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Kent and Ionia County Farm Bureaus, Wyoming, MI, May 18, 1968
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Kent and Ionia County Farm Bureaus, Wyoming, MI, May 18, 1968
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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The original documents are located in Box D24, folder "Kent and Ionia County Farm
Bureaus, Wyoming, MI, May 18, 1968" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary
and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D24 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
KENT AND IONIA COUNTY FARM BUREAUS
SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 18, 1968, WYOMING, MICH.
"ONE HUNDRED PER CENT OF OPPORTUNITY"
I AM HUMBLED TO THINK THAT YOU HAVE
GATHERED HERE TONIGHT, IN MY HONOR. THIS ALSO
MAKES ME FEEL VERY PROUD. AND CERTAINLY I FEEL
GRATEFUL FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF REPRESENTING YOU
FRIENDS
Farm Bureau
IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
muting Community through
I HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO DO THE BEST
JOB I KNOW HOW FOR YOU--AND ANY TIME YOU HAVE
ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ME I WILL BE MORE THAN
HAPPY TO HEAR THEM. WHAT I AM SAYING IS/THAT I
WANT YOU TO HELP ME HELP YOU.
IN MY BOOK, FARM PEOPLE ARE THE SALT
OF THE EARTH. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT VERY CLOSE
TO THEM. TO ME, THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT
PEOPLE-THE FIRST AMONG THE CHOSEN.
In addition to my long + close frendship with many
LET ME TELL YOU WHY YOU ARE
GLRALD FORD VIBRARY
-2-
IMPORTANT.
AGRICULTURE IS THE LARGEST OF THE
12 BIGGEST AMERICAN INDUSTRIES. IT LEADS IN
ASSETS. IT LEADS IN SPENDING FOR EQUIPMENT.
IT LEADS IN NUMBER OF WORKERS.
IT CONSTANTLY AMAZES ME THAT OUR
FARMERS, WHO MAKE UP 10 OR 11 PER CENT OF OUR
POPULATION, ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE ENOUGH FOOD AND
FIBER TO MEET THE NEEDS NOT ONLY OF THE
224 MILLION PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY BUT MILLIONS
IN OTHER NATIONS AS WELL. WHAT A CONTRAST WITH
THE SOVIET UNION, WHERE MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OF
THE PEOPLE LIVE ON THE FARMS BUT CANNOT PRODUCE
ENOUGH OF THE BASIC NECESSITIES FOR EVEN THEIR
OWN COUNTRYMEN! THIS GOES TO PROVE THE GREAT
STRENGTH OF OUR FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM.
THE AMERICAN FARMER HAS PRODUCED
AN ECONOMIC MIRACLE IN THE LAST TWO DECADES. IF
THE FARMER HAD NOT GREATLY INCREASED HIS
EALD FORD a LIBRARY
EFFICIENCY, EVERY AMERICAN WOULD BE PAYING FOR
-3-
MORE FOR HIS FOOD AND ENJOYING IT LESS.
AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT HAS GONE UP
5 PER CENT A YEAR SINCE 1948 WHILE OUTPUT PER
MAN-HOUR IN MANUFACTURING HAS INCREASED JUST
2.7 PER CENT PER YEAR.
FARM PRODUCTION HAS JUMPED NEARLY
40 PER CENT DURING THE LAST 20 YEARS. OR, TO
PUT IT ANOTHER WAY, EACH AMERICAN FARMER TODAY
GROWS ENOUGH TO FEED 40 PEOPLE, COMPARED TO ONLY
12 IN 1948.
WHO ACCOMPLISHED THIS MIRACLE? IT
WAS THE FAMILY-SIZED FARM.
TODAY WE TALK ABOUT AGRICULTURE AS
AN INDUSTRY--A BIG OPERATION.
THAT REMINDS ME OF A BOY I KNOW WHO
UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A FARMER IN THE
TRUE SENSE OF THE WORD. WHEN THIS BOY WAS ASKED
BY HIS TEACHER TO WRITE A PAPER ABOUT
AGRICULTURE, HE SAID, "AGRICULTURE IS A LOT
LIKE FARMING, EXCEPT. THAT IN FARMING YOU REALLY
-4-
HAVE TO WORK AT IT."
YES, FARMERS WORK HARD AND THEY
SHOULD BE FULLY COMPENSATED FOR THEIR LABORS.
