OKAY.
No one gave me suggestions, so I decided to go down on the farm.
Throw me a bone here. Comment and suggest the next installment.
Kerry - higher funding for agriculture conservation programs and the value-added development grant program, which can help rural communities grow their economies and protect their environment. support renewable fuels, and fund research and development and by creating a national market for renewable fuels.
Small farmers deserve a fair chance to sell their livestock on the open market. ban on packer ownership of livestock, which drives small- and family-owned producers out of business. limits on subsidies that flow to the largest farming operations. limit the proliferation of animal confinements, which produce more pollution and put family operations at a disadvantage.
Ensure Prompt and Fair Disaster Relief
support rural transportation initiatives that would expand Amtrak's serve to more of America's rural cities and towns. Kerry has also consistently supported the Essential Air Service program, which ensures that rural airports maintain an adequate level of service.
restore cuts to rural health care programs and work to address inequitable Medicare reimbursement rates that hurt rural hospitals, healthcare providers and seniors. increase funding for community health centers and rural health clinics so that rural communities have greater access to health care services.
Internet access in rural areas still lags far behind that in suburbs and urban areas, particularly when it comes to broadband access that can bring much needed education and health care resources to rural communities. John Kerry has been a leader in advocating federal policies to bring broadband technology to rural communities, including the E-rate program designed to help poorer school districts afford technology and Internet access.
Bush -
Eliminate estate tax.
Continue to underfund biofuel development relative to Clinton years. Encourage private sector to pick up slack.
Continue to play hardball with third-world farmers in trade deals.
keep the safety net under our food producers, no matter their size or corporate structure
increase loan rates to farmers
farm savings accounts: set aside money in good years to sustain them in hard times.
Make farm aid one of the first things to be cut if the budget runs over (which it will, with a half trillion dollar deficit)