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| Letter supports Obama for President |
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As a lifelong farmer here in Indiana, I’ve seen a lot of change in our farm economy and the face of rural Indiana. Never have I been so concerned about the direction we’re heading as I am today. Our Main Streets are suffering today because of the reckless practices on Wall Street and the partisan bickering in Washington.
I believe that we need a fundamental change in the direction of our country. A new direction focused on the middle class and prepared to bring steady leadership to the massive challenges our country faces. That’s why I support Barack Obama for President.
All through rural Indiana, Hoosier families are hurting. Incomes aren’t keeping pace with rising health care costs and gas prices. Our economy continues to struggle, as manufacturing plants shut their doors and move their operations overseas. Many of our small towns are actually losing population. The pain we’re experiencing today is the direct result of a failed agenda that put the interests of a select few far ahead of the working class.
Barack Obama is best positioned to correct the excesses of the past eight years with a set of proposals designed to invest in America’s middle class and provide working families with the opportunities that will renew our economy and enhance our quality of life. He’s proposed a tax cut for every family making less than $250,000 per year and a health care plan that lowers costs and forces the insurance companies to never again turn away someone because of a pre-existing condition.
His tax proposal would eliminate tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas or big oil companies that earn billions of dollars each year, and instead create a new Patriot Tax Credit for each job creating right here in the United States.
As a farmer, I am concerned about the continued vitality of the agriculture economy. Farmers are the backbone of this country and they provide the food, feed, fiber and fuel that nourish this country.
Family farmers are being squeezed. Consolidation in agriculture has made it harder for mid-size family farmers to get fair prices for their products and compete on the open market. Rising input costs increase our exposure to risk.
Barack Obama supports the priorities so important to Hoosier farmers. He supports a robust farm safety net that includes traditional farm programs, crop insurance, and disaster assistance when weather strikes. He supports renewable energy, including biofuels, solar, wind and methane digesters.
Sen. Obama will strengthen anti-monopoly laws to ensure independent farmers have fair access to markets, control over their production decisions, and transparency in prices.
And, Sen. Obama wants to encourage young people to become farmers. He will provide tax incentives to make it easier for new farmers to afford their first farm.
Not many people know this, but Sen. Obama’s great-great grandparents, the Dunhams, farmed in Tipton County, Ind. in the 19th Century. As a U.S. Senator, Barack Obama fought for farmers in Illinois and around the country. He’ll be ready to continue fighting for farmers and rural families as our next President.
There is a clear choice on Nov. 4. Please join me in casting your vote for Sen. Barack Obama as the next President of the United States.
Harry Pearson
Blackford County, Ind. farmer |
| 10/29/2008 |
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