I DON' HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THE FAMILY FARMER
IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT RECEIVING THE ECONOMIC
REWARDS HE IS ENTITLED TO WHEN YOU CONSIDER HIS
INVESTMENT IN LAND AND EQUIPMENT, LONG HOURS
OF LABOR, AND THE RISK WHICH INCLUDES THE
UNCERTAINTIES OF WEATHER.
I SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT THE TREMENDOUS
CONTRIBUTIONS THE FAMILY FARMER HAS MADE TO
AMERICAN WELL-BEING AND PROSPERITY OVER THE
PAST 20 YEARS. IT IS DOUBLY AMAZING, THEREFORE,
THAT FARMERS ARE THE ONLY GROUP IN THIS COUNTRY
TO EARN LESS MONEY THAN 20 YEARS AGO. IT'S
TRUE. IN 1947, NET REALIZED FARM INCOME WAS
$17 BILLION. IN 1967 IT WAS $14.5 BILLION.
IN FACT, THE SHOWING OF ONLY
$14.5 BILLION IN NET REALIZED FARM INCOME IN
1967 WAS A $1.9 BILLION DROP FROM THE YEAR 1966.
-5-
DO YOU KNOW OF ANY OTHER GROUP IN OUR SOCIETY
THAT TOOK A $1.9 BILLION PAY CUT LAST YEAR
LAST FEBRUARY 27, PRESIDENT JOHNSON
SENT HIS 1968 FARM MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. IN THAT
SPEECH, HE SAID, "SINCE I HAVE BEEN PRESIDENT,
I HAVE BEEN PROUD TO SIGN 184 MEASURES DESIGNED
TO ASSIST FARMERS AND THE RURAL COMMUNITY."
WHAT HE DID NOT MENTION IS THAT
FARM PRICES HAVE GONE UP ONLY A LITTLE IN THE
LAST SEVEN YEARS WHILE THE INDEX OF PRICES
PAID BY THE FARMER HAS GONE UP 44 POINTS.
WHY HAS THE FARMER FARED SO BADLY?
IT SEEMS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE FARMER HAS BEEN--
AND STILL IS--A PRIME VICTIM OF INFLATION.
THE FARMER IS CAUGHT IN A BIND.
PRODUCTION COSTS HAVE GONE WAY UP. AS A RESULT,
THE FARMER IS FAILING TO GET A BIG ENOUGH SLICE
OF THE ECONOMIC PIE.
THE GOVERNMENT CAN AND SHOULD HELP
THE FARMER. BUT ITS PRINCIPAL ROLE SHOULD BE TO
-6-
CREATE THE PROPER LEGISLATIVE CLIMATE FOR
EFFECTIVE FARM PRICE BARGAINING AND Therely FARM SUCCESS.
CERTAINLY ANY ADMINISTRATION WHICH FOSTERS
INFLATION IS HURTING THE FARMER, NOT HELPING
HIM.
IT IS NO ANSWER TO THE FARM
COST-PRICE SQUEEZE TO MAKE FARMERS DEPENDENT ON
of must
CHECKS FROM THE U.S. TREASURY. FARMERS SHOULD
GET A SATISFACTORY RETURN FROM THE MARKET place 1
IN THE LONG RUN, A CHEAP FOOD POLICY
AT THE EXPENSE OF THE FARMER AND THE TAXPAYER
HURTS THE ENTIRE NATION.
THE FARMER JUST WANTS AN EVEN
BREAK, AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE EQUITABLY IN THE
FRUITS OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY.
I HAVE LONG ADMIRED THE AMERICAN
FARM BUREAU FOR ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE NET
INCOME OF FARM PEOPLE AND TO MOVE THE FARM
COMMUNITY AHEAD. for marly 20yrs 2 have been an associate minher FORD
fthe Farm Bureau of I'm proud Ifmy membership card.
I AM PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED
-7-
WITH FARM PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN
GREAT STRENGTH OF CHARACTER AND HAVE TRIED TO
character of AMERICAN PEOPLE.
HELP THEMSELVES.
Bur, of Int. Rw.
YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS DEMONSTRATED
HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO DISCUSS AND DEVELOP LOCAL
AND NATIONAL ISSUES AND TO SEEK HEALTHY
LEGISLATIVE GOALS.
