Wednesday, July 6, 2011

New Obama “Executive Order” Puts 25 Federal Agencies in Charge of “Rural” America

One or two pundits mentioned during the “Weinergate” scandal in early June, that the scandal was just a distraction, and we needed to pay more attention to what Barack Obama was doing while we were looking the “other way.” They were right.

On June 9th, Barack Obama signed an executive order to create a “White House Rural Council.” What is it? Why does rural America suddenly need 25 federal agencies “coordinating” sustainability, resources and whatever?

You know the answer is: This is a power grab of America’s farmland and rural communities. This has huge impact, most of which we won’t see unless and until Obama is re-elected and then…….watch out. This is good reason to work overtime to make sure there is no second Obama term. Many links follow which give background and context to this EO.

Text of the White House Rural Council created by Exec. Order #13575

Section 1. describes the “purpose” for this Rural council, to which 25 federal agency department heads belong, including Treasury, EPA, Commerce and Homeland Security.

“Sixteen percent of the American population lives in rural counties. Strong, sustainable rural communities are essential to winning the future and ensuring American competitiveness in the years ahead. These communities supply our food, fiber, and energy, safeguard our natural resources, and are essential in the development of science and innovation. Though rural communities face numerous challenges, they also present enormous economic potential. The Federal Government has an important role to play in order to expand access to the capital necessary for economic growth, promote innovation, improve access to health care and education, and expand outdoor recreational activities on public lands.

To enhance the Federal Government’s efforts to address the needs of rural America, this order establishes a council to better coordinate Federal programs and maximize the impact of Federal investment to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in our rural communities".

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Why do we suddenly need 25 federal agencies overseeing America’s farmland? Why does the federal government have “an important role to play” in what farmers and rural communities do?

Combine this discussion above with the Army Corps of Engineers letters offering to buy farmland which went out [check the date below] at the EXACT same time as Obama signed the executive order.

Fox 4 WDAF TV- Kansas City MO:

“A letter from the US Army Corps of Engineers to landowners along the Missouri River has many in Missouri crying foul, but the Corps says the letters were just poorly timed.

On June 6, the Army Corp of Engineers sent letters to some landowners along the Missouri River, offering to buy their land. Some were and still are now underwater. Everyone from farmers to the Missouri Farm Bureau to even a Missouri senator are asking why now?

Senator Claire McCaskill, touring flood zones in St. Joseph Sunday, says she’s angry.

“When these farmers are underwater and struggling to figure out a way forward, they get a letter from the Corp wanting to buy their land,” she said. “It seems to me that’s kind of kicking a guy when he’s down.”

The Corp says letters like this go out at this time every year, but that the timing this year was coincidental.

The Corp says it has been acquiring land for 18 years, when Congress authorized a program that allows them to acquire and develop land for fish and wildlife habitat. It says in the future it will be more sensitive.

“If we’d had a little bit better communication internally between programs it wouldn’t have happened, but I think we got that fixed, it’s regretful and hopefully it won’t happen again,” Jud Kneuvean with the Army Corp said.

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst said, “Even if the letters are not tied to current flooding, there is no excuse for the poor timing.”

The Corp says landowners don’t even have to respond to the letter. It says its top priority right now is flooding and flood control.

There is so much information to go along with this I am simply going to link these very important articles that tie into this. Each article has many links.

Spread the word.

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