George Bush's stance on Rural America

Rural America: George W. Bush signed the 2002 Farm Bill in support of farm safety, American farm products being promoted abroad and more conservation funding.

He has provided a 4 billion dollar tax relief to farmers and he has signed Medicare Reform legislation that makes rural health care more affordable and accessible.

George W. Bush:

Description of the candidate's position: George W. Bush has many new policies that he believes are right for the rural America including the permanent repeal of the death tax, a new Medicare Bill that provides funding for hospitals, doctors in rural areas where reimbursement levels are far lower, a new Energy Bill that provides more money for renewable energy including ethanol and biodiesel and supporting trade agreements that help farmers have fair trade. Bush signed the 2002 Farm Bill in support of farm safety, America farm products being promoted abroad and more conservation funding.

Quotation from the candidate: "I believe farm policy should treat all farmers fairly. That's why I was proud to sign a good farm bill. We've opened up foreign markets for your products. We've increased funding for ethanol and biodiesel. Farm income is at an all-time high. I know that the Milk Income Lost Contract program is important to the dairy farmers here in Wisconsin. The milk program is set to expire next fall. I look forward to working with Congress to reauthorize the program, so Wisconsin dairy farmers and dairy farmers all across this country can count on the support they need." October 7, 2004, from the Bush website.

Assessment of the proposal:

Positive: The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has endorsed President George W. Bush and presented him with the "Friend of the Pork Producer" award for his commitment to agriculture. President Don Buhl said, "The President's proven track record in opening new and foreign markets for US pork, his dedication to working with producers and other industry leaders to better ensure the health of our swine heard and his tireless efforts to use reason and science in shaping environmental policies impacting agriculture have not gone unnoticed."

Negative: New Hampshire's Governor Jeanne Shaheen outlined the ways in which President Bush has gone about losing money for rural America by not funding the programs that he put into action. He has underfunded his own plans by nearly 20 million dollars by not providing for his school programs and cutting funding by almost 5 million dollars for clean water programs and other conservation programs.

Comparison: George Bush's plan calls for the continuence of what he has already been pursuing for Rural America including more money spent on an Energy Bill to provide more ethanol and biodiesel use along with the permanent repeal of the death tax. However, John Kerry has voted against the death tax 13 times. Kerry's plan calls for the decrease of middle-class taxes while both want better health care for the middle class.

Link to John Kerry's Rural America issue page