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On The Road
Rural America it’s people and communities have long been forgotten by both political parties. Even the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that was given the assignment by Congress in 1972 to coordinate rural programs across the federal government has forgotten its duty. Rural development has always taken a back seat to production agriculture in both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Let’s hope this is about to come to an end. Not only did Vice President Harris name a rural American as her running mate…Governor Tim Walz…they kicked of their campaign on a bus tour of rural Georgia. By traveling the backroads this will give them a unique perception of life in rural America. Are the rural needs different from urban ones?
Is there broadband, a warning system for disasters, safe roads & bridges? Access to medical care, telemedicine, are EMS volunteers trained & equipped. Is technical assistance available to seek grants?
Secretaries of Agriculture put most of their time and resources into growing crops and cows. It must be understood that the Secretary is to also focus on rural people and places. This needs to be addressed right up front when Harris-Walz puts their Secretary of Agriculture to work. The needs of not only farmers but their neighbors’ requires their attention.
The Harris-Walz administration must revisit The Rural Development Act of 1972 and its successor. Set a new course that brings along those now left behind in Rural America.
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Inaugural Tidbits & Politics
WV Gubernatorial history yesterday…and in the making…now Governor Earl Ray Tomblin…in his inaugural address…stayed with his campaign message...the 2012 primary election filing only 57 days away…potential opponents were in the audience…but no signs of a campaign. At...
Election 2012
In case you are not one of phillipsbillboard readers following the presidential campaign, you may find The Washington Post articles below a good update. The election is only 364 days but seems in full swing. A year from Election 2012, a dark mood awaits Obama and...
Manchin Front Page of WSJ
WV Senator Joe Manchin takes front page of today’s Wall Street Journal. The article entitled “Wayward Senate Democrats Keep Distance From Obama.” Read the full story here.
Obama Challenger?
Obama Challenger? It is amazing to me that no one in the Democratic Party is challenging Obama. There must be some capable folks out there who believe they could do a better job. When Lyndon Johnson was on the ropes in 1968, Senator Eugene McCarthy took him on, won...
Political Tidbits…10.11.11
POSTMORTEM - week later. 7 lessons from Tomblin’s victory featured in POLITICOS post election coverage…it is interesting…if you want to read click here…otherwise there have been a lot of thoughtful coverage in the State’s media. Best post election line appeared in...
The Morning After
The special election for Governor is in the history books. Let’s be clear this was not a victory for President Obama or Obamacare. “Stay the course” was the winner. As we look back Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin chose the right course when he became acting...
Finance Reports Here…Election Underway
Candidates for governor have filed their last finance report until after the special election. Early voting started this week. The reports filed today cover expenditures from August 22 until September 18. To see where Republican Bill Maloney has gotten his money...
Political Tidbits…What Happen Last Night?
Party faithful last night honored Lincoln & Reagan…and cheered on GOP gubernatorial candidate Maloney…Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was brought in…for the Gala…to push Maloney’s election….beat up on EPA spoke before dinner and departed. FIERY speaker of the...
Governor’s Race Starts
Well it finally started. The results are in from a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling (PPP) in North Carolina. The Governor’s race will be getting more attention, more activity and more enthusiasm to activate the party faithful. What the candidates need is...
Labor Day…Political Tidbits
Labor Day…a traditional start of political campaigns…something better start this special election for Governor…or no one is going to vote…there is no enthusiasm about this election…it appears even party activists are quiet. WHAT IS GOING ON…State Republican Committee...
Political Tidbits…8.28.11
38 days and voters are counting when they will be free from another political campaign…all the while candidates for Governor are counting the money…financial reports were to be filed Friday…not yet posted on SOS website…appears Tomblin’s funds have come from...
Obama Supporter Writes
Obama and the ‘Competency Crisis’ By Mortimer Zuckerman (The Wall Street Journal) The rising impatience with the leadership of President Obama was epitomized on August 8 in the middle of one of the now habitual Wall Street roller coasters. This speech on the economy...
BILLBOARD Archives
Political Tidbits…
448 DAYS until the presidential election…49 DAYS BEFORE West Virginia’s gubernatorial election…with more activity, enthusiasm and interest in the presidential race…maybe the WV campaigns have decided to stay under the radar…save their money and fight another day…as...
Department of What?
President Obama is thinking of creating a Department of Jobs which would merge the Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative and some economic divisions at the State Department. Of course he will market this as a commitment to job...
Obama & Boehner Fact Sheets
If you want to see what Washington is reading this morning about the debt deal. 4 page White House fact sheets, “Bipartisan Debt Deal: A Win for the Economy and Budget Discipline,” including the “Mechanics of the Debt Deal”. Click here to read. PDF Version. 7...
Where is Obama’s Challenger?
It’s hard to believe this guy does not have a challenger in his party. Remember when Senator Eugene McCarthy challenged LBJ or when Senator Ted Kennedy took on President Jimmy Carter? They’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling By Peggy Noonan (The Wall Street Journal) Is it...
Conservatives Scold Tea Party
The political aspect of the ongoing debt debate in Washington has huge consequences for the Republican Party and its 2012 nominee. The piece below offers the views of prominent conservative writers. Scold Your Own By Peter Catapano (NYT Opinionator) Well, something...
Morning After Reading
Baby Talk By William Kristol (The Weekly Standard.com) I was struck by these sentences in President Obama’s speech. Read the full story here. Congress In the Lead By David Brooks (The New York Times) Some of us like to think big. We thought at the beginning of this...
Inside Look at Boehner’s Call
A Capitol Hill newsletter, The Hill provides an inside look at Boehner’s call this afternoon. Boehner aims to have proposal Monday; Reid, Pelosi meet Obama By Molly K. Hooper, Russell Berman and Sam Youngman On a Sunday afternoon conference call with House...
BREAKING…Republicans Vote
Republican and Independent voters will have a voice in who represents them at the national Republican convention in 2012. State Executive Committee members decided to select delegates at the May primary 2012. Leaders from across the state voted unanimously not...
GOP Convention Debate
Convention vs. Primary West Virginia state code provides for political parties to determine how delegates to their national conventions will be selected. Republicans will make a decision this Saturday at a State Executive Committee meeting. Yes, I am for a primary....
Summer Tidbits…GOP Convention Rules
SUMMERTIME and the living is easy…but not for Bill Maloney the GOP candidate for Governor…he seems to be everywhere…parades, civic clubs, Republican events, interviews…and even a graduation speech in Nicholas County…and the work goes on. Draft Convention Rules for...
Cantor vs. Obama or Obama vs. Cantor?
Here is a little something for your evening reading. I remember working on Capitol Hill during Watergate…bet it is worst tonight. What Happen Between Cantor and Obama? By Michael D. Shear (The Caucus, New York Times Something happened between President Obama and...
Debt & Political Update
After an early morning reading of the debt news…or shall I say political news I have pulled together various pieces you may not have seen. This should give readers of phillipsbillboard a quick update. As all know there is much at stake here. Debt talks blow up By...