[PAA-Discuss] Obama Administration Takes from American Farmers, Gives to Israel

[Ron and Kris Graham]

After reading this article and knowing what you know about Barack Obama and
the fact that he obviously puts the interests of the terrorist state of
Israel BEFORE the interests of the people of the United States and also
given the fact that Barack Obama is a war criminal and an accomplice to and
enabler of the biggest taxpayer theft in the history of this country, give
me one good reason why the man should not be impeached, indicted and
prosecuted forthwith.

 

Kris

 

http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/10/obama-administration-takes-from-american-f
armers-gives-to-israel/

 


Obama Administration Takes from American Farmers, Gives to Israel


by Alison Weir / October 24th, 2009


Policy change slips in under the radar


At a time of financial crisis in the United States in which thousands of
Americans have lost their jobs and homes, an Israeli news service reports
that President Obama has just signed a presidential memo eliminating
<http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3792821,00.html>  a tariff
on Israel that protected American dairy farmers and that raised money for
the American economy.

In addition, according to the Israeli report, US trade authorities have
ordered the return of $17,000 to an Israeli export agent for a levy paid for
butter produced by an Israeli company. The move comes at a time when
American dairy farmers have been facing what industry representatives call a
“crisis.” According to the National Milk Producers Federation website
<http://www.nmpf.org/milk_pricing/NMPF_actions> , “U.S. dairy producers have
been facing unprecedented losses over the past year due to low milk prices
and high input costs. The dire economic straits have forced many dairy
farmers to exit the industry, oftentimes having to sell their herds or
farms.”

According to the news report by Israeli wire service Ynet, the Obama memo,
which was signed several days ago, removed the import subcharge on dairy
products from Israel. The report noted that such levies are important for
protecting local production against competing imports, “which put the local
production at risk.” The levy is required from most countries that export
dairy products to the U.S. According to Ynet, Israeli agricultural attaché
Yaakov Poleg was able to convince the US that “the trade agreement between
Israel and the US prohibits placing taxes on exports from Israel.” However,
this tax was required under previous American administrations.

The Ynet report quotes Israeli export agent Dudu Buch, whose company is to
receive the $17, 000, as taking credit for obtaining this change in US
policy. Buch states: “My American colleague was under a lot of pressure and
almost gave up, saying that if the American system imposed a protection levy
it would last forever.” Buch goes on to say, “I told him that we Israelis
can think differently. I turned to the Agriculture Ministry’s representative
at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, and the matter was dealt with
quickly.” Israel’s attaché was particularly pleased that this change was
made through apresidential memo, rather than through normal channels,
stating “
 in light of the fact that Israel was removed from the list
through a presidential declaration, there is no fear that it will be placed
on us again in the future.”

According to Ynet, Israeli dairy exports to the US are “constantly on the
rise,” a situation that could hurt US dairy farmers. The Obama memo would
seem to hinder what the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) described in July as
a broad effort, which included the US Department of Agriculture, “to reverse
the current dairy crisis.” The DFA emphasized
<http://www.dfamilk.com/newsroom/pr/090731_support.htm> : “Every initiative
we can successfully implement to bolster milk prices makes a vital
difference to the dairy farmers who are fighting hard to maintain their
livelihoods.” Yesterday the organization mailed out a special cash payment
to dairy farmers around the country to help
<http://www.dfamilk.com/newsroom/pr/091006_payment.htm>  “bridge the gap” to
a full recovery, stating that it recognized “that our members have a long
road ahead as they heal from this difficult year. Our intent is that this
special cash payment will help these dedicated farmers hang on until
recovery is in full swing and positive cash flows return.”

No one at the US Department of Agriculture contacted for information about
this policy change had been aware that it had been implemented. Some
suggested that it might be related to a free trade agreement with Israel
signed in 1995, but had no information as to why an ongoing US policy had
been modified by presidential order.

Council for the National Interest President Eugene Bird objected to the
change: “Once again we see Israel receiving special treatment, at the cost
to Americans. Even American citizens who oppose protective tariffs want to
see a fair and equitable policy. Instead we have a policy change —
implemented without public input or debate — that benefits one of the
richest nations on earth, and a nation that consistently flouts US laws and
policies.” Israel is generally rated
<http://www.worldsalaries.org/total-personal-income.shtml>  as having the
17th wealthiest population in the world.

Bird also noted that Israel, in violation of US trade agreements, has been
blocking some American products entirely. “A serious look should be taken at
how Israel has prevented certain American products from being imported into
Israel,” Bird said, “for example orange juice.”

In addition, Bird pointed out that for decades Israeli policies have
prevented Palestinian exports, creating extreme financial hardship that has
escalated in recent years. Numerous Palestinian farmers have
<http://www.economist.com/world/middleeast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=
14660454>  lost their livelihoods, and unemployment and malnutrition are
being seen in Gaza at what the Red Cross has called “devastating
<http://www.counterpunch.org/roy10042006.html> ” levels.

Alison Weir is executive director of If Americans Knew. She can be reached
at: contact at ifamericansknew.org. Read other articles by
<http://dissidentvoice.org/author/AlisonWeir/>  Alison, or visit Alison's
website <http://www.ifamericansknew.org> .


One comment on this article so far ...


1.       Sheila Velazquez said on October 25th, 2009 at 7:09am #
<http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/10/obama-administration-takes-from-american-
farmers-gives-to-israel/#comment-57695> 

Alison,

Thanks for your thoughtful article. As a small farmer, I see friends failing
at a rapid rate. Dairy farmers who manage lands that have been in their
families for generations, and on which they now owe nothing, are unable to
pay their bills and property taxes. Farmers with children are unable to feed
them. They sell every drop of their precious commodity to generate income,
and yet they fall further behind year after year until they give up
entirely. Potential farmers study plant and animal sciences and then are
unable to afford the costs of startup. 

Every action by our government that undermines the security of these
families is another nail in their coffins. Cheap imported powdered milk adds
to the problem. The world spends proportionately more for their food than we
do, yet here, the people with the power, and who can afford whatever choices
that want, care little for the father and mother who are trying to feed
their children or the farmers that are giving their sweat and blood to put a
gallon of milk on their table. 

There is little in life that is really important. Having shelter and food
are at the top of the list. We will secure our food supply when we take ag
out of the hands of business and put it back in the hands of farmers, and
support them in their work, and when our government, at all levels, is made
up of grassroots nonpartisan leaders who truly care about the fate of the
American people. Some of them could even be farmers.

 

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