Community Armpo - Resolutions
Real Democracy in action
I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND THE FARM
BUREAU FOR SEEKING TO REDUCE FARM PRODUCTION
COSTS THROUGH ITS SERVICE TO MEMBERS AND TO
IMPROVE FARM INCOME THROUGH BETTER DISTRIBUTION
AND MARKETING PROGRAMS.
honestly infection d
NOW
WHAT CAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
DO TO HELP FARMERS
FIRST OF ALL, THERE CAN BE NO HELP
UNLESS THE PARTY IN POWER IN WASHINGTON PURSUES
SOUND FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICIES, KEEPS THE
DOLLAR SOUND, AND HELPS MAINTAIN FAIRLY STABLE
of demand at The market place
PRICES
WHILE THE ECONOMY, GROWS AT A HEALTHY RATE.
THIS MEANS INFLATION MUST BE ERALD STOPPED-
-8-
FOR THE GOOD OF THE FARMER AND EVERY OTHER
AMERICAN. THIS IS WHY CONGRESS MUST APPROVE
THE SPENDING CUT-TAX INCREASE PACKAGE WHICH
WILL COME UP FOR A VOTE EARLY NEXT MONTH. WE
MUST PUT A DAMPER ON THE FEDERAL SPENDING
EXPLOSION WE HAVE BEEN WITNESSING OVER THE LAST
SEVERAL YEARS--THE SPENDING SPIRAL WHICH LIT
Pop up 10/10/19. employees up 25% / cost of payroll up 95%
THE INFLATION SKYROCKET AND SENT PRICES SOARING.
Employees- Cost - 454, up DON' T LIKE A TAX INCREASE ANY
of federal goot 80%
MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE. BUT IF WE DON'T PUT OUR
FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER, WE WILL BE INVITING A
BOOM-AND-BUST TYPE OF RECESSION. "30s
I'M INSISTING ON A $6 BILLION
SPENDING REDUCTION AND A CEILING ON FUTURE
EXPENDITURES. IF CONGRESS DOESN T DRAW THE
Pres Johnsons
LINE, THE REVENUE FROM THE TAX INCREASE WILL
BECOME THE VEHICLE FOR EVEN GREATER SPENDING.
IF WE SLOW DOWN INFLATION, IT WILL
HELP THE FARMER AS WELL AS EVERYONE ELSE.
FORD
IN THE AREA OF FARM LEGISLATION,
-9-
CONGRESS SHOULD DETERMINE WHAT PROGRAMS ARE
WORKING AND WHICH PROGRAMS AREN'T AND ACT
ACCORDINGLY.
WHAT THE FARMER NEEDS IS 100 PER
CENT OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGHER INCOME. AND MORE
OF THE SAME IS NOT THE WAY TO PROVIDE THE
FARMER WITH THAT OPPORTUNITY.
THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
RECENTLY VOTED OUT A BILL EXTENDING THE PRESENT
BASIC COMMODITIES FARM PROGRAM--THE AGRICULTURAL
Trankly
ACT OF 1965--FOR ONE YEAR.
I'M NOT AT ALL
HAPPY ABOUT IT. The only justification alministration - it will give a new
THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ACT OF
1965 HAS NOT WORKED WELL. WHEN THE ACT BECAME
EFFECTIVE, THE FARM PARITY RATIO STODD AT 81
a mean all Time
SINCE THEN IT HAS DROPPED STEADILY TO AN ABYSMALLY
LOW, of 73. EVEN THE ADJUSTED PARITY RATIO--WHICH
INCLUDES DIRECT PAYMENTS TO FARMERS--HAS DROPPED
TO 79 AFTER REACHING 87 IN JANUARY 1966.
a-8 points
1
in 2 yrs
THE ACT OF 1965 HAS FAILED TO EXPAND
-10-
DOMESTIC MARKETS AND HAS FAILED TO EXPAND EXPORTS.
20 it rensible
WHAT SENSE DOES IT MAKE TO KEEP
UNCHANGED A FARM LAW THAT ISCOSTING THE
TAXPAYERS ROUGHLY $3 BILLION A YEAR WHEN THE
BENEFITS TO FARMERS ARE CLEARLY INADEQUATE?
must
WE HAVE JUST GOT TO DO BETTER.
REPAIR JOBS ON OLD PROGRAMS MAY
HELP--BECAUSE CERTAINLY WE CAN PROFIT FROM
EXPERIENCE. The bad experience of the part several years should
lead The way to new ideas.
