exports—of the nation’s food supplies.

Farm bills do not just happen. Each takes months of study, discussion, debate and compromise. For the complicated, tiring passage of a farm bill, there are grandstanders like Sen. John McCain and farm policy advocates like Sen. Barack Obama.

Farmers in Montana and other states have a huge stake in the bill’s provisions. In addition to agriculture provisions, farm bills govern food stamps, commodity food banks, senior citizen centers, school breakfasts and lunches and other programs including Women, Infants and Children and Food for Peace, animal welfare protections are upgraded and improved in farm bills, as well as research of plants, animals and fish.

Everyone everywhere in the United States has interests and concerns in the policies set by a farm bill. Months ago I called Obama’s Senate office to talk to the staffer handling the legislation for the senator. A veteran staffer, who had worked for Illinois senators and representatives for more than a decade, told me of the strong and dedicated advocacy of Obama on the bill.

I helped to pass several farm bills during my eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives and 12 years in the Senate. There was then and still now are a few senators who stay out of the necessary task of getting a farm bill passed. They wash their hands of the struggle. McCain is one of these: It “costs too much,” “does more harm than good,” “three million to research the DNA of grizzly bears,” and so on.  Cheap shots!

McCain’s criticism and opposition works for a very few, but passage of a farm bill is a necessity, not a luxury or an option.  When you consider the interests of farmers in dairy, corn, wheat, barley, cotton, rice, sugar, oranges and peanuts, that is a lot of players in a bill that has to have a majority. Then add the interests of schools, community food programs, animal welfare and Food for Peace.  Patience and understanding are essential in putting together the votes for passage.

Every president working on a new farm bill has to be comprehensive, knowledgeable and flexible. On this point, McCain is not ready to lead. One-liner quotes do not cut it.

Obama does pass muster as a ready, willing and knowledgeable advocate for both farmers and consumers. Also to his credit, Obama relates with compassion and common sense to using America’s abundant food supplies for the needy here at home and for the hungry abroad.

* Montana Democrat John Melcher served four terms in the U.S. House and two terms in the Senate.

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