July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Ideas that make sense for rural America (10/18/07)
Editorial
Hoosier voters won't get to weigh in on next year's presidential nominations until after the matter has been pretty much decided.
That's a frustrating fact of life. And it means the Iowa caucuses are the only real opportunity for rural, Midwestern issues to be discussed before the 2008 general election campaign.
The Iowa campaigning appears to be more about organization than issues, but every once in awhile someone says something of substance that could otherwise be overlooked.
It happened this week when Democratic candidate Barack Obama outlined a multi-faceted initiative aimed at rural America.
Stumping for votes in Fairfax, Iowa, Obama laid out a series of proposals that, while not perfect, represent the most coherent package to date.
At the very least, it's a welcome change to hear rural issues talked about.
Here's what the Illinois senator proposed:
•Setting a goal of producing 2 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol by 2013 while ensuring that such an expansion doesn't increase pollution.
•Establishing a $250,000 limit on subsidy payments to farmers.
•Setting strict environmental rules and enforcement for large livestock operations.
•Creating new cost-sharing programs to help farmers get certification as organic farmers, and revamping crop insurance programs to avoid penalizing organic producers.
•Setting a goal of a 50 percent increase in the economy's energy efficiency by 2030.
•Changing laws to allow small businesses to pool together to offer health insurance for workers, with subsidies offered for those workers who can't afford it.
•Overhauling the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement system that can penalize rural areas.
It's an ambitious list, but it shows evidence that someone in the Obama campaign has been listening to rural voters.
Help for small farmers, boosting cellulosic ethanol, better reimbursement for rural and small town hospitals, and recognizing concerns over large-scale livestock operations all resonate pretty well.
Will any of those proposals actually see the light of day? That's anybody's guess.
But at least someone is talking about the right things. - J.R.
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That's a frustrating fact of life. And it means the Iowa caucuses are the only real opportunity for rural, Midwestern issues to be discussed before the 2008 general election campaign.
The Iowa campaigning appears to be more about organization than issues, but every once in awhile someone says something of substance that could otherwise be overlooked.
It happened this week when Democratic candidate Barack Obama outlined a multi-faceted initiative aimed at rural America.
Stumping for votes in Fairfax, Iowa, Obama laid out a series of proposals that, while not perfect, represent the most coherent package to date.
At the very least, it's a welcome change to hear rural issues talked about.
Here's what the Illinois senator proposed:
•Setting a goal of producing 2 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol by 2013 while ensuring that such an expansion doesn't increase pollution.
•Establishing a $250,000 limit on subsidy payments to farmers.
•Setting strict environmental rules and enforcement for large livestock operations.
•Creating new cost-sharing programs to help farmers get certification as organic farmers, and revamping crop insurance programs to avoid penalizing organic producers.
•Setting a goal of a 50 percent increase in the economy's energy efficiency by 2030.
•Changing laws to allow small businesses to pool together to offer health insurance for workers, with subsidies offered for those workers who can't afford it.
•Overhauling the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement system that can penalize rural areas.
It's an ambitious list, but it shows evidence that someone in the Obama campaign has been listening to rural voters.
Help for small farmers, boosting cellulosic ethanol, better reimbursement for rural and small town hospitals, and recognizing concerns over large-scale livestock operations all resonate pretty well.
Will any of those proposals actually see the light of day? That's anybody's guess.
But at least someone is talking about the right things. - J.R.
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