On the radio show today, Kristina Rasmussen from the Foundation for Accountability in Government was on to discuss the issue of work requirements in the House version of the farm bill. She noted that Democrats have supported work requirements for social welfare programs in the past (notably under former President Bill Clinton) and that some…
Cramer Congratulates Heitkamp for Appointment to Committee Negotiating Farm Bill Despite Previous Partisan Attacks From Her Campaign
When Congressman Kevin Cramer was appointed to be a member of the House conference committee to negotiate the farm bill Senator Heidi Heitkamp’s campaign was livid. Heitkamp spokeswman Julia Krieger, who previously worked for far left attack dog Media Matters, called Cramer’s appointment “politics at its worse.” “Heitkamp campaign spokeswoman Julia Krieger called Cramer’s conference…
Podcast: Are You Afraid of 3D Printed Guns?
We talked about the controversy over 3D printed guns on the radio show today. Also Daryl Lies from the North Dakota Farm Bureau joined to talk about China, trade, and the “farmer bailout.” Annette Meeks from the Minnesota Freedom Foundation was also on to discuss the issue of work requirements for food stamps in the…
Senator Hoeven Says He Doesn’t Support Trump’s Budget When It Comes to Agriculture
Rural, “red state” America went for Donald Trump in a big, big way. His brand of fiery, and often crude, populism was cat nip for blue collar workers. Including those who work in the agriculture industry. That’s why Trump won states like North Dakota in a landslide. But I wonder if the realities of his…
Could Farmers Farm Without The Farm Bill?
The Grand Forks Herald today is declaring victory over the free market. “[I]f the Farm Bill vote is any indication, it’s conservatives turn to nod in the liberals’ direction — this time on the idea that the government isn’t always the problem after all,” writes Opinion Editor Tom Dennis on behalf of the newspaper. Dennis…
Wonks Propose Taxing Calories
It seems America has a love affair with social engineering through the tax code. From “sin taxes” on things like booze and tobacco to tax deductions for things like buying a hybrid vehicle or installing solar panels, the politicians like to pull financial strings to manipulate our behavior. The latest idea in that vein is…
We Can Blame Cramer For The Farm Bill, But Not Heitkamp For Keystone?
Yesterday I was pretty critical of how Rep. Kevin Cramer was handling the farm bill. Instead of standing on principle and talking about the legions of problems with that bill – not the least of which is the fact that controversial food stamps spending comprises roughly 80% of the appropriations in it – he chose…
Kevin Cramer: We Have To Pass A Farm Bill Because The Free Market Is Scary
Back during campaign season I did an interview with Rep. Kevin Cramer, and we talked about the farm bill. Then, as now, the legislation was stuck in the midst of partisan bickering and I asked Cramer if there was really a lot of urgency to pass a farm bill (I quoted a NDSU farm management…
The Senate Farm Bill Is 80% Food Stamps
North Dakota’s Republican and Democrat Senators were today applauding the passage of the Senate version of the Farm Bill. “For the second year in a row, the Senate has voted by a large, bipartisan majority to pass a strong farm bill for American producers and consumers,” Senator Hoeven said in a press release. “It’s strong…
Minnesota Democrat Says North Dakota Democrat Attack On Kevin Cramer Is Inaccurate
Last night Valley News Live’s Chris Berg interviewed Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson at a farm bill forum he held alongside North Dakota Congressman Kevin Cramer. During the interview, Berg asked Rep. Peterson about claims North Dakota Democrats have made about Rep. Cramer and the farm bill. According to the Minot Daily News, ND Democrat Executive…