A day to think about farmers

A day to think about farmers
EDITOR:
American agriculture is responsible for providing the necessities of everyday life, from food and fiber to fuel and plastics. That is the message of Agriculture Day, which was Sunday, the first day of spring.
Mahoning County has 652 farms using 76,543 acres to produce products which play an essential role in maintaining a strong economy. One in seven Ohio jobs is related to the agriculture industry. Ohio agriculture contributes $79.6 billion to the economy, making it the number one industry in Ohio according to Ohio State University specialist, Tom Sporleder, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Agriculture has changed over the years, from oxen and horses drawing equipment down a field to tractors with on-board computers and the power of 300 horses. American farmers have increased their production capacity to keep up with the ever expanding population. One farmer now supplies food for approximately 144 people in the United States and abroad compared with 25.8 people in 1960.
The efficiency of American farmers pays off in the price American consumers pay for food as well. Research indicates most Americans worked 36 days this year to generate enough income to pay for their annual food supply. It takes nearly 129 days to generate enough money to pay for all of the taxes.
THOMAS KOCH, President
Mahoning County Farm Bureau
Rice waffles and loses
EDITOR:
Up until very recently, I had counted myself as a probable supporter of a Condoleezza Rice candidacy in 2008. She has been a staunch conservative in matters of national defense and shown herself to be more than qualified to adapt to new positions, such as secretary of state. Then she voiced her position on abortion.
She characterizes her position as & quot;mildly pro-choice. & quot; On most issues, this type of diplomatic position would be acceptable, if not necessarily commendable. On an issue that carries this much weight with regard to the soul of our nation, however, this is an astoundingly irresponsible position to take. & quot;Mildly pro-choice & quot; is like saying you think Adolph Hitler was an OK guy. Since the Supreme Court's lawless decision imposing infanticide on the whole of the nation, tens of millions of babies have been disposed of in the interest of convenience and immorality.
The Republican Party should take heed that they win every election where they nominate a real conservative, such as Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush, but they will always be outfoxed by the Democrats when they nominate a moderate, such as Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, or Bob Dole.
The public wants to vote for men like Bill Owens, Mike Huckabee, and Mitt Romney. They will not turn out in sufficient numbers for John McCain, Rudolph Giuliani, or, apparently, Condi Rice. Any Republican seeking elective office would be wise to consider their conservative credentials before deciding whether to run or not. The Democrats certainly will.
J. BREEN MITCHELL
Youngstown
Two peas in a pod
EDITOR:
Isn't it about time we all just admit that both the right wing of the Republican Party and the left wing of the Democratic Party are nothing more than annoying nuisances? Can't we just spin them off and let them form their own political party? I suggest Jerry Falwell for president and Michael Moore for vice president (or vice versa -- who cares?). An appropriate motto for the new party would be "Something to offend everyone." By the way, has anyone beside me notice the striking similarities between these two guys?
JOHN ZEDAKER
Poland