Trump wont fight for us: Kansas rancher explains how president has betrayed US farmers

[deminks]

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/04/trump-wont-fight-us-kansas-rancher-explains-president-betrayed-us-farmers/#.WuB1aeqeRJE.twitter

(from a WAPO op ed that, of course, I cannot get to)

Mike Callicrate, an independent cattle rancher from Kansas, has written an editorial for the Washington Post detailing how President Donald Trump’s agricultural policies have been bad news for American farmers.

In his op-ed, Callicrate explains that the consolidation of power among big agribusiness companies is the single biggest problem facing American farmers — and he says Trump’s administration has only made things worse.

“Despite Trump’s campaign promises, when it was time to stand up against big agribusiness, he caved,” he writes. “His actions have left farmers and ranchers such as myself feeling betrayed and afraid for our economic futures.”

Specifically, Callicrate calls out Trump’s Department of Agriculture for overturning the Obama administration’s Farmer Fair Practices Rules, which gave independent farmers more power to bring unfair practice claims against big agribusiness firms.

(snip)

At the end of his piece, Callicrate writes that “if Trump won’t fight for us, we will bring the fight to him.”

(end snip)

A cold day in Hell (or Brownbackistan) this morning.

[3catwoman3]

1. Gee, Trump betrayed someone.

Surprise, surprise.

[DownriverDem]

21. Just wait

These folks will still vote for the repubs in November. It's very hard to feel sorry for them.

[politicaljunkie41910]

71. It reminds me of the poem, First They Came...

First They Came

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984).


The rural and agricultural states have consistently supported Trump knowing what a liar he is, but I guess they only believe that he lies to us liberals. So now that he is willing to screw them, someone is crying foul. The rest of us have known all along, that Trump would screw over his own mother, if he needed to to make a deal for himself. So we're not surprised that he's now screwing over his 30%.

Welcome to the club.

[GWC58]

81. Yeah, but the difference, as so noted,

they know he’s, and his/their, party are putting the screws to them an yet they will pull the (R) lever. It’s a moment.

[tblue37]

78. I was about to say the very same thing:

https://m.

[bullwinkle428]

2. But this November, these assclowns will march to the polling place

and vote Republican, just like good little soldiers.

[NewJeffCT]

10. Even if a very small percentage of them

vote Democrat, 3rd Party or stay home, it could be enough to swing some Congressional and/or state elections.

[dalton99a]

11. You can bet your last dollar on it

Fuck them

[workinclasszero]

38. Yup

Its the only reason there is still a republican party.

Lots of fox 'news' brainwashed zombies march to the polls to get bent over and screwed, time after time.

But the next time will be different right? Fu**ing idiots!

[CrispyQ]

49. There was another article a few weeks ago, right on the heels of the tariff announcement,

and the farmers said they would probably not vote–they would certainly never vote dem. This is what the dems are up against & still don't seem to see. For 35+ years, a huge segment of the population has been brainwashed to believe that the dems are going to take all of their hard earned money & give it to the uppity women, POC, & gays. That Moore/Jones race shouldn't have even been close! 35% of the people are bringing the entire nation down. We are sinking to the lowest common denominator.

[gratuitous]

50. Wouldn't this be a good time to offer them an alternative?

If Mr. Callicrate can see it and write about it for the Washington Post, surely others of his acquaintance can see it, too. Why not have a few Democratic combined rallies for candidates? Rev up some local excitement, have two or three candidates speak, provide some refreshments, and talk directly to local reporters without the Fox News filter.

Certain what we're doing now - insulting voters and belittling their concerns - isn't working real well. Why not point out to them that farmers and their families historically do better under Democratic governance?

[Beartracks]

55. True. And we don't have to be Repub-Lite. Dem policies...

...already address most of their concerns about economics, fairness, health, and justice. We don't need to change who we are to appeal to them, we just need to emphasize different aspects of the policies, priorities and values that Democrats have always pursued.

=========

[Locrian]

58. now now, that's not allowed...

people would much rather be smug and vindictive than win elections.

[tazkcmo]

63. Because

They won't believe us. It's not like there isn't information readily available to them that proves your point. They would rather not vote at all then vote for a Democrat because Democrats are the devil.

