Intellectual Property, business and the Grange

I’ve seen a few emails from members about our press release about the recent Supreme Court decision about Monsanto’s intellectual property rights and thought a few comments to the world in general would be appropriate.

First, the Grange, since its earliest days, has always been in favor of technology being used to improve crops, livestock, and all the associated practices and methods in raising them. While those early members likely never dreamed of the capabilities of science that we enjoy today, our policies have remained consistent in promoting the use of science to advance agriculture.

While GMO’s are a controversial issue for some, the science from our land grant colleges, the USDA, and others continue to show that there is no detectable difference from the food grown from GMO or non-GMO seed.

The Grange continues to support all aspects of agriculture, from a small operation feeding a few families to large farms helping to feed the world. The diversity in agriculture in practices and produce are good for American consumers and the starving in the far corners of the world. We will always advocate that we are good stewards of the soil, water, and air regardless of the size of farm. Science remains a tool to assist all farmers to continue to do a better job of protecting our resources while increasing the food, fiber, and fuel we’ll need in the future.

Second, the Grange has never supported or opposed specific business, or corporations, with the exception of co-operatives which we introduced to America and have continued to support. Our organization advocated for many railroad lines and just as often advocated against some of their monopolistic practices such as unfair rate structures. The end result of our fight with the railroads was the adoption of the idea that monopolies can be regulated for the public good. Even today, we take many policy positions for or against the practices of businesses. This does not mean we support or oppose them, just how they are doing business.

Monsanto is a large business, but it does not meet the definition of a monopoly as there are other large companies competing in the same field and many smaller companies in competition with them. We supported Monsanto’s right to own and protect intellectual property that they developed. While some of their practices may garner our opposition, on this issue, we believe that their rights were being infringed upon.

Third, our policies are the result of many discussions and debates and each are eventually adopted by the delegates of the National Grange. These policies then are advocated for by the officers and staff of the National Grange. The strength of the Grange is this deliberative policy-setting process rather than allowing leadership to create policies based upon their personal views.

Taxpayer Punishment

Like so many other Americans, I lost about an hour on both Monday and Tuesday by sitting on the tarmac due to the “furloughs” to cut government spending. It seems the FAA is only able to save money by cutting air traffic controllers and creating delays in air travel.

This seems to me as nothing but punishment of taxpayers. Over the years, I’ve seen city officials close permitting departments, county commissioners reduce sheriff’s departments and county fairs, and state officials shut down parks. The reason has always been that the taxpayers didn’t want to pay more and our elected officials made reductions where it would hurt us most in order to get us to approve a new or an increase in existing taxes to keep our government “in operation.”

After our President said that our skyrocketing debt and deficits are sustainable, after the sequester (which was a cut in the growth of government) was made out to be the end of government as we know it, it just seems to me that we, the taxpayers, are being punished for any attempt to control spending by our nation. 

I have trouble believing that the only place that the FAA could cut was the people guiding airplanes. Was this the lowest priority item in their budget? Why didn’t the President ask Congress months ago for permission to reallocate resources based upon priorities? 

I can’t guess why the administration has chosen to play politics instead of dealing with what amounts to a minor cut. However, I’d hazard a guess that a lot of Americans would rather lose an hour here and there than to see our country continue to spend itself into oblivion. We are all willing to tighten our belts a notch but we’re not willing to be punished for not wanting to continue our government’s bad habits.  It is time to budget the way most Americans budget: by our priorities, not by what we want.

Prayer for Boston

Monday’s bombing at the Boston Marathon was a shock to all Americans. Every morning we wake up to see the updated news of this crime. Every Grange member is united in offering our prayers on behalf of the victims and their families. The horror and pain that man can cause can be relieved by the comfort and strength of God.

Today we stand with our fellow citizens in support and offer our comfort and sympathy to those affected. Family, friends, and neighbors, we join together to help all get through this horrible act.

Time will provide the answers of who and why. We must have patience for the investigators on this crime. Until then our prayers to give them strength and wisdom will continue. 

