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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — NOVEMBER 13/NOVEMBER 20, 2020
Kumbaya
418 South Second St. P.O. Box 3287 Mankato, MN 56002 (800) 657-4665 Vol. XLIV ❖ No. 23 32 pages, 1 section plus supplements
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Cover photo by Paul Malchow
COLUMNS Opinion Farm and Food File Table Talk Cooking With Kristin From The Fields Green & Growing Swine & U Marketing Mielke Market Weekly Auctions/Classifieds Advertiser Listing Back Roads
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STAFF
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Although it seems U.S. President But an even bigger concern is the ecoDonald J. Trump is prepared to sulk his nomic pandemic which has yet to gain way to next year’s inauguration, voters full strength. Trillions of government dolhave selected Joe Biden as their next lars have already been spent in an effort president. Social distancing fell by the to keep the boat afloat. (An interesting wayside as Biden supporters danced in angle on Socialism, but I’m not going the streets and a sizeable throng gaththere today.) Add this government aid to ered in Wilmington, Del. to hear Biden an already-disturbing national debt. and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Throw in the millions of out-of-work taxspeak. Perhaps euphoria is the anti-Covpayers and businesses who aren’t paying LAND MINDS id element we’ve been searching for these taxes right now — and probably won’t be last eight months. for some time to come. Health care By Paul Malchow reform, global warming and immigraBiden ran his “I’m not Donald tion are all good issues, but I haven’t Trump” campaign hard, steady and heard any “plans” as to where the dolunwavering. Reassurances to the votlars are coming from. Making the wealthy pay their ing public he has “a plan” to deal with (fill in the “fair share” (whatever that might be) sounds good blank) seemed to be good enough to win votes on the campaign trail, but leaves a lot to the imagibecause … well, Biden is not Donald Trump. nation when putting it in practice. The Covid-19 epidemic showcased the ideological n expanse between the two candidates and proved to be Biden’s best ally. The pandemic allowed Biden to One last thought on the election results (at least limit public appearances which was beneficial on for today): Collin Peterson was unceremoniously two fronts. shown the door by Congressional District 7 voters. Ever the diplomat, Peterson said voters were lookFirst, it controlled the campaign message — ing for a change and he would abide by their wishremoving any spontaneity and political gaffs Biden es. But Peterson was an agriculture force to be reckhas earned a reputation for during his time of public service. There were no heated exchanges between oned with on Capitol Hill. Farmers within and outBiden and supporters/dissenters. Even the presiden- side of Peterson’s district might find out the hard tial debates were designed to stay on topic. The fact way what his absence entails. that Trump was such a buffoon during the debates I heard today Peterson could be in line to take just greased the wheels of Biden’s strategy. over the USDA from Sonny Perdue. Perhaps at 76 years of age, the position might be a good repose for Second, Biden did not have to endure the normal rigors of a presidential campaign. Covid-19 allowed Peterson from the rigors of Congress. Biden a more relaxed schedule which kept him The Land’s venerable Dick Hagen shared a few of mentally and physically rested. Even as such, at his thoughts on Congress in general and I want to times Biden looked and moved very much like a pass them along. 77-year-old man; but it was much easier to hide. As the ruminations of election day continue to In the late stages of the campaign and during his rumble and we collectively perhaps wonder even Wilmington acceptance speech, Biden wasted little more ‘What now America’, Dick writes, my rumtime placing the success of his presidency at our blings include these from Trump Rule’s feet. It is up to us to bury the hatchet, set aside our Congressional Reform Act: differences and work together — not as Democrats No tenure, No pension. A Congressman/Woman or Republicans, but as “Americans.” The fact that collects salary while in office and receives no pay this philosophy is nowhere to be found in our when they’re out of office. nation’s capital seems to be beside the point. Biden Congressman/Woman (past, present and future) has “a plan” and it is up to us as loyal Americans to participate in Social Security. All funds in the support it. Congressional Retirement Fund move to Social The major fly in Biden’s ointment is the 71 million Security immediately. All future funds low into the Americans who voted for Donald Trump. This is not Social Security System and Congress participates exactly a mandate for Biden’s “plans.” I suspect pas- with the American people. It may not be used for sions will have cooled a bit by Jan. 20, 2021, but any other purpose. there are more elephants in the room than a game Congress much purchase their own retirement farm in Tanzania. plan, just as all Americans do. Of course, foremost on everyone’s list is Covid-19. Congress will no longer vote themselves pay On Nov. 9 the morning newscasts were breathlessly hailing the possibility of a vaccine. Military leaders increases. Congressional pay will rise by the lower CPI or 3 percent. have assured a distribution system is in place, but so many questions remain as to number of doses Congress’s current Healthcare System is terminatneeded, who gets first dibs and what about the peo- ed, and they participate in the same Healthcare ple who wouldn’t get vaccinated for anything anySystem as the American people. where at any time over their dead bodies? See LAND MINDS, pg. 7
OPINION
