As we get close to winter, we will hear more from Ottawa about trade agreements, changes in regulations and new legislation. Analysts will be reviewing the changes to see the effect on the farmer’s bottom line.
One recent article showed that one change puts $10 million in farmer’s pockets but listed several changes that would put more than $200 million into farmer’s pockets that were left on the back burner.
If the past is an indication, others will show changes will take money from farmer’s pockets and will transfer that money to businesses that provide services to farmers.
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Why do farmers get the short end of the stick?
One explanation is provided by John Stuart Mill: “Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that more stupid people are conservative.”
He said he believed this was so obvious and universally admitted a principal that he hardly thought any gentleman would deny it.
Our farming ancestors had another observation. “Conservatives are liberals in a hurry,” realizing that businesses can get Conservative led governments to bring in more and better legislation for them than Liberal led governments.
For years we have lived under a system that fosters the cult of the individual. If you invest and work hard, you will succeed. Courses are even given on how to set up enterprises.
Some farmers get caught up in this way of thinking. Free enterprise is the way to go, so they say. They do not realize that large corporate businesses seemingly do not believe in competition as a way of doing business.
A recent example is found in the potash franchise takeover attempt. The Australian company involved has a history of working with other companies handling a similar product to develop a pricing formula so they do not have to compete with each other in the marketplace.
Farmers are businessmen? We have been brainwashed so long we do not realize we are not on the horizon when it comes to politics.
There are writers who insist that rural areas do well under Conservative governments. With rural communities downsizing and collapsing, are they pulling our legs? They must be on the Conservative payroll, like right-wing think-tanks are.
Are we being duped into thinking we do better under Conservatives? Do you think J.S. Mill’s observation is the reason farmer’s get the short end of the stick?
Lorne Jackson,
Riverhurst, Sask.
