A Political Letter

The following letter was a part of the newsletter from the Chamber of Commerce.  This particular representative also happens to own a feed store in this area.  In my comparison shopping, I have found the corn he sells in 50 lb. bags to be the highest priced in the area.  Since he touched on several topics that are near my heart, the paragraph topics will be addressed in the various sections of this week's edition.  For integrity in reporting, I felt what was sent should appear in its entirety.

 Again, he is a state rep, not federal, but it's very clear by his letter, most aspects of our lives appears to be of governmental concern . . .

September 24, 2013

We began the week with some real fun at Seneca High School. FFA teacher, Angel Roller, invited Representative Reiboldt and myself in to speak to a group of local citizens about the farm legislation we passed last session. The "Right to Farm" bill was the primary focus of the presentation. There are many who don't see a reason for us to have laws that guarantee the right to raise crops or livestock the same way that we have for generations. Why would we need such a law? There are special interest groups that are pushing for laws to drastically change the way we produce our food. I am NOT proposing that we are cruel to animals, but anyone who thinks that we can "free range" poultry in Southwest Missouri doesn't realize how many hungry coyotes, hawks, foxes, raccoons, eagles, etc. there are that would gladly support that idea. Some states have already enacted laws that prevent egg laying operations from being contained in cages. Imagine 20,000 chickens laying eggs all over a 40 acre field. Talk about job creation! I know how ridiculous this sounds, but California has already enacted just such laws. Another favorite target is raising hogs without "gestation crates". A gestation crate, or farrowing crate as I knew them growing up, is nothing more than a containment to keep a 350 pound sow from rolling over and crushing her babies. The hogs grow quite fond of them in fact, they don't have to do anything but eat and sleep for a while when they deliver their litters. The fact is, if farmers mistreated their animals, they could not have good production and that means they would go broke. Representative Reiboldt made the point that he took better care of his dairy cattle than he did himself. Most farmers feel exactly the same.

Another subject we addressed was Genetic Alterations. It has suddenly come into the spotlight that genetic alterations must be "bad". Really? Who wants to go back to grapes or watermelons full of seeds? How about an ear of corn that's 5 inches long? When I was a kid, Angus and Hereford cattle were about 4 feet tall. Hybridization and genetic alterations have been with us for hundreds if not thousands of years. With our growing worldwide population, we must continue to look for ways to grow better, faster, safer food. No matter how you look at it, we really need to eat!

We've set a date for our listening post for those with comments on Children's Services. On Tuesday the 8th of October at the Pineville Community Center starting at 9:00 a.m. we will have several hours to hear from area folks. I am asking anyone who wishes to speak to call my office at the Capitol and ask Elaine to put you on the agenda. Because we expect there to be several folks who wish to speak, we will limit times to 5 minutes each so that everyone has a chance to express their opinions. The number is 573-751-9801. I would like for there to be time for questions as well, but we'll just have to see. I intend to hold more than one meeting in the district and I am working on arrangements to hold one in Seneca also.

I just heard that a State Patrolman in St. Louis was shot but because he was wearing a protective vest, he is O.K. Those guys as well as our local law enforcement sure deserve our thanks for the job they do! I also just heard that Governor Nixon is shooting for Vice President. Do you suppose that's why he traveled all over the state in his new airplane at a cost of 780.00 per hour supposedly campaigning against a tax break? Nah, surely not!  Who knows what next week will bring, until then I am and remain in your service.

Bill Lant