Letters to the editor

Lost credibility

My goodness, two Alliance MPs criticize The Western Producer editorial for asking what they have done for the farmer. Let’s remember what these one-note wonders didn’t do:

They don’t complain about the railways gouging grain farmers on freight rates, because they were the ones who promised that deregulation would lower our costs.
They didn’t complain when the Canadian Transport Commission ruled that joint running rights on rail lines could not happen, because they supported the deregulation and trade deals that make joint running rights nearly impossible.

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Kochia has become a significant problem for Prairie farmers

As you travel through southern Saskatchewan and Alberta, particularly in areas challenged by dry growing conditions, the magnitude of the kochia problem is easy to see.

They didn’t condemn the U.S. for another frivolous trade investigation into the Canadian Wheat Board (the ninth one, no less) because they don’t like the CWB.
They haven’t raised hell about the changes to the Canada Grain Commission and the loss of protections for farmers in that process, because they appear to care more about multinational grain companies than anything else….

What did the Alliance say about the fact that the food retailing sector is taking a bigger and bigger share of the overall food dollar each year at the expense of both farmers and consumers? The Alliance said nothing because it would seem they love the corporate sector, and the bigger and more foreign owned, the better.
Any complaints about a giant multi-national suing some poor Saskatchewan farmer because some canola seeds blew in on his field and grew? How about the fact this same plant appears to be heading for nuisance weed status faster than an Alliance member can sign up for a Parliamentary pension?

This bunch has consistently backed the policies that have created the farm crisis. Their policies have let giant corporations, whose greed used to be moderated by government regulation, exercise their “freedom” at the expense of the rest of us.

If it comes out of a right-wing U.S. think tank, it’s gospel to them.

It is no wonder the Alliance has completely lost its credibility: its policies have proven to be a disaster when implemented by the ever eager Liberals.

When you have friends like the Alliance, who needs enemies like the Liberals? The best thing the Alliance could do would be to stop “helping” farmers so much. We can hardly stand it now.

– Ken Larsen,

Benalto, Alta.

Corporate rhetoric

Thinking people are becoming increasingly skeptical of private corporate rhetoric.

A June 14 radio broadcast released a Big Sky declaration that large scale hog producers, by keeping meat processors in business, aid small operators by keeping livestock shipping costs at a minimum.

What other myths will the biggies expect us to believe?

Historically, small meat processing plants and flour mills dotted Western Canada. Even little Blaine Lake, Sask., had these industries. The former meat processing building still stands firm (and) serves as a machinery maintenance shed.

These value-added industries developed and prospered until they were squeezed out by greedy private corporations while cowardly and corrupt governments allowed these forces to centralize power, control and production. Even some large operations like Quaker Oats in Saskatoon fell victim to such assaults.

It has long been known that small agricultural and industrial units, along with public industries like hospitals, universities and research stations, produce the most valuable knowledge while large private corporations generate inflation, unemployment and social discontent.

The sad truth is that private corporations at public expense often profit immensely from such research. …

Governments can easily protect democracy against plutocracy simply by imposing incremental taxation rates on larger operations to discourage amalgamations and takeovers.

Some forces, particularly the Saskatchewan Party, say much about a crumbling rural society. They can easily demonstrate their sincerity by trying to influence governments to implement such tax moves; particularly against the forces which originated the closure of grain elevators.

– Stuart Makaroff,

Saskatoon, Sask.

Investment needed

The Federal and Provincial governments in Canada need to immediately develop and implement policies that will encourage investment into value-added processing operations for both new and existing crops.

Until this is completed, crisis management in cash crops will be the norm.

These policies can be simple investment tax credits and government-backed loans that apply to companies that process agricultural products.

Ideas such as these were being discussed six years ago when the Crow rate was being phased out, but nothing was done and the various levels of government across Canada are now tasting the fruits of their inaction.

– Geofrey G. Kime,

President, Hempline Inc.,

Delaware, Ont.

Do research

I have read with some skepticism of the (Western Canadian) Wheat Growers (Association) president Jim Pallister.

The CWB is being blamed for the spread of fusarium blight in wheat. The same members of the wheat growers association brought in American feed wheat where the disease is very prevalent in these states they imported this seed from.

Give me a break, Jim. The CWB didn’t cause the extravagant subsidies that the U.S. and Europe have on their wheat, soybeans, corn, etc.

Do a little bit of research before expounding about the damage the CWB has caused farmers.

You mention pasta plants that are not being built in Saskatchewan or Alberta. The large Catelli plants, for example, don’t build where the durum is grown. They are concentrated around large population areas like Minneapolis, Montreal (and) Los Angeles. They can draw on a large labor pool, their infrastructure is already in place, good transportation system. Ideal tax rates (are) given by those cities and states. …

All you have to do to understand why these large, powerful regions subsidize the U.S.A. and Europe is understandable. Europe went through two very destructive wars where large numbers of their farmers were massacred on the battlefields of Europe.

The U.S.A. looks at agriculture as being strategically important and in their national best interest to keep farmers on the land.

If you don’t believe me, watch the U.S. Farm Report on Fox TV Saturday mornings. To Americans, it’s as important as having a strong military, to have viable agriculture.

– Robert Butt,

Mantario, Sask.

MP pensions

Canada would not be in the sad shape it is in if the prime minister and MPs and Senate would have earned the salaries they were paid. They should receive a modest salary plus expenses, (and) on retiring, a severance package based on length of service, performance and condition of country. That would give incentive to give us good government, which we haven’t had for over 35 years.

They have set up a form of government giving the PM dictatorial power to elect a dictator is not a democracy. The senate are pawns of the PM. They are not as intended by the BNA Act should be scrapped or made accountable to the people….

Many years ago, they delegated control of our money system to the banking community. Most every year the banks declare record-breaking profits, while many businesses and individuals are bankrupt. This also led to a huge national debt, much of it wasted on frivolous whims of the PM. The cost of servicing this debt would be better spent elsewhere. It is ridiculous for a country the size of Canada with all the resources we have to be in debt.

Criminals in jail are treated like royalty, at great expense, yet medical education and agriculture go short. Violent criminals are turned loose to repeat their crimes of murder, rape, child molesting, kidnapping. The law protects the criminals more than the people….

MP Roy Bailey (WP, June 14) and anyone else that is considering not taking the raise, should take it and donate it to a worthy cause in their respective constituencies. All those that voted no should do likewise. Their electorate would know that they didn’t vote no, knowing full well they would get it anyway. Perhaps they could shame a few yes voters to do likewise.