We are looking for stories about our troops – active duty and retired – that have given to our country and to our freedom.  Please send your stories to goodamericanpost@gmail.com, and let us share this with our readers.

Thank you to our troops for everything that you do for this fine Country!

College Park, MD – Just a few years ago, community supported agriculture (CSA) enterprises were few and far between. Today, more than 2,500 thrive across the country. As CSA numbers increase, however, so does the need for innovative practices to keep them running efficiently and profitably.

Written by former CSA growers and members Scott Franzblau and Jill Perry, Local Harvest: A Multifarm CSA Handbook offers clear and straightforward guidance on an innovative practice that is helping CSAs stay strong and viable over the long term: cooperative marketing

The 126-page book details how farmers can use CSA cooperatives to best market their produce, including advice on staffing, volunteer boards, distribution, legal topics and other practical information.

The book also includes a chapter on crop selection, calculating shares and adjusting to seasonal change, as well as a series of multifarm CSA profiles from around the country. Readers can adapt the book’s sample documents to their situations, gaining practical help with planning, marketing agreements, packing standards and the organizational process.

A CSA is considered a partnership between farmer and member, and Local Harvest: A Multifarm CSA Handbook offers a model for how these partnerships can work best to reduce labor costs, assure sales and address the quality requested by CSA members.

Download Local Harvest: A Multifarm CSA Handbook for free at http://www.sare.org/publications/csa.htm. To order print copies ($3.99 plus $5.95 s/h) visit http://www.sare.org/WebStore, call 301/374-9696 or send check or money order to SARE Outreach, PO Box 753, Waldorf, Maryland 20604-0753. (Please specify title requested when ordering by mail.) Discounts are available on orders of 10 or more. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. Call 301/374-9696 for more information on bulk, rush or international shipments.

Published by SARE Outreach for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and features work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA. SARE’s mission is to advance – to the whole of American agriculture – innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education. SARE Outreach operates under cooperative agreements with the University of Maryland and the University of Vermont to develop and disseminate information about sustainable agriculture. For more information visit www.sare.org.

I have been involved with several raw milk producers, and for a period of time owned my own share of raw milk in Southern Colorado.  Because of the growing awareness about the potential benefits of raw milk consumption, there is another unfortunate issue that is coming up in the echelons of Congress and the FDA.

The issues are the following: regulation [21 CFR 1240.61(a)] and statute [42 USC 264(a)].

Regulation 21 CFR 1240.61(a) states “no person shall cause to be delivered into interstate commerce or shall sell, otherwise distribute, or hold for sale or other distribution after shipment in interstate commerce any milk or milk product in final package form for direct human consumption unless the product has been pasteurized.”

Statute 42 USC 264(a) states, “The Surgeon General, with the approval of the Secretary, is authorized to make and enforce such regulations as in his judgment are necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable diseases…from one state or possession into any other state or possession.”

These (in theory) are supposed to protect consumers from sickness and disease.  The problem is that the heavy hand of government, with such regulations, can stifle consumer choice and actually hurt the health of consumers who have experienced benefits (not to mention the effect on local economies).

At the end of the day, we need our free markets back, where consumers can make their own purchasing decisions – buyer beware.  I am an adult, and I would like the responsibility of deciding both what to purchase and to ingest.  In the case of raw milk, it has been tremendously beneficial to my health and well-being, and therefore, I want to be able to purchase this from local producers who I know and trust.

Be cognizant of what they are doing with your choices!

Sue Norris’ Bronze Canary at The Southern Colorado Coal Miners Memorial

The Art Press Club, On-going Art Competition

Several times every year the Art Press Club and other sponsors award opportunities to promote artists work in print, web and gallery exhibitions.  The mission is to help artists market their work and become a recognized and collected artist.  Marketing art can be a complex and expensive effort and by offering marketing assistance to artists who enter we increase your exposure to art professionals who sell, buy and collect art.

Mediums accepted are:  Acrylic, Ceramics, Digital Media, Glass, Mosaic, Illustration, Jewelry, Mixed media, Metalsmithing, Sculpture, Oil, Pastel, Photography, Watercolor, Woodworking

A annual (non-refundable) jury fee of $20. allows you to submit two digital images of your work for consideration and subscription to our bi-annual newsletter.

Images submitted must be PDF or Jpeg files less than 10MB.

Via email or US Mail on a CD only.

email images will only be considered after payment is received.

Send your images to:

artbuyerguides@gmail.com Make sure you include your name and contact information!

NO phone calls are accepted, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Payment by check or money order of $20. to:

The Good American Post

Attention: Call to Artists

P.O. Box 2

Trinidad, CO  81082-0002

Make payment to: 91Imagine, Inc.

