Byron Dorgan: “I don't like having to come here and ratchet away on this issue day after day. I know some get tired of that, but this…”

“I don't like having to come here and ratchet away on this issue day after day. I know some get tired of that, but this literally is about whether people will survive out on the family farm. I have used some letters to try to describe their plight. I used a letter the other day of a woman who described the two jobs she has, the two jobs her husband has, in addition to raising kids and running the farm, and all the part-time jobs her kids have. She wrote how they are just flat broke, out of money and with no capability of making it. The price of hogs is down. The price of cattle is down. The price of grain has collapsed. She said to her daughter, ``Let us try to buy you one pair of new jeans for school.'' And her daughter said, ``No. Mom, I understand we can't afford that.'' They are just out of money and about to give up hope. This Congress needs to intervene to do something. We need to say to our farmers, ``You matter to this country.'' I am not saying we should prop up some artificial economy for farms. I am saying that these farmers face monopolies in every direction they turn.”