Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Sky's the Limit...or Not.

When did $250,000 become the official benchmark for being considered wealthy? I only ask because, according to a certain Congressional group, an income of $250,000 and higher immediately disqualifies one for any and all financial breaks. The current Congress, in an attempt to stand the ground rapidly crumbling beneath them, is dragging their feet to pass Obama’s new deal with Republicans to extend the Bush tax cuts for all income levels. They insist that those making $250,000 are somehow undeserving of the right to keep their money.

It would seem to me that punishing those who’ve achieved wealth and prosperity would discourage others from attempting to achieve the same. And what a glorious message that sends to kids. “You can achieve anything you want in life…as long as it doesn’t exceed $250,000.” Yeah, try telling a 12-year-old that and watch the confusion spread across their face. It sounds ridiculous but it’s true. Why should anyone aspire to great things if their hard work is to be taxed down to nothing? Not much incentive there.

Come on guys, I know most of us are struggling in a down economy, but punishing those who’ve done well in life is not the way to go. Images of Enron and Fannie Mae are easily mustered when we begin to speak about tax breaks for the wealthy, but let’s remember that not all of the rich and affluent have become so through dishonest means. Let’s also not forget that taxing the citizenry is not the only way for the government to generate income. It’s just the most abused and uncreative. Congress needs to wake up, think outside the box, and realize that people can and will only take so much. I just wonder where the threshold of “so much” lies exactly. Apparently beyond $250,000 for now.

Grace Boatright
National Grange Program Assistant

Friday, March 19, 2010

The National Grange Commends the FCC for Providing Broadband Coverage for Rural Areas

The National Grange Commends the FCC for  Providing Broadband Coverage for Rural Areas

 (Washington, DC-March 16, 2010) - The National Grange commends the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on their release of the National Broadband Plan. The Grange hopes that this plan will become the basis for a comprehensive public/private partnership that will finally assure that the benefits of broadband technology are available to every home, farm and small business in America, regardless of geographic location.

It is evident from the FCC’s recent study on broadband adoption, that rural America still lags behind urban and suburban communities in home, farm and small business broadband connections. Of non-adopters in rural areas, one in ten say they cannot get broadband where they live – more than double the national average. Rural Americans stand to benefit from online applications like telemedicine, distance learning and telework. The entire nation stands to gain from the economic and environmental benefits that integrating national, high-speed internet with farming, tribal and rural communities will bring. It is time for all Americans to have access to these life-changing opportunities, and the National Grange hopes that the National Broadband Plan will make this possible.

The National Grange thanks President Obama and Congress for their efforts to ensure that all Americans will, some day, live in a fully digitized, connected society, regardless of their geographic location. We also appreciate the FCC’s recognition of the importance that private sector investment must play when developing the National Broadband Plan. Such investment will be necessary to bring broadband to every corner of the country. The National Grange looks forward to working together with both the public and private sectors to make sure that the ambitious goals outlined in the Plan become a reality.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

National Grange President Visits Tennessee to Address National Issues

National Grange President Visits Tennessee to Address National Issues

(Knoxville, TN, March 7, 2010) – At a Sunday news conference National Grange President Ed Luttrell scolded the Federal Government on its approach to broadband deployment in rural America. He described a recent Grange letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski expressing deep concerns that the Commission’s policy focus is shifting from developing a National Broadband Plan encouraging universal deployment and adoption of broadband services to underserved rural, farming, and tribal communities, to a policy focused on regulating broadband network management practices. Luttrell stressed that the Grange believes deployment of broadband across the country and especially in rural America should be the Federal Government’s number one communications priority. He stated that the Commission should not be burdening “technology that it has little first had knowledge using” with unnecessary management regulations.

In November 2009 Luttrell of Sandy, Oregon was elected to his second two-year term as National Grange President. He has made rural access to affordable, reliable and competitive telecommunications technologies a priority of his administration. “Rural America needs and deserves the same access to new telecommunications technology as our urban neighbors. The Grange believes national, state, and locals laws that govern these technologies should remove the regulatory uncertainty that has deterred advanced telecommunications investment in rural America,” he stated

The event, held at the Volunteer Grange Hall, 1038 Tipton Station Road in Knoxville, was overseen by Tennessee State Grange President Judy Sherrod, a 44 year Grange member. Sherrod also holds the office of National Lecturer and was voted Tennessee “Granger of the Year” in 1996.
Founded in 1867, the Grange is the nation’s oldest rural advocacy organization.

With over 200,000 members, it is active in Washington, DC as well as in the capitols of 40 states across the country. Under the Grange system, the setting of legislative priorities for the coming year starts at the local level, moves up to the state level and is finalized at the annual national convention held every November. The top national priorities are published in the Grange’s annual Blueprint for Rural America.

National Grange President Visits South Carolina to Address National and Local Issues

National Grange President Visits South Carolina to Address National and Local Issues

South Carolina State Grange President Calls for Phone Regulations

(Batesburg-Leesville, SC, March 6, 2010) – National Grange President Ed Luttrell and South Carolina State Grange President John Hammett, Sr. spoke on national and local issues during a press conference held Saturday at Shealy’s Barbeque House in Batesburg-Leesville.

