It was Republicans that destroyed the family farm.

They say this last week of the year is a good time to slow down, stop, and take stock of where we are today. One does it on several levels, the personal, the social, the political, the spiritual. 

"Dairy farming is dying. After 40 years, I’m done."

What an incredible article on so many levels! An eloquent description of our present economic system. Things ain't like they used to be, and the new system has been deliberate. Individuals and families in agriculture have been decimated. 

In my reading, the War on the Family Farm started with Earl Butz, Republican Secretary of Agriculture 1971-1976, appointed by NIxon, who famously declared, "Get big or get out!" He served on the boards of several agribusiness companies, and he pushed their interests.

It was under Republican Reagan in the 80's, the plight of the American farmer was dramatized in movies like "The River" and "Country." In 1985, Willie Nelson began the Farm Aid series of concerts, which continue to this day, to publicize the farmer's situation, because the news organizations would not.

Now this man informs us today's farm situation is even worse than ever. This situation was brought about by Big Business with a lot of help from Republican administrations, beginning with Butz working to overthrow New Deal Democratic policies that favored the family farmer. through to the Big Ag favoring policies of the Republican administration today.

The Republican governmental policies that have been instrumental in decimating the family farm must be stopped and reversed. The only party able to do that is the Democratic Party. FDR had huge support from farmers because he advocated policies that acknowledged their dignity and favored them over Big Business. If Democrats could get back to that vision they would make great inroads into those red areas we see on the political maps and turn them blue and do some good for those farmers.

Rural Voters Will Benefit From Democratic Values

The VDT had a front page article over the weekend titled, "The Great Divide: Election exposes rural, urban chasm". The question is, is Valdosta urban or rural? In the article, a Republican leader in Colquit County thinks his area has flourished under Republican rule. Here in Valdosta, Lowndes County, it was recently reported we are the ninth poorest city in the USA. That is not flourishing in my book. In fact, I find it the exact opposite. It's not like it just happened. Six years ago it was reported, "Valdosta 3rd Poorest City in US." I've lived here for nearly twenty years. There hasn't been much growth, let alone prosperity. It's about the same.

I don't want commissioners that are content with treading water. I think we should prosper. If we're not, we must be doing something wrong. If we not not prospering, why are we paying the Planning Commission a million dollars a year? Then somehow we can't afford a half million a year for Public Transportation that would help local businesses and employees thus being a stimulus to the local economy? Asking for a friend.

This year is a municipal election year. The mayor sets the agenda. We can either have a conservative mayor that has no vision for the future, but merely continues what has been going on, or someone willing to try some new things. Seeing as we a stuck in the mire, I think we should try some new things. We should not be content with being among the poorest cities in the US, but work on trying things that might help. The way we have been doing things has not worked. We need to change the leadership to do anything different that might help.

It's the local level government that affects you most directly, far more the the federal level. So it's important to pay attention to local issues. They're out there, but you have to look for them. A website called "On The LAKE Front" focuses on Lowndes County and is well worth checking out.

This blog and it's partner podcast is another resource for local issues.

The Very First Post of the Dosta Democrat

Dearest Fellow Democrats,

This is the inaugural post of the Dosta Democrat. This blog will be linked with a podcast called "Dosta Democrat." The podcast is the main attraction, and this blog will be supportive to it.

The blog is called Dosta Democrat, because I am a Democrat and I live in Valdosta, GA. I tell my friends we're the last stop when you're heading for Florida down I-75 before you hit the Florida line. I'm in deep red rural south Georgia. After fifteen years I'm still working to turn Valdosta and Lowndes County blue. We're getting there.

I've been very concerned with the local media. The radio stations are far right, and ultra far right. I'm talking about Black Crow Media and Scott James' station. There is no liberal media on the airwaves to compete.  And you know whenever you walk into an office that has a TV going, they're tuned to Fox, right?

Well, it's time for Democrats to fight back. I hope I can get this podcast out on a weekly basis. I hope to bring you the news from a Dosta centric position. That includes all the counties emanating from us. If this podcast hits a chord, I hope you will continue to tune in.

I am a Democrat because I firmly believe the Democratic philosophy is the best deal for the vast majority of the American, and Georgian, people. We have been held back by Republicans going on decades now. It's time to unleash the Georgia spirit. We can do so much better.

Tune in here for how we can make it so.

Thank you.