FARM MARKET BARGAINING POWER OFFERS
CONSIDERABLE PROMISE. FOR THAT REASON I WAS
HAPPY TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION ENACTED BY THE
CONGRESS THIS YEAR GIVING FARMERS THE RIGHT TO
JOIN MARKETING OR BARGAINING ASSOCIATIONS
WITHOUT FEAR OF DISCRIMINATION OR ECONOMIC
RETALIATION.
FARM BARGAINING POWER HOLDS PROMISE
WHEN FARMERS GET TOGETHER AND FORM MARKETING
ASSOCIATIONS, AS YOU FARM BUREAU MEMBERS HERE
IN MICHIGAN HAVE DONE. I WANT TO COMPLIMENT YOU
-11-
FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN THIS DIRECTION.
I THINK THERE IS REAL HOPE WE WILL
FIND WAYS TO CUT FARM PRODUCTION COSTS AND TO
IMPROVE FARM PRICES THROUGH NEW FORMS OF
MARKET ORGANIZATION AND BETTER COORDINATION OF
SUPPLY.
AN EXTENSION OF PUBLIC LAW 480--
WHICH PRESIDENT EISENHOWER AND THE FARM BUREAU
inthe/9505
INITIATED AS THE FOOD FOR PEACE PROGRAM--NOW
IS MOVING THROUGH THE CONGRESS. I BELIEVE THIS
PROGRAM WILL PRODUCE EVEN GREATER DIVIDENDS FOR
THE FARMER THAN IN THE PAST--PARTICULARLY IF IT
IS MADE TO OPERATE AS A MORE POSITIVE INFLUENCE
ON DOMESTIC FARM PRICES.
WE MUST ALSO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, PROVIDE
at measonable notes
AMPLE AGRICULTURAL CREDIT, AND CONTINUE OUR
SOIL, WATER, AND FORESTRY CONSERVATION AND
SERVICE PROGRAMS.
THERE IS MUCH TALK ABOUT THE
GERALD FORD VIBRARY
-12-
PROBLEMS OF THE CITIES--AND THOSE PROBLEMS ARE
Crime nate - "pop" 10/0/crime 88%
INDEED GRAVE. BUT UNLESS WE FIND A WAY TO PAY
FAIR PRICES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FOOD, WE WILL
SEE AGRICULTURE DEVELOP INTO A CORPORATE
CONGLOMERATION THAT WILL DUMP THOUSANDS OF
RURAL PEOPLE INTO THE CITIES AND AGGRAVATE THE
PROBLEMS THERE.
and the mation insis will get ams.
WE MUST REVITALIZE OUR RURAL ECONOMY.
AND WE CAN REBUILD OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES ONLY
THROUGH NATIONAL POLICIES THAT WILL ASSURE A
FAIR RETURN TO THE PEOPLE WHO PRODUCE OUR FOOD
AND FIBER.
YOU HAVE HONORED ME HERE TONIGHT.
BUT I FEEL IT IS YOU--THE FARMERS OF THIS
COUNTRY-WHO MOST DESERVE THE ACCOLADES OF
OTHER AMERICANS. NOT ALONE FOR THE TREMENDOUS
STRIDES YOU HAVE MADE IN EFFICIENCY OF
PRODUCTION AND YOUR GREAT CONTRIBUTION IN
FEEDING THE WORLD. BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE SETTING
AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP FOR ALL AMERICA.
-13-
I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF A SURVEY BY
THE GALLUP POLL PEOPLE WHICH SHOWS THAT OF ALL
THE OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS IN THE COUNTRY, FARMERS
FAR OUTRANK ALL OTHERS IN PERCENTAGE OF THOSE
REGISTERED TO VOTE. THE SURVEY SHOWED FARMERS
IN THE 21 TO 29 AGE GROUP WITH AN 83 PER CENT
RATING ON VOTER REGISTRATION, AS COMPARED WITH
ONLY 57 PER CENT FOR THE NEXT HIGHEST
OCCUPATIONAL GROUP. Churchell
I COMMEND AMERICA'S FARMERS FOR
THEIR INTEREST IN GOOD GOVERNMENT AND URGE THAT
ALL OTHER AMERICANS IMITATE YOUR WILLINGNESS
TO BE INVOLVED IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. THAT
IS THE BEST GUARANTEE THIS NATION HAS FOR
ACHIEVING GOVERNMENT WHICH IS TRULY
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE.