Grange members across our nation share our strength and our compassion to all. Where we can help we will.

Welcome to Grange Month

Are you a person who believes: That Faith is an important part of life? That Hope for the future is essential? That Charity to the needy is the right thing? That Fidelity or being true to yourself and your principles and values is critical?

Is Honesty in your dealings with family, friends, and the world a part of your life? Is an Open Mind to new ideas part of your thought processes? Is a desire to Learn and Grow as a person or as a leader a daily goal? Is it key that you are a Law-Abiding Citizen? Do you believe that America is an Exceptional nation?

Do you wish to Repair wrongs while focusing on the positives? Is Associating with other people of good character vital? Do you believe that we are stronger Together than as individuals? Is having Fun a needed part of life? Is Making a Difference to other peoples lives indispensable to you?

Are young people demanding more Opportunities to be a vital part of society? Are senior citizens craving Fellowship? Do families want more Time together? Do we need Unity rather than divisiveness in our community?

Does the following Motto match your beliefs?:

In essentials, Unity

In non-essentials, Liberty

In all things, Charity.

If you’ve answered yes once, twice, or for every question above, I have good news for you.

For the past 146 years the Grange has been helping citizens in thousands of communities strengthen their hometowns. We believe in American Values and the power of people coming together. We believe that each of us can reach their full potential and lead rich and rewarding lives. We also believe that our organization gives our members the power to affect great change to improve our communities, our states, and our nation.

April is Grange month and if you answered yes to some or all of the questions above, I invite you to check out our organization and learn about its opportunity for you and all those you hold dear.

Gun Control Mania

A number of states currently have a multitude of bills that proposal restrictions on the second amendment in their legislative process, and New York, Connecticut and Colorado have now passed legislation that will limit the types of guns and the amount of ammunition that a gun can hold. These moves are based on the old theory that if law abiding citizens don’t have guns, life will be safer. The laws also include some form of registries of gun owners.

It amazes me that many of our elected officials believe that one of the biggest threats to American freedom is Americans owning firearms. Few of the horrendous crimes of the last year or last decade were committed by citizens who legally acquired their weapons, and legal acquisition may become even harder if NY Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s proposal passes Congress.

Maloney would like to see a liability insurance law requiring gun buyers to have a “qualified liability insurance policy” before they may legally purchase a gun. It includes a fine as high as $10,000 if a gun owner doesn’t have insurance on guns purchased after the bill goes into effect. In addition, it would be a federal crime to sell a firearm to anyone without insurance.
Instead of dealing with ensuring mental health care, enforcing the vast multitude of laws already on books, or dealing with our financial crisis, which threatens the very future of our nation, many of our elected officials seek attention by passing redundant laws and by creating more prospects for law abiding citizens to become criminals.

What is the goal? Is it the disarming of America citizens? Is it a risk free world where nothing dangerous exists?

I do not pretend to know what is going on in the minds of our elected officials when they speak out against the second amendment. I wonder what their reaction would be to the weakening of any of the other amendments in oure Bill of Rights. Would they care if we weaken the third? Would they even know what the third amendment protects without Googling it?

The National Grange has always advocated that the foundation of our nation is the Constitution and its Bill of Rights. Our leadership has always stood up and spoken in strong language on behalf of our members and their support of the founding and governing document of our country.

Let’s transfer this unreasonable gun control mania to dealing with the debt crisis that is consuming our cities (Stockton, CA being the latest), many of our States, and our nation. Few, if any, of the horrible crimes committed with firearms would have been prevented if these new or proposed laws had been on the books. Yet rather than dealing with the debt issue, which any person who can balance their checkbook can see and understand, our elected officials focus their energy on feel good legislation that doesn’t create any real solutions. Let’s use our time, energy, and brains in dealing with a real, substantive, and growing problem rather than manufacturing a crisis out of horrible crimes.

