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Show February 1975 Utah Farm Bureau News Page 2 of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property. Madison continued that A republic. . . in which the scheme of representation is that democracies have ever been spectacles Republic not majority rule Our state legislators , weighing the many bills facing them through these early weeks of the year, often face issues that put their principles in direct conflict with the wishes of the majority of the voters in their districts. The recently defeated agency shop bill was such an issue, as is the equal rights amendment. Its easy to understand the dilemma legislators face at such times whether to vote with their principles and what they feel is right for their district and the state, or to vote the wishes of the majority of their constituents or along political party lines and improve their chances for reelection. For those who feel their elected representatives in the Senate and House should always vote with the majority opinion, it might pay to take a look at our American form of government and how we came to have it. When the fathers of this nation faced the decision, some 200 years ago, as to what type of government they should establish, feelings ran high between several forms. Rejecting a kingdom, with George Washington as King George, they looked at two other types, a democracy and a republic. e They meant by democracy a system where the majority always rules. By republic they meant a system of elected representatives who decide in a smaller body the laws for the entire society sometimes contrary to the majority opinion of their electors. After heated debate and fervent writing for the newspapers and magazines, those founding fathers adopted a republic. James Madison, writing in the Federalist papers, explained that with a democracy, There is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker (group) (that is a minority). . . Hence it one-ma- POLICIES ( Continued from page one-vot- n, 1) against nonfarm income. The delegates continued support for investment credit, the present law on capital gains treatment for sale of breeding livestock and for farmers having the option of filing income tax returns on either the cash or the accrual basis. The delegates recommended that the exemption from federal estate and gift taxes be increased substantially and that agricultural land should be appraised for federal estate tax purposes on the basis of use and productivity of the land at the time of appraisal instead of at its highest sale value. After considerable debate, the delegates eliminated a proposal to oppose fuel rationing and adopted coupon-typ- e a resolution to give the national Farm Bureau board authority to support energy conservation programs that will give agriculture adequate supplies at reasonable prices. If a mandatory fuel allocation program is used, it should be temporary only and agriculture should be given the highest priority, the delegates said. Congress was urged by the delegates to amend laws relating to air pollution and strip mining of coal to encourage maximum use of this energy source. The delegates supported steps being taken to allow development of oil supplies under the outer continental shelves of the United States. The government was urged to eliminate regulation of natural gas prices. Supporting increased research and development programs for energy, the delegates requested exploration of the potential for coal gasification, heavy oil from coal supplies, hydro, atomic, geothermal, oil shale, solar and wind sources of energy. Among other positions taken by delegates in resolutions adopted were: Support an identification program for livestock marketed for slaughter in order to trace the origin when the program is coupled with disease eradication and indemnification programs. Favor a classification system where different specific requirements would be applied to different kinds of livestock slaughtering operations. Recommend the federal government increase its share of the cost of the cooperative meat inspection programs from 50 to 80 percent. Require all federal and state agencies to adopt procedures whereby any proposed new or amended regulations that might in any way influence the availability or cost of food shall be accompanied by an economic impact statement. Recommend that the Delaney amendment to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act be modified to permit establishment of safe tolerances for additives and chemical residue in foods. Support expansion of agricultural exemption from Interstate Commerce Act to include farm equipment and supplies. Recommend that the funds for the food stamp program be transferred from the USDA budget to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare budget? takes place, opens a different prospect and promises the cure (for factions) for which we are seeking. The republic, he added, will refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it tp temporary or partial considerations. Federalist papers No. 9 and 10 contain a much more complete discussion of the values of our representative system as it was set up 200 years ago. The above excerpts from those writings, and especially a thorough reading of them, will help us as voters to be more tolerant of our legislators when they vote their principles whether we agree or not as compared to a party vote or an agreement with the majority of citizens in their district. Its more than just a farm group Every man owes a part of his time and money to the business or industry in which he is engaged, Teddy Roosevelt once said. No man has a moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere. Proof of Farm Bureaus contributions to the improvement of farming or ranching are numerous and impressive. They encompass such areas as: Work with Congress and state legislatures to secure laws that permit maximum freedom for a market-oriente- d agriculture and a nation that encourages free enterprise. Watchdog efforts to keep regulatory agencies from imposing restraints on a free agriculture by edict rather than through legislative action. Encouragement of crop and livestock improvement through research. Savings for farmers and ranchers through marketing and buying organizations. Participation in local affairs such as tax matters, school curriculum and textbook scrutiny, law enforcement, safety and other areas. Those farmers and ranchers who are reading this editorial are already Farm Bureau members. But their neighbors and friends may not be. In order to strengthen this organization and draw more support to its efforts to improve agricultural conditions, members are encouraged to heed Teddy Roosevelt's admonition and recruit new members who may then have a voice themselves in the policies and actions of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. When grocery money runs short, what do shoppers send back? When the price squeeze becomes tight, consumers show real know ledge of what important to buy. According to an article in Advertising Age when the register at the grocery store totals more than the shopper has, first items sent back are candy, gum, ice cream, cookies and convenience foods. such as books, toys, pet foods, health and beauty aids, polishes, waxes, leaf bags and air fresheners also go. King-siz- e anything is left befor soft drinks hind except and beer. Consumers realize that when the money isnt there, nutrition comes first . . . And regardless of how they feel they feel guilty about buying about prices, most Americans still regard meat as an essential source of nutrients. is Non-essentia- ls non-essenvia- FARMER :(TD RATHER CLIMB WAV. GOVT SSI At er - 1- $ GOVT EXPORT CONTROL 3 Second Class postage paid at Salt Lake City, Utah C. Booth Wallentine wood Shaffer THI$ "TARGET PRICE Published each month by the Utah Farm Bureau Federation at Salt Lake City, Utah. Editorial and Business Office, 629 East Fourth South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102. Subscription price of fifty cents per year to members is included in membership fee. subscription price: One dollar per year. UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION OFFICIALS Elmo W. Hamilton, Riverton Jerold N. Johnson UP 0 POSTMASTER: Please send Form 3S79 to Utah Farm Bureau, 629 East Fourth South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102. Non-memb- ls. d President Vice President Executive Vice President .Editor DIRECTORS: Frank Nishlguchi, Garland; William Holmes, Ogden; Jack Brown Grants-villEdward Boyer, Springville; John Lewis, Monticello; Stuart Johnson, Aurora; Kenneth R. Ashby, Delta; Mrs. Paul Turner, Morgan; Robert Johnson, Randolph. e; " GOVT COMMODITY RESERVES |