"The Border Will Open SOON"

[whiteface]

On a different note.
May I say that I am not Anti American, and don't beleive that the people of the US are not to blame for our troubles. On the other hand, like most of us have, I think that American farmers coming to Auction sales in southern Canada could just as easily stay home. The good old Rcalf boy who got his clock clicked at Balog Auction also had a choice. I never have had a problem with a little dust up once in a while. Kind of clears the head for that next beer, like we used to in the good old days.

When we turned Rick Pascal loose at the BIG C meeting it was fun at first, but his talk quickly became self serving and Anti American. The people he should be attacking are none other than the ones he depends on to buy his product. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.

As for me thinking that BIG C is best for myself cowman, I thought you already knew my story. I have looked after the homefront first. Our beef market is one of many, but also a small minority staying afloat without any connection to the mainstream. Culls are still a major concern, and bull sale dollars were off, but I will survive.

I beleive, and feel that you somewhat beleive too, that BIG C has a purpose, and could help those people that I DO KNOW you care about.

[ivbinconned]

I have said it before in these threads and after reading this thread it may be worth repeating.

No "Americans" would be buying at Canadian auctions, no "Americans" would own Western Canadian packing plants, feedlots or cattle. No "Americans would own food procesing plants in Saskatoon that where once built by the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool IF it had not been for the eastern pleasing, Ottawa delivered policy, of a LOW valued Canadain dollar!! These past thirty years.

That policy has made industry here ripe for the picking.

No "American" owned packing plants in Canada would get away with what they have here, if CANADA had just as strict anticombines legislation and price fixing policy as the U.S. does!

So if we are going to lay blame for our state of affairs, lets direct it to where it is due and flatten the wheels of the eastern dominated politcal system that Western Canada is subservient to.

We cound't do worse!

[cakadu]

Whiteface - you've hit on many of the reasons for having this forum. I like the diversity of ideas and opinions and often learn many new things or new ways to look at an issue. What keeps me here is the people and it's always pleasing to see new people joining us and letting us know what they think. So long as we keep it from getting personal, then there is nothing wrong with a bit of venting or disagreeing, because that is what makes us all unique. Just think of how boring life would be if we were all the same.

We don't have to agree with all the opinions, thoughts and comments posted here, just understand where the other person is coming from.

Let's keep communicating with one another because in the long run, that is what is going to help us all get through this and see the sunshine again on the other side.

[cowman]

rpkaiser: Who is trying to send you there? No one.
Vandalism is never justified. Why shouldn't the two American farmers be able to come to Canada and buy at a farm auction? What did they ever do to get their trucks vandalized?
Our struggle has never been with the American farmer? Sure they probably support a closed border...if we were in their shoes we'd do the same darned thing? I mean right now they are doing fairly well on cattle, right? And after all it is their country and their market. How would we feel if the shoe was on the other foot? For example if tommorrow the Canadian government decided it would float the idea of complete free trade in beef with say Brazil, how do you think we might react? What are the American farmers doing that is so evil?...expecting a decent profit? Is that so wrong?

[rsomer]

While I understand your comments cowman, I would point out that the same American farmer blocking access to our live cattle is the same American farmer who sold subsidized corn into Canada in 2002-03. They like to protect their markets just like we would, but they also demand we accept their imports even when it hurts our domestic industries.

[rookie]

Well cowman, I see you're drawing some fire... Personally, I like to hear the other half of opinions on this business, meaning yours. Personally I feel there is way too much complacency in agriculture and its become a slow death for an occupation. I mean, what has ever changed? If you rattling a few cages, does that mean anything ? Have a good day, its time to go to my off farm job p.s lets hope that the border does open soon...

[almoy]

Will electing Stephen Harper help our cause? He is so pro american that he will not stand up to the US at all. Any thing they do will be fine with him. Haven't heard much of an agriculture policy from him either.

[whiteface]

I've been a conservative voter my entire life and for the first time ever, I'm stumped. I don't think Harper will do anything for us but neither will the liberals and they are in fact as we've discovered, somewhat dangerous. Voting for a party that doesn't stand to gain a majority I think also is pointless as you end up with too many chiefs and not enough indians and decisions aren't made and nothing gets done. I honestly don't know what I'll do on the 28th.

[cakadu]

From what I gather of the conservative message, they want "freer" free trade, which I'm not so sure will help our cause any.

I heard not too long ago that one of the reasons that we are having so much trouble with this whole border issue is that agriculture was not properly included in the agreement, which was pointed out in another thread. The other really big concern for us is our water, which is also not definitively spelled out in NAFTA. Given that the Americans are beginning to run desperately short of water in some areas, this is or should be a big concern for us.

You're right - this is a crummy choice, no matter how you look at it.

[kato]

We're between a rock and a hard place, as the cowboys say.

I'm just going to vote for the best candidate in our riding, and not worry about the party.

[ALICIA]

I would guess that maybe the American's out bid for a piece of equipment that a Canadian wanted for a cheep price. It's too bad that soom people have to get that low, the farmer that has to sell his farm because of the situation, can't get a better price from a highter bidder just because he happens to be American.
Come on we all know that it's mostly goverment driven, not the average farmer, I can hadly wait to see if these few ant-amaricans turn down the offer to buy their cattle when the boarder opens, just because they are Amarican.

[ivbinconned]

Kato; Voting for the best candidate in your riding only makes sense if you live in a republic that is governed by rule of law.
In Canada a democracy(mob rule)where we elect a King or dictator every 4 years you best vote for the best King!