[gratuitous]

64. Doubtless some of them wouldn't believe us

But some of them might be hearing new information for the first time, or information presented to them in a new environment, one where they're pissed off at the gap between Republican rhetoric and the results they're seeing in their own lives.

We don't need to change every last vote of every last Republican knucklehead. But if we can change or discourage 3-5% of them, it will have a very good effect on Democratic fortunes. Like I said, what we're doing now isn't working so good. Let's try something else, something that will make Kansas Democrats fighting the good fight out there on the prairie feel a little less lonely.

[tazkcmo]

69. Go for it

I will expend my energy getting those that hold the same Democratic values but don't vote to vote.

[ck4829]

74. Thank you.

[EffieBlack]

90. Yes, thank you

[Eliot Rosewater]

77. They will insist we become racist, misogynist and homophobic for their votes, so fuck em

[gratuitous]

79. What about voters who don't insist on that?

I'm not blessed with the ability to discern who's going to do that ahead of time. It seems rather self-defeating to do nothing on the possibility that someone somewhere might insist that Democrats get racist, misogynist, and homophobic. There just might be some people who won't insist on that. Fuck them, too?

[ck4829]

82. Indeed

We need to focus our energies on out-organizing and out-foxing the Pizzagaters and Confederate Flag Wavers, not catering to their whims or catering to the whims of their enablers; the people who just want the 'other side', our side, to be "neutral" when it comes to human and civil rights or the people who stood by silently as those Pizzagaters, Confederate Flag Wavers, and the Adam Lanza and Dylann Roof Wannabes of the "alt-right" are trashing our nation and reducing it to a cesspool.

[EffieBlack]

91. Thank you. Please say again and as often as possible

We have limited resources and need to focus them on the people who we can depend on and not waste them on people who will be likely to stab us in the back again at the first opportunity.

[Bengus81]

62. I'm from Kansas,you bet your ASS they will.

I have ZERO sympathy for any of them. They don't want Guberment in anyone's lives and vote over and over for "no regulations" Republicans and then BITCH about how the cattle biz is being monopolized. Aww shucks!! Then they hang their hat on a Corporate asshat Trump in 2016 thinking HE is going to fix things???


But yep.....come November those counties will again go 90+% for Republicans. You dipshits made your bed out there in western Ks,now sleep in it..............

[ananda]

3. What's important is why they thought he ever would.

Because he's a white male probably.

Irrational racism and white supremacy runs deep.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

25. A big reason is that mass media like to play both ends against each other for sales & ad dollars

Truth and balance (not artificial balance) and journalistic ideals come in secondary to profits.

So if they attack the perceived front runner mercilessly. Emails! And pump up runner-ups. Business genius!

A few outlets did excellent journalism in front of the election: Washington Post and Newsweek stand out.

[gordianot]

48. This is the way it has been for decades.

My Grandfather figured this out in the 1930’s when it took a depression to change his voting patterns the old lessons are easily lost to modern marketing. Modern media takes advantage of ignorance and a poorly informed electorate. Lack of education and critical thinking makes you vulnerable.

[uponit7771]

42. +1, what made them project the best of intentions towards them !?

[Achilleaze]

87. They swallowed the bullshit whole

sad

[MaryMagdaline]

4. Sorry dude

You were ok when he betrayed everyone else

[LonePirate]

5. Tough for me to sympathize when he voted for 45 despite praising Obamas policies.

I guess it is good he recognizes 45 as the traitor that he is; but he never warranted support in the first place, especially if your livelihood depends on the maintenance of Obama era policies. Anyone who thought 45 and not Clinton would continue Obama’s policies is a complete idiot.

[Phoenix61]

6. Say it isn't so!

He betrayed you? Never saw it coming? Maybe you should have spent 15 minutes checking out who he was. You would have learned he is a man who betrayed his wives, his business partners, and his long time mentor just to list a few. The sad part is a lot of family farms are going to go out of business and a Blue Wave isn't going to fix that.

[area51]

72. +1 n/t

[hatrack]

7. Sun rises in east, sets in west, Kansas rancher notes . . .

[Achilleaze]

8. republicans* are pissing on America's ranchers and farmers

because of course they are.

* led by Comrade Casino, the republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief

[Wounded Bear]

9. "Betrayal" implies that Trump ever gave a shit about them...

Trump showed everybody what he is like, what he has always been like.

Those who maintained their willful ignorance have undercut us all.