Principle

This year has started out like last year ended. Political parties seem more interested in political victories than in seeking solutions for our nation. The economy remains stagnate, especially in rural America, the county’s debt appears to be growing uncontrollably, there seems to be almost no backbone among our elected officials to deal with our deficit, the Second Amendment remains under attack in the name of safety, and dealing with immigration is more about potential votes than the actual problem. While there are dedicated public servants putting forth some interesting solutions, they are routinely demonized by their opponents.

We are also seeing dangerous traits in the America public: intolerance toward those who disagree by refusing to discuss the issue; smearing the name and reputation of those who oppose your ideas, beliefs, or actions; and a disregard for the rule of law.

These traits are also being seen throughout America, in our churches, our civic organizations, and even in our Grange. It isn’t vested in our politicians; it’s due to the American people neglecting to follow the principles and values of our nation.

It is an American and Grange principle that we discuss the issues of the day and not take offense when others disagree with our own views. In the Grange, we debate and argue the issues before us and then take a vote. Afterward, we sit down together, laugh, share a meal, and remember that friendship isn’t about marching in lockstep. Grange ritual teaches and reminds us that we must always keep an open mind and be willing to debate and discuss in order to learn and grow.

It may be a normal human reaction to attack someone personally when they disagree with you, but in the Grange and America, we believe in a higher power that teaches us to become better people and to rise above basic instinct. It seems normal in American politics to attempt to destroy the character of your opponent, but it isn’t right. In our country, everyone is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence. Our Grange teachings and symbolism repeat the lesson that we should treat all with respect, especially within our Order. We are charged with protecting the rights of all members and ensure that due process is given to every member.

A disregard of some or particular laws governing our country has always led to an attitude that only the laws we like deserve to be obeyed. Our nation does have a problem with writing law after law, regulation after regulation, until there are so many layers of laws that everyone is, in some way, a lawbreaker. America should take a lesson from the Grange and try to keep regulations simple and strait forward. Grange members and officers are repeatedly promising to follow the rules of the Grange and the laws of our nation. Maybe such a refreshing action is needed by many of our fellow citizens.

It is time that Americans come together to start solving the challenges facing our nation. It must begin at the community level as when we unite there, our elected officials at the state and national levels will listen. Join your local Grange, another civic organization, a church, a recreational organization and more. Share the values of America and the Grange and cross-pollinate these core principles and values throughout your local community. Let’s listen to each other, treat all with respect and dignity, and follow the rules until we can change those rules through the appropriate processes.

Work Gives Dignity, Not Pay

While testifying at a hearing regarding the potential pay cuts for federal employees, including Congress, on Thursday, Feb. 14, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said regarding Congress taking cuts:

"I don't think we should do it; I think we should respect the work we do. I think it's necessary for us to have the dignity of the job that we have rewarded…”

Maybe this is part of the problem. Your pay determines dignity if you’re in Congress… What an interesting concept.

For most of us, we find dignity in a job by working hard and doing the best that we can. The result, whether it is a child with a little more knowledge, a mom’s car fixed, a load safely delivered to the grocery store, or grandpa’s leaky roof repaired, is how we judge if a job has dignity. Did we make life a bit better for others? Did we make things a little easier for someone else? Did we serve them as we would hope to be served?

I’ve held a lot of jobs over the years, ranging from farm-hand to janitor, to mechanic, to starting a business. Many times I found myself paid less than others doing far less work. I never felt without my dignity. Pride in taking care of my family, pride in a job done well, pride in helping others by doing my job, that pride was the foundation of my dignity.

When public servants, and I’ll use the term servants loosely, state that pay equals dignity, I question if they have any understanding of grassroots America. Almost every American knows someone who has lost a job and has spent months or even years looking for another. We all know someone who lost their job and when they found another, it paid much less, sometimes as little as half of what they used to earn. Many Americans haven’t had a pay increase in several years and are happy to have a job.

Maybe if those engaged in partisan bickering understood what created dignity, something positive would emerge from Congress.

Work gives pride and dignity, not the size of your paycheck!