Rural farmers and economies had better begin to familiarize themselves with Representative Henry Waxman.  He is what I will call The Anti-Peterson. Waxman represents a significant shift in focus for empowered liberal Democrats in Washington.  Representative Collin Peterson is known as a blue-dog democrat and holds the "once" powerful position as Agriculture Chairman in the U.S. House of Representatives as I will explain.

Rep. Waxman is no friend of the family farm or agriculture when you look at his voting record over the many decades he has served in Congress.  Rep. Waxman completed a horrific defeat to blue-dogs in the Democratic party after the latest election. He replaced longtime Michigan Democrat John Dingell. The liberal majority sent a message that they are in control. 

Representative Peterson has been on defense since then trying to mend political fences.  This has been complicated by the fact he has been opposing stimulus and bailout bills in Washington only to sing their praises in speaking engagements around the country.  The realignment with the new power structure put in place by Speaker Pelosi has forced him into supporting Obama’s first budget that far surpasses his blue-dog litmus test regarding deficit spending. A noticeable shift and break with campaign rhetoric.

Make no mistake!  Waxman was placed as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee specifically to bring the discussion regarding agricultural and rural issues decidedly to the left.  Representative Peterson is now less powerful and less relevant. TIME Magazine in 2006 named Waxman “The Scariest Guy in Washington” because of his partisanship and ability to get things done.  He is no friend of conservative or moderate causes as this excerpt illustrates:

In the altered landscape that is Washington, there's a new contender for the title of Scariest Guy in Town. He stands 5 ft. 5, speaks softly and has all the panache of your parents' dentist.

Waxman is not out to modify or supplement existing regulation regarding Cap & Trade.  Waxman is out to rewrite the book.  His personal disdain for squishy Democrats, like Peterson, can bring one to deduct that Waxman will not be having many dinners or meetings with Collin Peterson to get his views on how it will affect agriculture and rural America.  Even the rural leaders who have aligned themselves with blue-dogs like Peterson are nervous.  A recent post from FARM Policy ended like this:

DTN writer Toddy Neeley reported yesterday (link requires subscription) that, “U.S. farmers may have a place at the table in the carbon cap and trade debate, but it’s unclear whether they will be able to benefit from carbon trading.”

Mr. Neeley indicated that, “Bob Young, chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said there are many concerns with what a cap-and-trade program would mean to U.S. farmers.

“‘We should question whether we’re reducing carbon in the U.S. if we’re moving this way,’ Young said. ‘It’s not clear how or if agriculture ends up a winner.’ There should be some concern about the potential collapse of carbon markets, he said, which would make it difficult for farmers to depend on that revenue.”

Yesterday’s DTN article noted that, “Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis said that while many farmers have told him they don’t buy into the concern about global warming, they can’t afford not to jump on board.

“In the European Union, for example, carbon-credit traders are getting about $20 a ton of carbon sequestered, compared to about $2.50 in the U.S., he said.

“‘We’re either going to be regulated or rewarded,’ Buis said.”

Waxman said this new set of laws will create new clean jobs for our economy.  It appears that farmer’s who have flirted with these groups in hopes of a good deal maybe the ones filling those new jobs. 

Waxman is a breed of political partisanship and the head of a movement that has its roots in radical environmentalism.  They are no friend of the family farm, rural America, and the next few years may witnesses the chickens coming home to roost.  I just hope we are around to see those chickens roost and not punching into our shift at the windmill factory just outside SOMEBIGCITY USA.

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