[uponit7771]

43. +1

[Proud Liberal Dem]

12. It's worse than that

Trump was NEVER on their side to begin with.


Unfortunately, this hasn't been an episode of "Punk'd" where there are no real-life and enduring consequences of the prank pulled.

[muntrv]

13. What made him think a New York billionaire would be for the family farmer?

[Vogon_Glory]

14. Of course he is betraying you. But it wasnt like you werent warned

Mr. Callicrate and other rural Kansans had ample warning as to the character and mindset of number 45 before 2016. They chose to ignore them and/or let Faux Noise do their thinking for them. The consequences for his poor judgement are now arriving on Track One.

—

[PatrickforO]

15. Don't vote Republican then.

Because they don't give a hoot about any policies that actually help Americans. They are all about routing money from our treasury into the pockets of billionaire parasites and the coffers of big corporations. They are purposely fouling the environment and flaunting their absolute corruption as if they are above the law.

[Le Gaucher]

16. No shit !

Obama policies were helpful and Trump is trying to screw you over. But gee , if only Obama was white dude named Michael or Charles or something

[Honeycombe8]

17. I feel for them. The little guy can't fight the big boys.

WalMart closed many small shops. And so it will go with big agriculture companies vs family farms.

[A HERETIC I AM]

24. Yes they can, it just takes proper marketing and an involved consumer

Retailers like this, for instance that involve themselves with small, local producers

(FWIW, I have no dog in this hunt, I stand to make no commission or consideration from mentioning this firm, I just got a heads up about them recently)

Granted, they tend on the expensive side, but the more prevalent farm to table marketing becomes, the cheaper it will be

https://porterroad.com

[A HERETIC I AM]

18. I have the new motto for conservative economic ideology;

“PROFIT TRUMPS THE PUBLIC GOOD”

(And if you don’t like it, go fuck yourselves”)

[lindysalsagal]

19. Thoughts and prayers to the unsuspecting, totally innocent, unknowing, betrayed Kansas ranchers.

It wasn't Fox News' fault, either!!!

[Adrahil]

20. And I ask once again....

What on earth was it in Trump's history that made this rancher ever believe Trump? Trump has NO history of helping anyone but himself or his friends. Historically, whenever Trump has had to make the choice between the plutocrats and workers, he chooses plutocrats every time. Why did anyone think that would change?

[Zambero]

22. Drowning in the swamp

Having voted for Trump, they were actually under the impression he would be draining it? Another stunning example of what can be expected from a "good" con man.

[IronLionZion]

23. There was a time when Dems won elections in these Midwestern states

with people like Sebelius, Harkin, Vilsack, Kerrey, and others. Maybe some of these voters will wise up.

[defacto7]

80. +1 n/t

[47of74]

26. They made their beds.

They can lie in them now.

Fornicate them.

[machoneman]

27. Ahem brother! F-em! n/m

n/m

[47of74]

33. I grew up on a farm too.

These people allowed themselves to be blinded by their hatred of minorities, LGBT, and anyone else who is different than them.

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

28. We tried to warn these imbeciles

A year before the election. Of course when you get all your news, and have your opinions dictated to you by the likes of faux, you'd never see the warnings. I have no sympathy for those who intentionally remain uninformed. They voted their bias's and now it's hitting them in the wallet. I realize we're all hurt by their choice, but I'm thrilled to see them get bitten in the ass for it too.

[uponit7771]

45. +1, even if there wasn't a gang of people warning them there were a MYRIAD of tell tale signs

... that he wasn't for them without news or Clinton.

They can take a look at his apartment, private jet, his whole lifestyle for the last 20 years to indicate there was less likelihood that he would be for any outside of his circle.

Maybe I'm blessed to have exposure to some rich people who had to never have accountability for much but Benedict Donald was out and out 3 card Monty type of guy.

[BobTheSubgenius]

29. No matter how badly I feel about the plight of the rancher or farmer,

I can't stop thinking about his word "betrayed." That is almost proof positive that he very willingly voted for this nightmare, despite every warning sign in the world.

Or, perhaps he simply didn't care about any other issue. Either way...

[Botany]

30. ATTN Mike Callicrate

Last edited Wed Apr 25, 2018, 10:59 AM - Edit history (1)

You voted for him and now you have lost one of the world's biggest market
in China and now your farm has trouble getting help because of Trump's policies.

