Wes Clark's Rural and Farm Security Plan

FIGHT FOR AMERICA'S FAMILY FARMERS AND RANCHERS

• Family Farms and Ranches First. Three years of misguided Bush spending policies could put the promise of the 2002 Farm Bill in jeopardy. Although the bill is a vast improvement over its 1996 predecessor, we must still do more to ensure that America's family farmers and ranchers can prosper in the future. As President, Wes Clark will work to provide that opportunity.

• Reinvigorate American Agriculture and Rural Communities. Wes Clark believes that we must provide increased opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers to add value to their product and to effectively capture that added margin. By exploring new market opportunities, family farmers and ranchers can diversify and increase their income. He will:

  • Support farm program policies that allow farmers and ranchers the flexibility to raise new crops or livestock.

  • Work to ensure that U.S. producers receive increased access to capital through tax credits and other incentives as well as technical and financial assistance they need to take advantage of these opportunities.

• Free and Fair Trade. Americans cannot shy away from global competition, but Wes Clark believes that America must insist that the market not be distorted in ways that disadvantage American farmers and workers. The time has come to have an administration that can effectively ensure that the global marketplace is not stacked against our farmers and ranchers. Wes Clark will seek to:

  • Fight to further open markets to American goods.

  • Ensure that U.S. trade laws are strictly enforced.

• Ensure Competitive Markets for Family Farmers and Ranchers. Wes Clark will make sure that the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Justice, and others have the leadership and resources necessary to enforce anti-trust and marketing laws for the benefit of family farmers and ranchers.

• Protect and Enhance. Effective conservation measures are in everyone's best interests. Wes Clark will:

  • Fight for full funding of the Conservation Security Program and other farm bill conservation programs so that farmers and ranchers can maintain operations that are both profitable and environmentally sustainable.

  • Support new and promising initiatives that, like the CSP, offer the potential for improved farm policy in the future.

• Better Risk Management Tools. As President, Wes Clark will:

  • Work to provide improved risk management tools so that family farmers and ranchers can better protect themselves against production and marketing uncertainties.

  • Look seriously at significant crop insurance reform.

JUMP START THE RURAL ECONOMY

• Sustainable Rural Development. Our success in revitalizing America's rural economies will not be determined by farmers, ranchers and manufacturers alone. The economic landscape is changing. New businesses and innovative ventures will also be critical. Many small business owners and entrepreneurs need access to capital, technology, skilled workers and many other tools if they are to thrive. Wes Clark will do more to help local development groups that provide localized development assistance by:

  • Facilitating public-private partnerships and inter-industry cooperation.

  • Providing workforce and entrepreneur training.

  • Providing incentives for businesses to locate in rural communities.

  • Promoting home-ownership in rural areas.

• Jobs. Under President Bush, three million private-sector jobs have been lost- the worst job losses under any president since Herbert Hoover. Instead of addressing the problem, President Bush has pursued the only policy he believes in: tax breaks for the rich, meanwhile working families worry about job security and the unemployed struggle to find work. Wes Clark has a real plan to let America get back to work. His three-part strategy devotes $100 billion over two years to jumpstart job creation without increasing the deficit.

• Upgrade rural infrastructure. Wes Clark knows that to achieve a vibrant rural economy, we must fix the crumbling highways, bridges, rail and water systems that serve our agricultural heartland. But these days, information as well as commodities moves from coast to coast and beyond. Wes Clark will:

  • Make repairing and upgrading rural America's pipes, roads, bridges and broadband infrastructure a national priority.

  • Devote the resources necessary to achieve universal broadband access as quickly as possible to allow rural hospitals and schools to better serve rural populations and to level the playing field for rural businesses.

THE PROMISE OF NEW ENERGY

• Renewable Energy and the Rural Economy. The potential impact of the wind, ethanol and biomass energy industries on America's rural economies is significant. Renewable energy is a great way to diversify struggling rural economies. Increased production of renewable fuels has the potential to create millions of new jobs and revitalize America's economy-starting in heartland. America's farmers and new generation of rural entrepreneurs can lead the way. Wes Clark will:

  • Work to ensure that farmers and ranchers receive the increased access to capital through tax credits and other incentives and technical assistance they need to take advantage of opportunities to increase profit through renewable energy production.

ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE

The number of uninsured Americans has climbed by almost four million since 2000 to 44 million and nearly one-fifth of them live in rural areas. Rural Americans are, in general older and in worse health than other Americans, yet have far less access to quality, affordable healthcare. In particular, rural communities face obstacles such as lack of long-term care options, medical facilities and professionals and affordable, quality preventive care and treatment.

• Cover the Uninsured. Wes Clark has introduced a healthcare plan that would allow Americans without access to employer-based health insurance-many of whom live in rural areas-to purchase coverage through the same system that insures members of Congress.

• Recruitment of Medical Professionals. Although 20% of Americans live in rural areas, only 9% of physicians practice in rural areas. This is unacceptable. Wes Clark will step up efforts to recruit and retain healthcare professionals in rural areas through enhanced incentives.

• Telehealth. Wes Clark will work to expand access to telehealth options to enhance diagnostic and preventive services for rural communities.

• Equity in Medicare Reimbursement. Wes Clark will ensure fair and equitable Medicare reimbursement rates for rural healthcare providers.

ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION

• Give Rural Schools Adequate Resources. The 'No Child Left Behind Act' promised rural schools the help they need to hire and retain qualified teachers, take advantage of new distance learning technology and other resources for students, and repair crumbling schools. But instead of benefiting from NCLB, rural schools have been targeted for cuts by the Bush administration. Wes Clark supports fully funding these programs in order to give small, rural schools flexibility in how they can use federal funds and to help these districts hire and retain talented teachers and fund professional development.

• Small Schools for Rural Students.
  The past few decades have seen a nationwide push for school consolidation, particularly in rural areas. Although the student population has grown by 70% since 1940, the number of schools has actually gone down by 70%. Research has shown, however, that small schools with only a few hundred students tend to have better attendance, lower drop-out rates, and higher academic achievement. To help small rural schools provide a rich and challenging education, Wes Clark will:

  • Work to make distance learning equipment widely available.

  • Encourage inter-district as well as high school-community college cooperation to achieve this goal.

• Close the Salary Gap for Rural Teachers. According to a recent report by the Rural School and Community Trust, average teacher salaries in rural areas are a full 13.4% lower than in non-rural areas, and experienced rural teachers with masters' degrees receive about 17% less on average. If all our communities are going to achieve the goals laid out in No Child Left Behind, then we must work with them, not against them. Wes Clark will fight for all teachers to be treated fairly by closing the salary gap for rural teachers.