Fort Sumter was the Result

Today is the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the civil war. Fort Sumter was shelled and the war began. Since the war, our culture has both deified and demonized various generals, participants, and leaders. We know that the civil war is viewed differently within our country and many today view their ancestors as hero’s, regardless of which side they served on.

I believe that people need to understand what was happening that led to hostilities between Americans. Partisan politics had reached a point where listening to the opposition had ceased and compromise was unthinkable. The debate on state rights and the role of the Federal government was loud, shrill, and demonization of your opponents was commonplace. Expansion of slavery into the west was a complex issue which had been punted down-field by different administrations and Congresses time and time again.

From my point of view, many different issues,- each a powder keg on their own - were stacked up by the politicians of that day. Many of these issues where allowed to fester through inaction and thus become even more explosive. Then on this fateful day, the match was lit and our nation was consumed for the next four years by bloodshed and destruction.

Many lessons were learned by those who survived the battlefields of our Civil War. One was that the people need places to remember what binds us together. One of the many positive results of the lessons of war was the creation of the Grange in 1867, a local organization with national scope that teaches its members that listening to opposing viewpoints is a part of developing workable solutions to real problems was a great moment.

Take the time to remember what led our ancestors to take up arms against their brothers. The issues were many and all had a role in the firing upon Fort Sumter. One of the lessons for us is to ensure that we never again create the environment where great numbers of Americans feel that they have no voice or choice. Your local Grange still remains engaged in bringing people in your community together. From educational efforts in local Granges to the National Grange Legislative Fly-In, our organization remains committed to giving voice to every individual.

Cars and Choices

I read an article this week that I found intriguing as I am one of those car guys. The headline screamed, “Car of the future won’t be cheap” in Monday’s USA Today.
The article stated that cars could cost thousands more than the buyers would ever save in fuel costs. Smaller and less powerful cars that cost more in order to increase fuel economy seem be the order of the day.

President Obama’s ambitious goals of 47 to 62 mpg by 2025 will change our choices of vehicles. Just as the station wagon become virtually extinct after the introduction of CAFE standards in the 1970’s, the types of vehicles available to Americans will once again be restricted if history repeats itself.

The article compared the Chevy Cruze starting at less than $20,000 with the Chevy Volt at $41,000 to demonstrate the cost differences between conventional fuel-efficient gas car and an electric car. While I am all for fuel efficiency and reducing the amount of pollution generated by motor vehicles, I believe that political agendas should not trump consumer needs and demands. We also need to consider the reality of electricity as it isn’t free and it isn’t always non-polluting as you need to take into account how that power was produced.

In addition automotive executives stated that they would like gas taxes raised to ensure $4, $5, or $6 a gallon gas prices. At that level of fuel costs they believed that these proposed high cost vehicles will be far more attractive to consumers. What a shock, obviously they believe that when gas become unaffordable, people will need alternatives. This does make for an interesting business plan.

Rural America does not need more disadvantages. Transporting our families or hauling household or farm items are common activities for everyone in rural areas. I can’t speak for everyone, but there are a lot of us who don’t want to live in town. We want to live in a rural community and we understand that there are benefits and costs associated with that choice.

I love having choices. With cars, I enjoy driving my Impala and when I pass a Smart Car, I am glad they chose it and that I have other choices. It is important that our government not take our choices away either by direct action or by indirectly forcing companies to eliminate our selections.

The car of the future must not become a luxury item that many can not afford. Living in the community of our choice must also remain a viable option. These two statements are intertwined in rural America. Having choices are necessary for all!