At last, rural folks are discovering they too can protest, can make their voices heard, just like the big cities on the coasts. While there may not be thousands of people as in Los Angeles or New York City, it has meaning.
On Saturday, February 25, over 60 people voiced concerns for the fate of their health care, demonstrating in front of the Courthouse in Camdenton, Missouri, population 3,718.
“Why is this important?” you might ask.
First, you need to know that Camdenton is the County Seat of Camden County where all the elected County officials are Republicans who ran unopposed; that Camden County is split between two Congressional Districts, both with Republican Representatives in the U.S. House. Yet still, in this seemingly Republican bulwark, over 60 people showed up.
Tired of being bullied, they are concerned about their healthcare and the healthcare of their children, grandchildren and extended family. Families are important around here.
So they braved the cold front, bundled up and carried their handmade signs. New friends were made, old friendships renewed. All with a common purpose, health care, believing no one should die because of a lack of money.
Missouri Farm Bureau is a membership organization.
So how do they get members? Easy – sell insurance at a competitive rate. How do you get that great less expensive insurance? Become a member. But do all the members really know what they are buying into — bet not.
As a member, you would be supporting their opposition to “abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger . . .” supporting their opposition to “concept of a ‘Gay Bill of Rights.’ . . . legalization of gay marriages by either state or national legislation . . .” Farm Bureau also states that they “oppose the addition of the term ‘sexual orientation” into the non-discrimination disclaimer by the state or federal government or any institution receiving public funding.” Not surprisingly they support the passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. You can find the full text at http://mofb.org/LegislativeIssuesPolicies/PolicyStatement.aspx under the Policy Quick Find subtopic “Moral Issues.”
Also under the topic of “Moral Issues” is their opposition to the National Endowment for the Arts receiving tax monies. That one was probably written in because of the controversy some years ago concerning the photography exhibit of Robert Mapplethorpe.
But gays and lesbians and pro-choice folks are not the only ones who might be concerned with Farm Bureau Policy.
Farm Bureau also states:
“We oppose the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” enacted in 2010 and urge its repeal.”
“We support a voter photo identification card.”
“We oppose federal minimum wage laws.”
“We oppose the regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Federal Clean Air Act.”
There will be a certain number of people who believe Farm Bureau is right. So be it.
But my question to those who are considering joining to get the insurance or those who may already be members is —
Can you live with the knowledge you are supporting these issues with your membership money?
That Farm Bureau will be using your money to promote their beliefs?
If you disagree or perhaps even agree, with Missouri Farm Bureau, you may reach them by telephone, toll free, 800 922-4632 or 573 893-1400. Their address, incase you wanted to dash off a note, is 761 S. Country Club Drive, P.O. Box 658, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
Oh, and in case you wanted to stop by, this is what their digs in Jeff City look like:
Missouri Farm Bureau headquarters, Jefferson City, Missouri
heartlandoutlook.com 