The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
Farmers in the Midwest have historically been ahead of the curve in advocating for economic security, electoral reform, health coverage and regulation of big business. A recent visit to Grand Forks, North Dakota was eye-opening. The unique state-owned flour mill there is the largest in the country. The mill and grain elevator protect North Dakota farmers from out-of-state rapacious middlemen. Moreover, it’s profitable and has overwhelming Republican support.
My friends, Doctors Charlie Christianson and Mary Wakefield (Ph.D.), experts in rural health care, took me to the flour mill and to meet a nearby retired family farm couple. We discussed how North Dakota once elected progressive Democrats: running good candidates who ran on economics not identity politics. The advocacy of the Nonpartisan League turned North Dakota into a laboratory of innovative progressive reforms. Similarly, Wisconsin Republican Governors Bob La Follette, James Davidson and Francis McGovern did the same. North Dakota and Wisconsin farmers had their backs. The past can be the future.
The current federal government shutdown revolves around economic security: extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care tax credits to buy affordable private health insurance. There are two ACA coverage building blocks: Medicaid expansion for the low-income and ACA private insurance primarily for the middle and working classes, with the kind of tax credits usually earmarked only for the wealthy. Lack of affordable health insurance means medical bankruptcy and declining health. Open enrollment begins November 1, renewal letters are being sent out. If the expiring tax credits aren’t extended out-of-pocket premium payments will soar 75 percent on average. The crisis is now, not down the road.
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“27 percent of farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers” are covered by ACA private health insurance (Kaiser Family Foundation). The others enrolled are small business owners, self-employed and workers not covered by their employers. Most receive the health tax credits. Moreover, “over 600,000 nonelderly veterans” would keep ACA private insurance coverage if the expiring ACA tax credits are extended (Urban Institute). Wisconsin rural hospitals will close because of GOP inaction, cuts and lack of adequate emergency funding.
In addition to losing affordable health coverage, farmers are also being crushed by Trump’s trade wars. Wisconsin soybean farmers, second-largest crop, have lost the China market because of retaliatory tariffs. China is buying soybeans from Argentina, while Trump plans a $20 billion bailout for Argentina’s troubled economy and wealthy U.S. hedge fund investors. This is mind-boggling as U.S. farmers are going bankrupt. Moreover, U.S. tariffs on imported fertilizer, aluminum-steel and machinery are only adding to farmers’ problems.
Farmers lost money over the last few years and hoped Trump and Republicans would help, not make it worse. If Democrats are smart they will listen to and collaborate with farmers to develop farming, economic and health policies for rural America. Wisconsin Democratic 3rd CD candidate Rebecca Cooke, who grew up on a dairy farm, is doing just that. She has widespread appeal in all corners of the 3rd CD.
Rural Wisconsin is central to building an effective governing coalition for economic security.
– Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.
