tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27951078.post789992375967493918..comments2024-02-02T05:45:33.724-06:00Comments on Incoming: John Phippshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245790061133614986noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27951078.post-31502489213331256542006-11-21T08:51:00.000-06:002006-11-21T08:51:00.000-06:00John - As a strong supporter of animal ag in local...John - As a strong supporter of animal ag in local economies, I am disturbed by the apparent trend of handicapping our livestock producers. We are putting some very burdensome restrictions on our livestock industry in the U.S. - from waste and zoning regulations to the immigration issue. Now our "ag leaders" seem determined to forsake them once again as they chase the holy grail of an ethanol plant in every town in Iowa.<br /><br />I don't know a lot about the little slice of heaven you live in John, but in my area I drive through small towns every week and I can tell you which local economies have livestock enterprises and which don't just by looking at the vitality of the businesses on main street. I hope to one day say the same thing about ethanol plants, but I am pretty sure that most of the economic benefit will eventually end up in towns like Minneapolis, Brookings and Decatur.<br /><br />How ironic that in less than two years we have gone from a debate of COOL and mad cow protectionism to a insatiable desire to turn all of our grain products into fuel and sever our ties with the Mid-East oil barons. We are in a global economy and unfortunately, I believe that you are right...someday your Happy Meal will originate in Brazil.<br /><br />The ethanol proposition is too easy right now, John. A correction of some sort is inevitable and unfortunately many farmers and small-town neighbors will suffer some economic hardships from this "new era" of prosperity in rural America.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com