Opinion

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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Opinion 2-7 Farm and Food File 4 Table Talk 6 Cooking With Kristin 8 From The Fields 9 Green & Growing 10 Swine & U 16 Marketing 20-21 Mielke Market Weekly 22 Auctions/Classifieds 24-31 Advertiser Listing 31 Back Roads 32

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Kumbaya

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 gath- there 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-Covid element we’ve been searching for these LAND MINDS payers and businesses who aren’t paying taxes right now — and probably won’t be last eight months. By Paul Malchow for some time to come. Health care OPINION reform, global warming and immigration are all good issues, but I haven’t heard any “plans” as to where the dollars are coming from. Making the wealthy pay their “fair share” (whatever that might be) sounds good on the campaign trail, but leaves a lot to the imagination when putting it in practice. Biden ran his “I’m not Donald Trump” campaign hard, steady and unwavering. Reassurances to the voting public he has “a plan” to deal with (fill in the blank) seemed to be good enough to win votes because … well, Biden is not Donald Trump.

The Covid-19 epidemic showcased the ideological expanse between the two candidates and proved to n 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. First, it controlled the campaign message — removing any spontaneity and political gaffs Biden has earned a reputation for during his time of public service. There were no heated exchanges between Biden and supporters/dissenters. Even the presidential debates were designed to stay on topic. The fact Ever the diplomat, Peterson said voters were looking for a change and he would abide by their wishes. But Peterson was an agriculture force to be reckoned with on Capitol Hill. Farmers within and outside of Peterson’s district might find out the hard 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 Second, Biden did not have to endure the normal rigors of a presidential campaign. Covid-19 allowed years of age, the position might be a good repose for 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 or Republicans, but as “Americans.” The fact that this philosophy is nowhere to be found in our nation’s capital seems to be beside the point. Biden No tenure, No pension. A Congressman/Woman collects salary while in office and receives no pay when they’re out of office. has “a plan” and it is up to us as loyal Americans to Congressman/Woman (past, present and future) support it. participate in Social Security. All funds in the The major fly in Biden’s ointment is the 71 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump. This is not exactly a mandate for Biden’s “plans.” I suspect passions will have cooled a bit by Jan. 20, 2021, but there are more elephants in the room than a game Congressional Retirement Fund move to Social Security immediately. All future funds low into the Social Security System and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose. farm in Tanzania. Congress much purchase their own retirement

Of course, foremost on everyone’s list is Covid-19. plan, just as all Americans do. On Nov. 9 the morning newscasts were breathlessly Congress will no longer vote themselves pay hailing the possibility of a vaccine. Military leaders increases. Congressional pay will rise by the lower have assured a distribution system is in place, but CPI or 3 percent. 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 any- System as the American people. where at any time over their dead bodies? See LAND MINDS, pg. 7