National Future Farmer

By Hotvanl R. Carter
POLITICAL CONVENTIONS, political parties, and
political government often seem confusing. Sometimes
this results in a feeling that politics is all bad. This, of
course, isn't true. Politics is like medicine, education,
farming, religion, and many other fields. The objectives
arc all good and only the people in the fields differ in
their abilities, their qualifications, and their beliefs.
For this reason, in the United States, one of the first re-
sponsibilities of a citizen is to inform himself on the political
structure of a democracy. Since ours is a constitutional government,
your studies of the Constitution should receive
careful attention.
One of the great dangers in a democracy is voter indifference.
When large numbers of voters fail to turn out and
express their preference, organized minorities can win elec-
tions. Every qualified voter has an obligation to study the
candidates and the campaign issues and make a choice.
Perhaps you will hear it said that one candidate is just as
good (or as bad) as another. This negative attitude should
m
Candidate
Richard M. Nixon
Boni ill Californid. dUviided ele-
nieiilary and sccoiidaiy schools in
Whitlier. California. Graduated
from home town Whittier College
and from Duke Universiry Law
School. Practiced law in Whitlier,
worked for the government in
Washington, served in the Pacific
during World War II as a naval
officer. Elected to the U. S. House
of Representatives in 1946. serving
until his election to the U. S.
Senate in 1950. Now 46 years old
having served the past eight years
as the 37th Vice-President.
HOW WOULCJ
A practice session for yc,
(Editor's Note—We realize that most Future Farmers will not vote
your right, your privile
in this year's elections. However, you perhaps have a greater stake
than anyone in the future. To best serve yourself and your country
in the role of citizen and agricultural leader of tomorrow, you
need to keep informed on the events that are shaping the world of
your future.)
be avoided. Such a statement is usually the mark of those
who are not informed.
You may ask yourself, "What good will my one vote do?'
The power of one vote has been proven over and over in
our country's history. Thomas Jetferson was elected president
by one vote in the electoral college. So was John
Ouincy Adams and Rutherford B. Hayes. The election
of President Hayes was contested and referred to an electoral
commission. Again he won by a single vote. The man
who cast that deciding vote was a congressman from In-
diana, a lawyer who had been elected to office himself by
a single vote. That one vote had been cast by one of the
lawyer's clients who. though desperately ill, had insisted on
being carried to the polls to cast his one vote.
The power of one vote gave statehood to California,
Idaho. Oregon, Texas and Washington . . . and todav all
the people in those five states are Americans bv just one vote.
Your vote is important.
Two leading parties have emerged to dominate the politi-
REPUBLICAN FARM PLATFORM
Develop new program to improve
and stabilize farm -family income.
Recognizing two main challenges:
the Immediate one of using incomedepressing
surpluses, and the longrange
challenge of steady growth
and developnnent with a minimum
of federal Interference and control.
Step up the Food for Peace program
to assist the hungry people of
the world.
Payment-In-kind, out of existing sur-
pluses, as part of our land retirement
program.
Create a Strategic Food Reserve
which can be used In a national
emergency.
Strengthen efforts to distribute surpluses
to schools, low-Income and
needy citizens here at home.
Reorganize Commodity Credit Corporation's
operation to reduce com-
petition with the marketings of
farmers.
Develop industrial and other uses of
farm products.
Use price supports at levels best
suited to specific commodities In
order to widen markets, ease production
controls, and help achieve
increased farm family Income.
Continued progress In the wise use
and conservation of water and soil
resources.
Use marketing agreements and orders
when approved by producers
to assist In the marketing of crops.
Strengthen educational programs of
USDA and the Land-Grant Insti-
tutions,
Improve credit facilities for financing
the capital needs of modern
farming.
Encourage farmer owned and operated
co-ops, Including electric and
telephone.
Expand the Rural Development Program
to help low income farm
families.
Select an official committee of
farmers and ranchers on a regional
basis to make recommendations to
the President on improving government
farm programs.
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32 The Nationa! FUTURE FAR.MER