WITH THE PEOPLE SHOWING THAT KIND
OF CONCERN, I WOULD HAVE NO FEAR FOR AMERICA'S
FUTURE. I WOULD FEEL CERTAIN THAT WE CAN GAIN
NEW CONFIDENCE, RESTORE LAW AND ORDER, AND
-14-
USHER IN A NEW ERA OF EQUAL JUSTICE AND EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FARM PEOPLE OF THIS
COUNTRY AND FOR ALL AMERICANS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
-END-
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
A SPEECH BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH., BEFORE THE KENT AND IONIA COUNTY FARM
BUREAUS, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 18, 1968, AT WYOMING, MICH.
For Use in Sunday AM's
"ONE HUNDRED PER CENT OF OPPORTUNITY"
I am humbled to think that you have gathered here tonight in my honor. This
also makes me feel very proud. And certainly I feel grateful for the privilege of
representing you in the Congress of the United States.
I have always tried to do the best job I know how for you--and any time you
have any suggestions for me I will be more than happy to hear them. What I am
saying is that I want you to help me help you.
In my book, farm people are the salt of the earth. I have always felt very
close to them. To me, they are very important people--the first among the chosen.
Let me tell you why you are important.
Agriculture is the largest of the 12 biggest American industries. It leads
in assets. It leads in spending for equipment. It leads in number of workers.
It constantly amazes me that our farmers, who make up 10 or 11 per cent of
our population, are able to produce enough food and fiber to meet the needs not
only of the 224 million people in this country but millions in other nations as
well. What a contrast with the Soviet Union, where more than 50 per cent of the
people live on the farms but cannot produce enough of the basic necessities for
even their own countrymen! This goes to prove the great strength of our free
enterprise system.
The American farmer has produced an economic miracle in the last two decades.
If the farmer had not greatly increased his efficiency, every American would be
paying far more for his food and enjoying it less.
Agricultural output has gone up 5 per cent a year since 1948 while output
per man-hour in manufacturing has increased just 2.7 per cent per year.
Farm production has jumped nearly 40 per cent during the last 20 years. Or,
to put it another way, each American farmer today grows enough to feed 40 people,
compared to only 12 in 1948.
Who accomplished this miracle? It was the family-sized farm.
Today we talk about agriculture as an industry--a big operation.
(more)
-2-
That reminds me of a boy I know who understands what it means to be a farmer
in the true sense of the word. When this boy was asked by his teacher to write a
paper about agriculture, he said: "Agriculture is a lot like farming, except that
in farming you really have to work at it."
Yes, farmers work hard and they should be fully compensated for their labors.
I don't have to tell you that the family farmer in this country is not receiving
the economic rewards he is entitled to when you consider his investment in land and
equipment, long hours of labor and the risk which includes the uncertainties of
weather.
I spoke earlier about the tremendous contributions the family farmer has
made to American well-being and prosperity over the past 20 years. It is doubly
amazing, therefore, that farmers are the only group in this country to earn less
money than 20 years ago. It's true! In 1947, net realized farm income was
$17 billion. In 1967 it was $14.5 billion.
In fact, the showing of only $14.5 billion in net realized farm income in
1967 was a $1.9 billion drop from the year 1966. Do you know of any other group
in our society that took a $1.9 billion pay cut last year?
Last February 27, President Johnson sent his 1968 Farm Message to Congress.
In that speech, he said: "Since I have been President, I have been proud to sign
184 measures designed to assist farmers and the rural community."
What he did not mention is that farm prices have gone up only a little in
the last seven years while the index of prices paid by the farmer has gone up
44 points.
Why has the farmer fared so badly? It seems clear to me that the farmer
has been--and still is--a prime victim of inflation.
The farmer is caught in a bind. Production costs have gone way up. As a
result, the farmer is failing to get a big enough slice of the economic pie.
The government can and should help the farmer, but its principal role should
be to create the proper legislative climate for effective farm price bargaining
and farm success. Certainly any Administration which fosters inflation is hurting
the farmer, not helping him.
It is no answer to the farm cost-price squeeze to make farmers dependent
on checks from the U.S. Treasury. Farmers should get a satisfactory return from
the market.
In the long run, a cheap food policy at the expense of the farmer and the
taxpayer hurts the entire Nation.