Leading off, National President Luttrell described a Grange letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski expressing deep concerns that the Commission’s policy focus is shifting from developing a national broadband plan encouraging universal deployment and adoption of broadband services to underserved rural, farming, and tribal communities, to a policy focused on regulating broadband network management practices. Luttrell stressed that the Grange believes deployment of broadband across the country, and especially in rural America, should be the Federal Government’s number one priority. He stated that the Commission should not be burdening “technology that it has little first had knowledge using” with unnecessary management regulations.

In November 2009 Luttrell of Sandy, Oregon was elected to his second two-year term as National Grange President. He has made rural access to affordable, reliable and competitive telecommunications technologies a priority of his administration. “Rural America needs, and deserves, the same access to new telecommunications technology that has been afforded to our urban neighbors. The Grange believes national, state, and locals laws that govern these technologies should remove the regulatory uncertainty that has deterred advanced telecommunications investment in rural America,” he stated.

Moving on to issues closer to home, South Carolina State President Hammett called for state legislation prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving. He pointed out that the National Safety Council estimates that at least 1.6 million car accidents per year, 28% of all yearly car accidents, are caused by drivers talking on cell phones. Such behavior is especially dangerous in rural America, which accounts for 65% of fatal accidents, most occurring on rural, two-lane highways. “At least seven states and the District of Colombia have laws banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. It is time for South Carolina to get on board and prohibit the use of cell phones as well,” Hammett declared.

Founded in 1867, the Grange is the nation’s oldest rural advocacy organization. With over 200,000 members, it is active in Washington, DC as well as in the capitols of 40 states across the country. Under the Grange system, the setting of legislative priorities for the coming year starts at the local level, moves up to the state level, and is finalized at the annual national convention held every November. The top national priorities are published in the Grange’s annual Blueprint for Rural America.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

National Grange President Visits Texas to Address National and Local Issues

National Grange President Visits Texas to Address National and Local Issues

State Grange Leader Calls Texas a Leader in Protecting Property Rights

(Elmendorf, TX, February 1, 2009) – National Grange President Ed Luttrell and Texas State Grange President Jack Smithers spoke today on national communications policy and individual property rights during a press conference held at the Davy Crockett Grange in Elmendorf.

Leading off, National President Luttrell described a recent Grange letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski expressing deep concerns that the Commission’s policy focus is shifting from developing a National Broadband Plan encouraging universal deployment and adoption of broadband services to underserved rural, farming, and tribal communities, to a policy focused on regulating broadband network management practices. Luttrell stressed that the Grange believes deployment of broadband across the country and especially in rural America should be the Federal Government’s number one communications priority. He stated that the Commission should not be burdening “technology that it has little first hand knowledge using” with unnecessary management regulations.

Luttrell explained how, over its long history, the Grange has been a consistent champion of bringing the benefits of universal access to communications to all Americans. The 140 year old rural advocacy organization was instrumental in the Federal Government’s establishment of Rural Free Delivery mail, promoted universal rural telephone service and fought for commercial licensing of radio and television stations rather than direct government operation. “As new communications technologies evolve, the Grange will continue to represent rural America’s right to equal access,” Luttrell concluded.

Luttrell of Sandy, Oregon was elected in November 2009 to his second two-year term as National Grange President. He is a past president of the Oregon State Grange and has served on the boards of the Oregon Lands Coalition, Grange Mutual Insurance Company, and Timberland States Insurance Company.

“Texans value their land and their right to own it and live on it. That’s why this state was quick to pass legislation protecting individual property rights after the Supreme Court’s poorly reasoned decision in Connecticut,” declared Texas State Grange President Jack Smithers. In 2005 the Supreme Court ruled that the city of New London, Connecticut could take Suzette Kelo’s home as part of a redevelopment plan, because the economic growth would benefit the entire community. Kelo’s home was razed, the development plan failed with a faltering economy and the land sits vacant today. In response, Texas voters passed Proposition 11 by a margin of 81% to 19%. Proposition 11 specifically prohibits the taking of private property to give to another private entity for the purpose of economic development or enhanced tax revenue and requires a two-thirds vote of the Texas Legislature to approve taking by the State or the general public.

“Local and state officials do not have the wisdom nor the right to take private property based on their own economic forecasts, which may be influenced by developers. We have protected the Suzette Kelos of Texas and we will see to it that those who do have to give up their land for the public good are properly compensated,” Smithers assured the audience.

After twelve years as President of the Davy Crockett Grange, Smithers was elected state president in July 2008. He is a twenty year U.S. Army veteran. He and his wife Margaret have a son and a daughter and four grand children.

Luttrell concluded the press conference by relating the National Grange battle to protect its name and trademarks from corporations. The name “Grange” has many positive connotations thanks to what the Grange has done over the last 140 years. Companies large and small want to use the name to their own benefit and the Grange has had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years protecting the name. Now the Grange is seeking legislation similar to that protecting the Red Cross, Olympics, Smokey the Bear and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. “Such legislation would cease the diversion of National Grange funds that would be otherwise used in supporting community service activities at the local level,” Luttrell explained.

Founded in 1867, the Grange is the nation’s oldest rural advocacy organization. With over 200,000 members, it is active in Washington, DC as well as in the capitols of 40 states across the country. Under the Grange system, the setting of legislative priorities for the coming year starts at the local level, moves up to the state level and is finalized at the annual national convention held every November. The top national priorities are published in the Grange’s annual Blueprint for Rural America, which is available at www.nationalgrange.org under “Legislation.”