Barley Question/Voter Criteria

[liberty]

What upsets me the most about the single-deskers' response to Strahl's plebiscite question is their unrepentantly patronizing attitude. As a case in point, did anyone read Kevin Hursh's comment today? Usually, Hursh's commentaries range from mediocre to lousy, but this one was particularly bad.

Hursh accuses Chuck Strahl of being "intellectually dishonest" in allowing a dual market as a choice for barley growers. Hursh claims that "Without elevators or port facilities, the Canadian Wheat Board will not be in a good position to offer the best return." Hursh then asks, "... why would farmers deal with the Wheat Board if it can’t provide competitive returns?"

Despite Hursh's own claim that "economics rules" in this debate, he apparently can't fathom the concept of leasing as a means of acquiring elevator space, nor is he aware of the fact that overcapacity is presently a problem in prairie grain handling, a situation that would work to the advantage of a CWB in a dual market. Nor does Mr. Hursh seem to grasp the idea that hard work, ability and foresight are what is required to build a successful business, as opposed to threatening criminal sanctions against reluctant suppliers.

Never mind all those inconvenient truths, claim the single-deskers; farmers cannot be trusted to even vote on the question of a dual market, because they cannot be trusted to understand the full ramifications of such a choice. The single-deskers seem to view farmers as brain-dead peasants who, given the chance, will ruin everything. Better then to trust the future of prairie wheat and barley marketing to "enlightened" folk such as Ken Ritter, Rod Flaman, Stephane Dion, et al.

When it comes to intellectual dishonesty, the Ken Ritter crowd stands second to none.

[JD4ME]

Only in Canada eh? Pity..........

The questions are as follows


DO you love me and want to get married?
Do you hate me and not want to get married?
or
Do you like me and want to get married but maintain the option of sleeping with other people if the situation arises?



Yes or no


The question is Barley in or Barley out.
And Strahl is showing us all contempt by having a maybe part to a yes/no question.
Only in Canada.

[JD4ME]

If its a vote to remove the monopoly the board will do as it see's fit, thats why theres a board of directors. If they think they can be competitive they'll likely try if they can't they won't. It'll be their decsion to make no different than if they wanted to try a pool for fababeans if they wanted to try it outside the monpoly they could they haven't but they could Simple.
You people all need to get outside and get some fresh air it's a nice day out.

[JD4ME]

I know if the third option wins maybe the board could sell on odd numbered days and the open market on even, makes as much sense.

[chaffmeister]

JD4ME:
Third option: "The Canadian Wheat Board should not have a role in the marketing of barley."

If the third option wins, the CWB can sell wheat. On any day it likes.

[chaffmeister]

JD4ME:

I like your wedding questions. They're cute.

But I think to be a relevant analogy, they need to be slightly modified:

DO you love me and want to get married?
Do you hate me and not want to get married?
or
Do you want to remain friends and jump in the sack every now and then - as consenting adults?

[craig]

JD4ME
The status quo is not barley in or barley out. If you want that question then the CWB either should be responsible for all barley sales including domestic feed or they should not be responsible for any. If as you claim there is no middle ground then Question 1 is also not a valid option.

[silverback]

JD,

Don't vote if you don't think the questions are valid.

They are pretty straight forward to me.

You like them.
You will like them if they can find competitive prices in the world market.
You don't like them.

Easy.

As Strahl said today, this is a plebiscite to gauge farmer's feelings, not a referendum on the cwb itself.

[JD4ME]

Soon as I post this I'm following my own advice and going outside as it is a nice day, and on our farm at least it's amazing how much more work gets done if we actually go out and do it.

The thing is the third question is the smokescreen for the 2nd question and though it's a neat political trick, the question is still the same .

DO you want the board to have full control or do you want choice.

Simple, correct and straight forward .

I hope at least a few that post on here and think they've got it all figured out can admit that to themselves.

I do think that by being a typical politiciann and that Strahls muddying the waters with the wording of the questions . I feel this is somewhat disrespectful of we producers being able to sort the wheat from the chaff on this issue. But that said if I were the Ag. minister and wanted the results he wants this is how I would have done it too.

[wilagro]

JD4ME: You have pointed out the scam that Strahl is putting forth far more eloquently than I could.

I agree with you all the way.

...wilagro