Farmers Need a Strong Ally in Washington
More than ever, farmers need a strong ally in Washington. The soaring price of gas - which has nearly tripled since Congressman Sam Graves was sworn into office in 2001 - has hurt farmers more than almost anyone. The price of diesel fuel and fertilizer are at record highs, making it more difficult for farmers, especially our family farmers, to make a living.
We need to get serious about our energy policy. The first thing we must do is to stop playing politics with the Production Tax Credit. The PTC is essential for the growth of our renewable energy sources here in Missouri, which help decrease our dependence on foreign oil and benefit the economy.
The Production Tax Credit is set to expire in less than six months. Congressman Sam Graves can make all the excuses in the world, but the bottom line is that he has voted against extending it no less than five times in the past year. All this after he's supported giving tens of billions in generous tax subsidies to big oil companies. Is it any wonder that Graves is one of Exxon's top recipients of campaign contributions?
Graves' vote against the interests of his own District is just another example of how oil companies and other special interests have a stranglehold on Washington. It is unacceptable that our family farmers have a Congressman who supports more tax giveaways for oil companies and opposes incentives for wind, a technology which can do so much for Northwest Missouri.
We all know that oil companies are directly increasing the costs of production farming. We need someone in Washington who will stand up to them.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
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