Oh well, you stopped Hillary's liberal agenda. Too bad if the farm that has been
in your family for generations is taken away from you.

[sakabatou]

31. We warned these people but they didn't listen

[mountain grammy]

32. File this under

Boo fucking hoo. I don’t feel good about wishing ill on people, but when they vote for the end of anything decent and good about America, as flawed as it is, I just gotta say, fuck em.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

34. Trump said he'd stand by farmers and ranchers like me. He hasn't.

PostEverything Perspective

Trump said he’d stand by farmers and ranchers like me. He hasn’t.

By Mike Callicrate April 25 at 6:00 AM

https://twitter.com/MikeCallicrate

Mike Callicrate is an independent cattle producer, business entrepreneur and political activist.

As a Kansas rancher, I know firsthand that President Trump won his 2016 election with tremendous support from communities like mine. Farmers and ranchers, who Trump promised to support and stand behind, are under major threat from big agribusiness. Unfortunately, despite Trump’s campaign promises, when it was time to stand up against big agribusiness, he caved. His actions have left farmers and ranchers such as myself feeling betrayed and afraid for our economic futures.

I know what it’s like to have the boot of big agribusiness on your neck and how the deck is stacked against the producer. In the 1970s, I moved to St. Francis, Kan., from Colorado to start my own farming and ranching business. ... That’s when the market began to change. One by one, the meatpackers I sold to merged, shut down or were sold to foreign conglomerates. Eventually, the cattle industry became dominated by only four major buyers: JBS, Tyson, Cargill and National Beef. This consolidation tilted the playing field to the big companies, sapping the bargaining power of cattle producers, making it impossible to get a fair price and creating enormous openings for abuse and exploitation. According to the USDA census, the cattle-producer population has dropped by nearly 40 percent in the past 40 years.
....

I refused to ignore this abusive market power, and I began speaking out about these unfair business practices. That’s when I learned firsthand how big agribusinesses use their power to punish critics. By 1998, all four of the big meatpackers blackballed my feedlot, refusing to buy my cattle. They forced me out of the cattle-feeding business. I was left with no remedy, because too many courts have held that for farmers to hold agribusiness accountable for abusive practices, we have to show that the unfair practice affected the entire industry — a virtually impossible standard to meet.

In 2016, after a multiyear process and with input from producers around the country, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the Farmer Fair Practices Rules, which would have made it easier to bring unfair practice claims without proving marketwide distortions. The rules would have provided much-needed relief to independent and contract producers.
....

Mike Callicrate is an independent cattle producer, business entrepreneur and political activist. Follow @MikeCallicrate

[leftyladyfrommo]

35. Trump is a crooked real estate devilper from New York.

Why would anyone think he has any understanding of ranching?

This is what happens when you have incompetent people running things they know nothing about. And Trump's cabinet is full of those incompetent people.

[workinclasszero]

36. Trump's pals in Big Arga

will buy up all the bankrupt family farms for pennies on the dollar after his trade policies decimate them.

What kinda idiot thinks a damn republican actually gives a flyin **** about any non-billionaires?!

Enjoy your filthy president suckers!

[malthaussen]

37. Sorry, pal, my violin is broken.

Maybe you should think before you vote, next time.

-- Mal

[old guy]

39. Blah, blah, blah.

[Snake Plissken]

40. Trump won't fight for us but we'll continue to vote for him, because Obama is still Black.

The GOP is basically the KKK with a refreshing coating of paint, so I really don't expect Republicans to betray their racism to vote for a government that will help them.

[uponit7771]

46. +1

[wryter2000]

52. And Hillary's a bitch

Who couldn't keep her man at home

[Nitram]

41. What did they expect from a New York two-bit mafioso thug?

He don't know from agriculture.

[TheCowsCameHome]

44. Next time, read the fine print, Mike.

Heh.

[JDC]

47. Dear Mr Callicrate, Suck it. Sincerely, Donald J Trump

He and his ilk ignored the obvious warnhng signs: racists/inflammatory statements, actions, and signals that Trump was unqualified, a grifter, unintelligent, in the pocket of business, and of a foreign power. He took the gamble, wagering the well being of this country as table stakes. He and all those who VOTED FOR this mess should feel the sting more than anyone else. As they say down on his farm, you reap what you sow.

