In the current climate, the daily headlines never cease to amaze. Just when you thought some of our politicians might have begun to grow a backbone, or to show some evidence of moral principles, more head-shaking events occur.
Such was the case recently when the U.S. Senate failed to pass a resolution expressing opposition to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. This was not an attempt to impeach Trump. It was not an effort to censure him. It was very simple. Should we be surprised that neither Kansas senator voted for the resolution?
Sadly, the answer is no, and that goes right to the heart of this dilemma that our nation faces.
Likewise, reports are that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary, is suggesting that some vegetable seed oils, such as those made from soybeans or sunflowers, should be banned for health reasons. Products such as palm oil, which is not produced in the United States, would take their place. As with many of the pronouncements from the current administration, the statements are not grounded in scientific fact.
Where are the Republicans, especially those who represent farm states, when this sort of drivel is put forth in the public realm? Such proposals would drive another knife into the heart of the exports that are so important to Kansas farmers.
We have a group of Republicans who might best be described as milquetoast. One would think that, in a state where agriculture is such an important sector of the economy, our two senators would have at least shown some semblance of support for this tariff-related measure, and our entire delegation would have spoken out about Kennedy’s proposal, besides.
Dream on. They are scared of Trump. Who do these folks represent?
Here is the scenario that will play out. The tariffs supported by the Republicans will continue to hammer farmers, and many others, including all consumers. Anyone who doubts that that will happen would never have passed a basic test in economics. We will see a huge effect on Kansas agriculture, and then farmers will be asking for help to recover their losses. Look at the recent history of agriculture and politics. It is littered with all sorts of ad hoc disaster payments and subsidies for farmers.
Yes, farmers are price takers, not price makers, and the farm sector represents only about 0.8% of the American economy. Farmers are a tiny percentage of eligible voters.
How, on one hand, does one fail to oppose tariffs, but on the other hand think it is OK to ask all taxpayers to subsidize a small segment of the economy and population? This comment has nothing to do with whether farmers deserve the subsidies. Instead, it highlights, yet again, the irrationality of Trump’s chaos parade.
What would Elon Musk have to say? How, on the one hand, are slash-and-burn techniques being applied to so many facets of the government, while on the other, money may be handed out to “help” farmers harmed by the tariffs? By that logic, should consumers harmed by tariffs also receive checks from the government?
With all of the talk about slashing budgets, how can farmers expect to escape unscathed if Kennedy and his cronies succeed in their goal with respect to vegetable oils? How can any of this make sense?
They are but two examples of many, and as the saying goes, “we ain’t see nothing yet.”
