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Show Page 2 UTAH FARM BUREAU April, 1973 : NEWS f A Personal Responsibility Guest editorial by Harold B. Steele, president, Illinois Agricultural Association In the January, 1973 IAA Record. Thoughts of a County Farm Bureau board member revealed the following: "I think of Farm Bureau as an organization of farmers working for farmers -which is good. Sometimes, I feel it is becoming an organization working for farmers which may - , not be so good' As we reflect to the early days of Farm Bureau in Illinois, it was indeed an organization of farmers working for farmers, 'cause that's all there were. It was evident to farmers at that point in history of the need to work together in order to achieve improved production techniques, needed legislative measures, and then at a later date a broad scope of services. As society becomes more sophisticated, the wants and needs of membership maintained cadence to retain a competitive posture by securing the services of competent staff whose leadership role in management was guided by policy established by elected board members. That's the way functions are carried out yet today. There are obvious risks in this procedure - the same type of risks that are evident in our society of the republic form of government - "of the people, by the people, and for the people." If we, the people, don't exercise our rights AND responsibilities by our input of effort at home to -- establish and .maintain competence, integrity, and in the party of our choice, then the state and national parties follow-throug- h will, within, stumble and default. corn farmers, we know'that there must be a good root system in order to establish a strong, healthy stalk to produce plenty of broad, long, dark green leaves if there is to be a deep kerneled, heavy ear at harvest time. The "whole" system of that corn plant functions as a system, each part dependent upon Regulate The Regulators from the real As the other. One other point . . . We recognize that in order to attain optimum production, the environment under which the whole plant lives must be within ascribed tolerance for the best results. So it is with an organization or a government. We're lucky in these United States. The environment is as ideal as man has ever enjoyed in his freedom to attain either individually or goals collectively. self-inspir- ed - With these freedoms, as embodied in the Constitution, there are calculated risks. These risks are minimized if all of us carry out our own portion of responsibility. Just like the corn plant - the whole or system of government organization is "go" if each -- component part is functioning tactic to win battles is to draw attention away effort is When the stage is properly set, an all-ocontact. of points made and the surprised enemy goes down to defeat. What does the little child say when he gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar? I was just checking to see if the cookies were still there ! When a business cant repay a bank loan, what does the proprietor tell his banker? Im a poor businessman; I just dont know how to run a A military ut successful business. More likely, the story is high overhead, few customers, the weather has been bad, things will pick up in a week or two, labor is unsatisfactory, etc., and on go the excuses for sound business practices. What happens to the family that cant balance the budget? A regular practice is to blame the marriage. Interested neighbors, friends, and the church help with finances to save the marriage. Church leaders have encouraged families to keep out of debt Sound money management is a good foundation for living. Now, when government deficits get out of hand, what happens?. Is attention brought to bear on government spending? Do concerned citizens demand costly programs abated? Is blame placed where it should be? Attention is focused on results of overspending. Welfare benefits, social security, old age, medical and other expenditures are increased to compensate for deficit spending caused inflation, and this only serves to increase the inflationary condition. And finally, when Congress appears to be adverse to cutting enough to freeze conditions are imposed. Now stop spending deficits, wage-pric-e the heat is on the retailer, the wholesaler, the producer and even the consumer as though the fault was at their door. While each level of production defends production costs, government foresight and action are commended by consumers in efforts to stop inf lation. Regulations have become an increasing portion of the U.S. diet. Farmers and ranchers and a major sector of the economy have been inundated by regulations, prohibitioris and reports. Unless government as a worby regulation ceases soon and morality is thwhile virtue, little can be said or done to bring U.S. economy back on course. Theold saw, Eight hours pay for eight hours work, would be a good place to start. These many millions could be a substantial force in reducing government expenses and increasing the tax revenues. It is time to regulate the regulators and get on with the more establish justice, insure meaningful purpose of government: domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. ... within designed tolerances. How then, do we as individual participants know, or, in this modern day, how can we be expected to know these tolerances and specifications? It seems to me that the answer rests, in the opening statement -- "an organization of farmers working for farmers - which is good; rather than an organization working for farmers - which may not be so good." Inversely, "a -- government OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people." It's good to remind ourselves an best we not forget. Linda Lewis, Wendell Frost, Pearl Lewis and Ty Lewis listen during Ranchers Produce Marketing food is a task that involves about 40 percent of the employed population, according to reports. These workers may work at any phase, production, processing, transportation, research, retail, wholesale, equipment and one of many others. Producing the right quantity, maintaining quality of each commodity to satisfy the needs of young and old, rich and poor, white and black, is an enormous task. Wealth, employment and many other factors influence eating habits and determine the kind and amount of food. The interest consumers have in a particular commodity, in the quantity available, will determine the price. The ones with the money will "bid" the price up and prevail in the market. On the other hand, when the price is fixed and supply limited, price is of little consequence - who gets to the market while there is yet meat in the counter will get satisfaction. Customers arriving late will not get satisfaction until such time as a new supply becomes available. To be sure, food is a necessity. A camper can wait. Regardless of the economic implication, everyone should hope that farmers and ranchers will keep up production. San Juan county leadership meeting. from HISTORYS SCRAPBOOK ) PATES AND EVENTS FROM YESTERYEARS j Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford's Theatre in Washington, April 14, 1865. Vice President Andrew Johnson became President of the United States upon the death of Lincoln, April 15, 1865. Wilbur Wright, Airplane inventor, was born April 16, 1867. UTAH FARM BUREAU IHl NEWS Published each month by the Utah Farm Bureau Federation at Sak Lake Cjty, Utah. Editorial and Business Office, 629 East Fourth South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102. Subscription price of twenty-fiv- e cents per year to members is included in membership fee. ' Second Class postage paid at Salt Lake City, Utah UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION OFFICIALS Elmo W. Hamilton, Riverton Jay Child, Clearfield C. Booth Wallentine S. Neil D. Sumsion . President Vice President Executive Vice President Editor Kenneth Huntington, Jerald Jot Aurora, Kenne1hB Ashby, Si?9Vii'e' Delta, Mrs. Willis Whitbeck, Bennion, Stanley Ja |