[peggysue2]

51. Mr Callicrate, you bemoan a betrayal against . . .

farmers and ranchers without admitting that the Trumpster has betrayed the entire country, betrays the Republic every f**cking day. We all tend to act in terms of our own self-interest but there comes a point when looking at the bigger picture is necessary for our collective survival.

That time is Now.

My suggestion? Stop buying into wedge issues and/or fears and resentments that someone is getting more than you are. Start evaluating the wrong-thinking involved in insisting that regulation is always, always bad. When Purdue claimed that you and other farmers/ranchers should put your trust in agribusiness for fair treatment, the alarm bells should have gone off loud and clear. And if you appreciated the Obama Administration's Farmer Fair Practices Rules, why in the hell would you support someone like Donald Trump, the Grifter-in-Chief?

Bitter dose of reality, Mr. Callicrate: you were played by a damn conman. Time to admit that in clear, plain language. Then we can work together to put this right.

Because if we don't, your situation will only get worse. As will mine and 300+ million other Americans.

We stand together or we hang together. It's as true now as when Adams first said it.

[safeinOhio]

53. Takes a greedy farmer to

stop a greedy president.

[NCjack]

54. Wake up, Kansas. You are not getting a Trump Hotel. nt

[Amimnoch]

56. So Vote DEMOCRATIC PARTY!!!! Mr. Callicrate.

Get your friends and fellows to VOTE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!!!!

Not only will a Democratic Party POTUS and Congress work to ensure business practices that makes the field fair for you, they will also:

* Ensure that should your business fail you and your families have access to health care.
* Ensure that should your business fail you and your families have access to social services, and financial assistance that will help keep you on your feet until you are back on your own feet without assistance.
* Help you out with financial and social services through the same farming bills that Democratic Party leadership has sponsored and tried to keep going for decades now!!!!

FFS man, the Republicans have been killing off bills to help you and yours for decades now!!! The Republicans love your vote and devotion, but they draft legislation that screws over your entire business model AND draft legislation and executive orders that take away any assistance you could have received after they've done fucked over your business model! Wake up man!

[aggiesal]

57. Hey Idiot, it's not IQ45's policies, it's the whole damn GOP policy ...

and you keep voting them into office.

WAKE UP!!!

[HopeAgain]

59. Waa! Waa!

No sympathy, none.

[Hekate]

60. I wish the word would get out here to the farmers in California's Central Valley...

According to a recent LA Times article, they are still believers.

[niyad]

61. what made you think he was ever FOR you in the first place? what had he EVER done to make you

think he cared about the common people?

SUCKER

[RockRaven]

65. I'm saving my pity

for people hurt by Trump/Repubs who voted against him/them. Enough is enough. The GOP is who they've always been (in my lifetime anyhow), Trump isn't unique. Anyone who voted GOP, or sat idly by while their neighbors did, and then complains when hurt by them can pound sand.

That said, Mr. Callicrate feel free to vote for candidates with a (D) next to their name in the next election. Or expect more of the same.

[ck4829]

76. +1

[S.E. TN Liberal]

66. Agribusinesses can get TraitorTrump on their side easily.

All they need do is give TraitorTrump a huge farm for his very own. Once he has a chance to make money he will do anything to do so.

[Vinca]

67. Three words: boo fucking hoo.

It's what you voted for, Mikey.

[Scurrilous]

68. K&R

[ellie]

70. Big fat bummer!

Anyone who couldn't see that trump has a bloviating con man a mile away deserves to feel pain.

[BlueJac]

73. OMG! ......

Trump let you down, WTF were you thinking? Don the Con! Turn off Fox and Friends!

[muntrv]

75. What's the matter?

[ck4829]

83. LOL

[walkingman]

84. That's what you get for voting "Conservative"! Yuk!

[Takket]

85. But her emails

[Beartracks]

86. He didn't betray them. He was never with them. Put differently...

... They weren't betrayed. They were lied to.

And the Republican party let it happen, made it happen, and didn't care that it happened.

=========

[Progressive dog]

88. "if Trump won't fight for us, we will bring the fight to him."

Even when Trump has already lied to them and taken back previous victories (won for them by the party that they voted against), they still draw yet another red line.

[EffieBlack]

89. Wow. If only someone had warned you, hunh?