From Washington with John Block

We read and hear about a $3.5 trillion anti-poverty and climate bill the Democratic leadership wants to pass. But we can’t afford to spend that much money. They say, “no problem. We can just tax the rich.” [READ MORE…]

We have had a lot of hot days this summer. Heat can be even worse when it is accompanied by drought. Look at California – 95% of that state is in severe drought. Even here in the Midwest, North Dakota has 93% of the state under severe drought. [READ MORE…]

The U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling that gives California the right to deny the sale of pork, veal, and other farm products in California unless producers comply with that state’s confinement standards. I thought we had free trade between states. [READ MORE…]

Last week President Biden signed a broad Executive Order designed to ensure that we have more competitive markets. We have too many huge corporations. They keep buying up their competitors and just get bigger. Smaller companies compete at a disadvantage. Biden says, “Capitalism without competition isn’t capitalism. It’s exploitation.” Antitrust enforcement has been a priority of the President’s agenda. The use of Executive Orders to get something done is not new. For 20 years our presidents – both parties – have used Executive Orders. President Trump was criticized for making too many Executive Orders. [READ MORE…]

The cost of living keeps going up. Food costs 5% more, but what about fuel? I was on the farm in Illinois this past weekend. We rented a car in Chicago and had to pay well over $4 per gallon. It’s not quite that expensive in Washington, DC. In the farm country, it cost $3.25 per gallon. It is likely to keep going up. OPEC, made up of big oil-producing nations, in a surprise move just decided not to increase production. Energy costs on our farms have already exploded. There is more to come. [READ MORE…]

It is exciting to see our planting season go smoothly so far. Our corn and soybeans are three-fourths planted and starting to come up. That is something that we can control, but the federal government is a different story. President Biden has announced that he wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the year 2030. And Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says, “biofuels are a key piece of the plan.” Thank you, Mr. Secretary. [READ MORE…]

It is exciting to see our planting season go smoothly so far. Our corn and soybeans are three-fourths planted and starting to come up. That is something that we can control, but the federal government is a different story. President Biden has announced that he wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the year 2030. And Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says, “biofuels are a key piece of the plan.” Thank you, Mr. Secretary. [READ MORE…]

Joe Biden will face a long and difficult list of challenges. Topping the list will be the Coronavirus and a $1.9 trillion stimulus to lift our economy. That huge spending bill has not passed the Congress yet. Probably will be changed some. [READ MORE…]

I am so tired of these “peaceful” rallies that end up destroying property, looting, and burning flags and signs.  We had a dozen of our large cities face this last summer and fall, but by far the worst is the assault on our own Capitol last week.  Both parties need to stand up and say “enough is enough”.  This is not the USA that I know.  Just blaming President Trump will not solve the problem. [READ MORE…]