(more)
-3-
The farmer just wants an even break, an opportunity to share equitably in
the fruits of the American economy.
I have long admired the American Farm Bureau for its efforts to improve the
net income of farm people and to move the farm community ahead.
I am proud to have been associated with farm people who have consistently
shown great strength of character and have tried to help themselves.
Your organization has demonstrated how important it is to discuss and develop
local and national issues and to seek healthy legislative goals.
I also want to commend the Farm Bureau for seeking to reduce farm production
costs through its service to members and to improve farm income through better
distribution and marketing programs.
Now, what can the federal government do to help farmers?
First of all, there can be no help unless the party in power in Washington
pursues sound fiscal and monetary policies, keeps the dollar sound and helps
maintain fairly stable prices while the economy grows at a healthy rate.
This means inflation must be stopped--for the good of the farmer and every
other American. This is why Congress must approve the spending cut-tax increase
package which will come up for a vote early next month. We must put a damper on
the federal spending explosion we have been witnessing over the last several
years--the spending spiral which lit the inflation skyrocket and sent prices
soaring.
I don't like a tax increase any more than anyone else. But if we don't
put our fiscal house in order, we will be inviting a boom-and-bust type of
recession.
I'm insisting on a $6 billion spending reduction and a ceiling on future
expenditures. If Congress doesn't draw the line, the revenue from the tax increase
will become the vehicle for even greater spending.
If we slow down inflation, it will help the farmer as well as everyone else.
In the area of farm legislation, Congress should determine what programs
are working and which programs aren't and act accordingly.
What the farmer needs is 100 per cent opportunity for higher income. And
more of the same is not the way to provide the farmer with that opportunity.
The House Agriculture Committee recently voted out a bill extending the
present basic commodities farm program--the Agricultural Act of 1965--for one year.
I'm not at all heppy about it.
The Food and Agriculture Act of 1965 has not worked well. When the Act
(more)
-4-
became effective, the farm parity ratio stood at 81. Since then it has dropped
steadily to an abysmally low 73. Even the adjusted parity ratio--which includes
direct payments to farmers--has dropped to 79 after reaching 87 in January 1966.
The Act of 1965 has failed to expand domestic markets and has failed to
expand exports.
What sense does it make to keep unchanged a farm law that is costing the
taxpayers roughly $3 billion a year when the benefits to farmers are clearly
inadequate?
We have just got to do better.
Repair jobs on old programs may help--because certainly we can profit from
experience.
Farm market bargaining power offers considerable promise. For that reason I
was happy to support legislation enacted by the Congress this year giving farmers
the right to join marketing or bargaining associations without fear of discrimination
or economic retaliation.
Farm bargaining power holds promise when farmers get together and form
marketing associations, as you Farm Bureau members here in Michigan have done.
I want to compliment you for your efforts in this direction.
I think there is real hope we will find ways to cut farm production costs
and to improve farm prices through new forms of market organization and better
coordination of supply.
An extension of Public Law 480--which President Eisenhower and the Farm
Bureau initiated as the Food for Peace Program--now is moving through the Congress.
I believe this program will produce even greater dividends for the farmer than in
the past--particularly if it is made to operate as a more positive influence on
domestic farm prices.
We must also continue to promote agricultural research and education,
provide ample agricultural credit, and continue our soil, water, and forestry
conservation and service programs.
There is much talk about the problems of the cities--and those problems are
indeed grave. But unless we find a way to pay fair prices for the production of
food, we will see agriculture develop into a corporate conglomeration that will
dump thousands of rural people into the cities and aggravate the problems there.
We must revitalize our rural economy. And we can rebuild our rural
communities only through national policies that will assure a fair return to the
people who produce our food and fiber.
(more)
-5-
You have honored me here tonight. But I feel it is you--the farmers of this
country--who most deserve the accolades of other Americans. Not alone for the
tremendous strides you have made in efficiency of production and your great
contribution in feeding the world, but because you are setting an example of good
citizenship for all America.
I have just learned of a survey by the Gallup Poll people which shows that
of all the occupational groups in the country, farmers far outrank all others in
percentage of those registered to vote. The survey showed farmers in the 21 to 29
age group with an 83 per cent rating on voter registration, as compared with only
57 per cent for the next highest occupational group.
I commend America's farmers for their interest in good government and urge
that all other Americans imitate your willingness to be involved in the democratic
process. That is the best guaranteee this Nation has for achieving government
which is truly representative of the people.
