4
- j
i
1 i
' i
' w 4
0
'
Farmers knock ag policies
by Chris Harper
"A forgotten minority-farmers." That's
how one rural resident a George McGovern
supporter described his disgust with President
Nixon's agricultural policies.
But two others interviewed last week, while
not happy with the President's agricultural
programs, said they plan to vote for him
anyway.
"Small family farmers are the heart of the
rural economy in Nebraska," says John Hansen,
21, of Newman Grove. 'The problem of young
people leaving Nebraska or not returning to
their former country residences is because the
rural economy is suffering. President Nixon and
Earl Butz (secretary of agriculture) are the main
reasons why the rural economy is suffering."
Hansen, who operate a 300-acre farm with
his father, ,$aid. h,Qjan$, to vote for McGovern.
"McGovern has been and remains one of the
most ardent supporters of the small family farm
concept," he said.
"In the last 10 years, the average farm debt
has increased substantially yet agri-businessmen
have achieved larger profits at the expense of
the small family farmer," Hansen charged.
"Ni;on is, has and always will be, the choreboy
of the large financial interests and for
corporations rather than people."
But at Stoner's General Store in Unadilla,
Floyd lsaacs,66, said he plans to vote for Nixon.
"I bet $5 on McGovern, but I guess I'll vote
for Nixon. Before I could get some good odds
on McGovern, this guy called me on my bet,"
Isaacs said as he reclined in the store's rocking
chair.
"Nixon's done as good a job and will
continue to do as good a job as possible under
the circumstances," Isaacs added. "He's done a
good job of getting the boys back from
Vietnam."
The long-time Unadilla farmer, however, also
criticized Nixon's agricultural policies.
"The secretary of agriculture could have
raised the parity support on grains, but they
only went ahead and raised their own wages,"
he said. "I think it's a mistake to have a big
businessman as secretary. Butz is hooked into
Ralston-Purina."
Regarding McGovern, Isaacs said he isn't
certain that the South Dakota senator would be
a good President.
"He's making some wild promises. I don't
think he can bring home the boys and the
POWs so quickly," Isaacs said. "One thing
about McGovern-he's a farmer and he knows
what it's like to milk cows and pitch hay. I
think it might help if a man like that were in
the White House."
A solid Republican voter since 1932, Isaacs
tugged on his grey cap and said: "I guess there
are still a few things I want to iron out in my
own mind before I go scratching the ballot."
Another Unadilla resident, Fred Riege, 65,
also said he plans to vote for Nixon.
"Nixon has done about an average job,"
Riege said. "I can't see that he's made many
changes or made much progress, but what
would be the advantage of changing? We'd just
go backwards."
Riege said, however, that he and the federal
government have never "seen eye to eye" on
the nation's agricultural programs.
"In the '30s we voted on whether to
continue Roosevelt's farm program. They used
two different colored ballots-one for farmers
on the program and one for farmers not on the
program," Riege said. "They didn't even listen
to the ones who voted against the program. I've
voted Republican ever since."
"Subsidies are why we see all these empty
farms," he added. "Pretty soon we won't see
many small farrVrs. They're gobbling up a lot
of the farms. It's hard for a person to even get
started in farming nowadays. We should have
discontinued the subsidy program long ago."
Riege voiced" harsh criticsm for McGovern.
"If he was truly interested in farming he would
have stayed a "farmer," he said. "He must rtave
been more of a politician. I don't think he'd be
of much benefit as President."
v . . .
!M., , '- t-'.
I'. 'i t:, fc.
?! !
photo by Chris Harper
Unadilla farmer Fred Riege .. . "If McGovern was truly
interested in farming, he would have stayed a farmer."
doily nebroskon
Editor-in-chief: Jim
Lansworth. Newt Editor:
John Russnogle.
The Daily Nebraskan
students at the University of
editorially independent of
administration and student body.
The Daily Nebraskan is
Gray. Managing Editor: Tom
Randy Beam. East Campus Editor:
.' IDT
is written, ti&ted and managed by
Nebraska-Lincoln and is
the University faculty,
a - .
published by the CSL
r, a
subcommittee on publications 9 Monday, Wednesday,
ThwsdaVBnd Hidiiy throughout ttie-ehool year; except on
holidays and vacations. '
Second class postageoaid at Lincoln. Nebraska 68508.
Address: The Daily Nebraskan34 Nebraska
UnionLincoln, Nebr., 68505. Telephone 4024722588.
i 1
Items from Around the World at CAMPUS BOOKSTORE
AMERICAN GREETING CANDLES CLOWES HALLMARK CARDS
WE GOT THE RIGHT ITEM, AT THE RIGHT PLACE, AT THE RIGHT TIME, AT THE RIGHT PRICE
13th & R the Most Convenient Corner
I J VI
NEED Pencils
Pens
Paper
JUMOOE! SPECIALS
2 .O v OX w- v
(iff k I
F swanson tsjfffJ
W$W I
Get through the winter in flannel elephant bells
with a 40 inch cuff-be pretty and warm. These
come in navy, hunterm black, brown, and berry,
sizes 5-13.
REG $15 NOW 11.90
This acrylic turtleneck will look great with
slacks and skirts. It can really help you get that
layered look together S, M and L in red, white,
gold, navy and hunter.
REG $7 NOW 549
A button front jumper with back ties comes in
assorted plainds or herringbone? textures. Sure to
add interest and a personal touch to your
seperates. Sizes 5-13. See all three at the
Hi-Styler DOWNTOWN and Jr. Area
GATEWAY.
REG $20 NOW 13.90
hovland
swanson
page 2
daily nebraskan
friday, October 13, 1972
' " , I-
.... . ' . ' '
