Political Quotes

“Agricultural legislation is, of course, very important to the State of Montana. There is no question about a changed policy on how we serve agriculture. There is no doubt in my mind that this bill will not bring lower prices for food commodities. Agribusiness will continue to buy as cheap as they can. The taxpayer will continue to pay their prices, and also the taxpayer will continue to participate in the income of American agriculture at the production level. That is not going to change. What has changed a little bit is that we are into price support protection of a commodity. We are not in the business of guaranteeing the income of the farmer. This will allow us to make a strong argument for a market-driven economy on the global scene. It will have trade impacts. There is no question in my mind. Even though we have dealt with this kind of situation before, it is my belief that we will drive up the cost of land. When we do that, the bigger producers will buy out the lower producers. So we don't save a lot of small producers--the people we are trying to help out. That is what farm bills do. That is what price supports on commodities do. I will vote for this bill. But it is hard to stand up here and talk philosophy and about a direction when you are in the middle of a 5-year drought. Montana needs some help.”