With the people showing that kind of concern, I would have no fear for
America's future. I would feel certain that we can gain new confidence, restore
law and order, and usher in a new era of equal justice and equal opportunity for
the farm people of this country and for all Americans.
Again, thank you so much.
###
M Office Copy
A SPEECH BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH., BEFORE THE KENT AND IONIA COUNTY FARM
BUREAUS, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 18, 1968, AT WYOMING, MICH.
For Use in Sunday AM's
"ONE HUNDRED PER CENT OF OPPORTUNITY"
I am humbled to think that you have gathered here tonight in my honor. This
also makes me feel very proud. And certainly I feel grateful for the privilege of
representing you in the Congress of the United States.
I have always tried to do the best job I know how for you--and any time you
have any suggestions for me I will be more than happy to hear them. What I am
saying is that I want you to help me help you.
In my book, farm people are the salt of the earth. I have always felt very
close to them. To me, they are very important people--the first among the chosen.
Let me tell you why you are important.
Agriculture is the largest of the 12 biggest American industries. It leads
in assets. It leads in spending for equipment. It leads in number of workers.
It constantly amazes me that our farmers, who make up 10 or 11 per cent of
our population, are able to produce enough food and fiber to meet the needs not
only of the 224 million people in this country but millions in other nations as
well. What a contrast with the Soviet Union, where more than 50 per cent of the
people live on the farms but cannot produce enough of the basic necessities for
even their own countrymen! This goes to prove the great strength of our free
enterprise system.
The American farmer has produced an economic miracle in the last two decades.
If the farmer had not greatly increased his efficiency, every American would be
paying far more for his food. and enjoying it less.
Agricultural output has gone up 5 per cent a year since 1948 while output
per man-hour in manufacturing has increased just 2.7 per cent per year.
Farm production has jumped nearly 40 per cent during the last 20 years. Or,
to put it another way, each American farmer today grows enough to feed 40 people,
compared to only 12 in 1948.
Who accomplished this miracle? It was the family-sized farm.
Today we talk about agriculture as an industry--a big operation.
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That reminds me of a boy I know who understands what it means to be a farmer
in the true sense of the word. When this boy was asked by his teacher to write a
paper about agriculture, he said: "Agriculture is a lot like farming, except that
in farming you really have to work at it."
Yes, farmers work hard and they should be fully compensated for their labors.
I don't have to tell you that the family farmer in this country is not receiving
the economic rewards he is entitled to when you consider his investment in land and
equipment, long hours of labor and the risk which includes the uncertainties of
weather.
I spoke earlier about the tremendous contributions the family farmer has
made to American well-being and prosperity over the past 20 years. It is doubly
amazing, therefore, that farmers are the only group in this country to earn less
money than 20 years ago. It's true! In 1947, net realized farm income was
$17 billion. In 1967 it was $14.5 billion.
In fact, the showing of only $14.5 billion in net realized farm income in
1967 was a $1.9 billion drop from the year 1966. Do you know of any other group
in our society that took a $1.9 billion pay cut last year?
Last February 27, President Johnson sent his 1968 Farm Message to Congress.
In that speech, he said: "Since I have been President, I have been proud to sign
184 measures designed to assist farmers and the rural community."
What he did not mention is that farm prices have gone up only a little in
the last seven years while the index of prices paid by the farmer has gone up
44 points.
Why has the farmer fared so badly? It seems clear to me that the farmer
has been--and still is--a prime victim of inflation.
The farmer is caught in a bind. Production costs have gone way up. As a
result, the farmer is failing to get a big enough slice of the economic pie.
The government can and should help the farmer, but its principal role should
be to create the proper legislative climate for effective farm price bargaining
and farm success. Certainly any Administration which fosters inflation is hurting
the farmer, not helping him.
It is no answer to the farm cost-price squeeze to make farmers dependent
on checks from the U.S. Treasury. Farmers should get a satisfactory return from
the market.
In the long run, a cheap food policy at the expense of the farmer and the
taxpayer hurts the entire Nation.
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The farmer just wants an even break, an opportunity to share equitably in
the fruits of the American economy.
I have long admired the American Farm Bureau for its efforts to improve the
net income of farm people and to move the farm community ahead.
I am proud to have been associated with farm people who have consistently
shown great strength of character and have tried to help themselves.
Your organization has demonstrated how important it is to discuss and develop
local and national issues and to seek healthy legislative goals.
I also want to commend the Farm Bureau for seeking to reduce farm production
costs through its service to members and to improve farm income through better
distribution and marketing programs.
Now, what can the federal government do to help farmers?
First of all, there can be no help unless the party in power in Washington
pursues sound fiscal and monetary policies, keeps the dollar sound and helps
maintain fairly stable prices while the economy grows at a healthy rate.
This means inflation must be stopped--for the good of the farmer and every
other American. This is why Congress must approve the spending cut-tax increase
package which will come up for a vote early next month. We must put a damper on
the federal spending explosion we have been witnessing over the last several
years--the spending spiral which lit the inflation skyrocket and sent prices
soaring.
I don't like a tax increase any more than anyone else. But if we don't
put our fiscal house in order, we will be inviting a boom-and-bust type of
recession.
I'm insisting on a $6 billion spending reduction and a ceiling on future
expenditures. If Congress doesn't draw the line, the revenue from the tax increase
will become the vehicle for even greater spending.
If we slow down inflation, it will help the farmer as well as everyone else.
In the area of farm legislation, Congress should determine what programs
are working and which programs aren't and act accordingly.
What the farmer needs is 100 per cent opportunity for higher income. And
more of the same is not the way to provide the farmer with that opportunity.
The House Agriculture Committee recently voted out a bill extending the
present basic commodities farm program--the Agricultural Act of 1965--for one year.
I'm not at all heppy about it.
The Food and Agriculture Act of 1965 has not worked well. When the Act
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became effective, the farm parity ratio stood at 81. Since then it has dropped
steadily to an abysmally low 73. Even the adjusted parity ratio--which includes
direct payments to farmers--has dropped to 79 after reaching 87 in January 1966.
The Act of 1965 has failed to expand domestic markets and has failed to
expand exports.
What sense does it make to keep unchanged a farm law that is costing the
taxpayers roughly $3 billion a year when the benefits to farmers are clearly
inadequate?
We have just got to do better.
Repair jobs on old programs may help--because certainly we can profit from
experience.
Farm market bargaining power offers considerable promise. For that reason I
was happy to support legislation enacted by the Congress this year giving farmers
the right to join marketing or bargaining associations without fear of discrimination
or economic retaliation.
Farm bargaining power holds promise when farmers get together and form
marketing associations, as you Farm Bureau members here in Michigan have done.
I want to compliment you for your efforts in this direction.
I think there is real hope we will find ways to cut farm production costs
and to improve farm prices through new forms of market organization and better
coordination of supply.
An extension of Public Law 480--which President Eisenhower and the Farm
Bureau initiated as the Food for Peace Program--now is moving through the Congress.
I believe this program will produce even greater dividends for the farmer than in
the past--particularly if it is made to operate as a more positive influence on
domestic farm prices.
We must also continue to promote agricultural research and education,
provide ample agricultural credit, and continue our soil, water, and forestry
conservation and service programs.
There is much talk about the problems of the cities--and those problems are
indeed grave. But unless we find a way to pay fair prices for the production of
food, we will see agriculture develop into a corporate conglomeration that will
dump thousands of rural people into the cities and aggravate the problems there.
We must revitalize our rural economy. And we can rebuild our rural
communities only through national policies that will assure a fair return to the
people who produce our food and fiber.
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You have honored me here tonight. But I feel it is you--the farmers of this
country--who most deserve the accolades of other Americans. Not alone for the
tremendous strides you have made in efficiency of production and your great
contribution in feeding the world, but because you are setting an example of good
citizenship for all America.
I have just learned of a survey by the Gallup Poll people which shows that
of all the occupational groups in the country, farmers far outrank all others in
percentage of those registered to vote. The survey showed farmers in the 21 to 29
age group with an 83 per cent rating on voter registration, as compared with only
57 per cent for the next highest occupational group.
I commend America's farmers for their interest in good government and urge
that all other Americans imitate your willingness to be involved in the democratic
process. That is the best guaranteee this Nation has for achieving government
which is truly representative of the people.
With the people showing that kind of concern, I would have no fear for
America's future. I would feel certain that we can gain new confidence, restore
law and order, and usher in a new era of equal justice and equal opportunity for
the farm people of this country and for all Americans.
Again, thank you so much.
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