Other rules and guidelines available at www.artbuyerguides.com

Competition is an inherent and necessary component of an economy working with scarce resources.  There is no choice but to have competition, it is a naturally-occurring phenomenon that will never change on planet earth because we will always have scarcity – or finite resources.  Competition is not evil – it is unavoidable and very healthy for people.  Competition evolves regardless of where money is coming from – whether it is from multi-national corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations, or the government.  If we are working within the medium of a free-market economy, business and organization-owners/operators are continuously bidding against each other in the marketplace.  A development company may be deciding how much they are willing to pay for lumber to build condominiums, a preacher may be deciding how much they are willing to pay for lumber to build a church.  When they decide how much they are willing to pay and how much of the product they will consume, they are bidding against each other, in the marketplace.  In this situation you would likely not see the development company pitted against the church because they are competing freely in the marketplace.   However, if the government is in control of “giving” lumber to various entities, then you would soon see this development company and this church competing against each other in other more vocal, and likely more violent ways.  The entity that had more influence or clout (can you see the effect of politicking here?) would likely get the lumber from the government.  Lumber is a scarce resource – there is only so much, so there WILL be competition, regardless of whether that lumber is competed against in the free-market or competed against in a government-controlled situation.  The free-market allows for competition from millions of individual purchasers.  Centrally-controlled markets (i.e. government-funded programs/subsidies/bailouts) still allow for competition, but competition stems from those who can buy influence and power – a much smaller portion of the population – generally not people like you and I (average middle-class Americans).  In summary, “competing indirectly by having to keep your demands within the limits of your own pocketbook is very different from seeing your desires for government benefits thwarted directly by the rival claims of some other group” (Sowell, 2007, p. 77).

Red tape  is a continuous and pervasive factor in conducting business in this great country.  It starts at the national level and trickles down to states and municipalities – many of you reading this book know exactly what I am referring to.  Additional rules, requirements, fees, and filings fill our mailboxes and our precious resource of time (and money), trying to maintain the capacity to just operate, much less run a business and prosper.  “Any attempt to get rid of some of this red tape is likely to be countered by officials who point out what useful purpose it may serve in some circumstances.  But they are unlikely even to pose the question whether its incremental value exceeds its incremental costs.  There are no incentives for them to look at things this way” (Sowell, 2007, p. 81).  We ALL rely on incentives – you and I as consumers, and people in government – those who create these rules, requirements, fees, and filings that inundate us with time-consuming activities that rarely help.  We all rely on incentives.

“History does not teach fatalism.  There are moments when the will of a handful of free men breaks through determinism and opens up new roads.” ~Charles de Gaulle

Reference:

Sowell, T. (2007). Basic Economies, Third Edition. New York: Perseus Books Group.

An alternative process for treating sewage lagoons,  developed by Bio2 Solutions,  can treat the town’s waste-water using single-cell algae (versus mechanical aeration components).  This process not only reduces costs, but is actually better for the environment. Another component that is created in this process could potentially be used to create a bio-fuel, and another potential revenue-stream for the town.

See the whole story here:  http://www.fowlertribune.com/features/x1025056390/Fowler-sewer-lagoons-subject-of-study

I have been lucky enough to visit with Judd and Linda Sundine of Bio2Solutions, as well as with Wayne Snider, the Town Administrator of Fowler on a trip to Wray, Colorado.  Our adventure to look at Wray’s sewage system was incredibly educational about how we can use natural algae to treat waste-water.  The opportunity for these smaller communities to lower costs while improving their processes, enhancing their environment, and potentially even adding to their revenues, is testament to how sustainable market activities (when demanded by the marketplace) really work!

By: Tisha Casida

HR 2755 – The Federal Reserve Abolition Act

You can also purchase Ron Paul’s new book, End the Fed, at our website: www.goodamericanpost.com.

In an article in Politico, one can see where members of the press may not be so happy with the current administration’s lack of disseminating information to the public.

Although this administration claims to be more transparent than any other, the truth is that they are not.  They have had less day-to-day interaction with the press and both the President and the press secretary are harder to reach than other administration.

Some may argue that this makes the message coming from the White House easier to control.

At the end of the day, the American people need the truth, and then they can decide for themselves what they like or dislike.  And, although it is arguably impossible for any reporter or media resource to be 100% unbiased (because we are all human and all have opinions), it would certainly make sense for media to at least have more access to the President.

We need new media, we need real people in Washington, and we have a lot of work to do.

Read the complete article HERE.

This information was taken from:  http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/22/house-roll-health-care-overhaul/

ALASKA

Republicans — Young, N.

ARIZONA

Democrats — Giffords, Y; Grijalva, Y; Kirkpatrick, Y; Mitchell, Y; Pastor, Y.

Republicans — Flake, N; Franks, N; Shadegg, N.

ARKANSAS

Democrats — Berry, N; Ross, N; Snyder, Y.

Republicans — Boozman, N.

CALIFORNIA

Democrats — Baca, Y; Becerra, Y; Berman, Y; Capps, Y; Cardoza, Y; Chu, Y; Costa, Y; Davis, Y; Eshoo, Y; Farr, Y; Filner, Y; Garamendi, Y; Harman, Y; Honda, Y; Lee, Y; Lofgren, Zoe, Y; Matsui, Y; McNerney, Y; Miller, George, Y; Napolitano, Y; Pelosi, Y; Richardson, Y; Roybal-Allard, Y; Sanchez, Linda T., Y; Sanchez, Loretta, Y; Schiff, Y; Sherman, Y; Speier, Y; Stark, Y; Thompson, Y; Waters, Y; Watson, Y; Waxman, Y; Woolsey, Y.

Republicans — Bilbray, N; Bono Mack, N; Calvert, N; Campbell, N; Dreier, N; Gallegly, N; Herger, N; Hunter, N; Issa, N; Lewis, N; Lungren, Daniel E., N; McCarthy, N; McClintock, N; McKeon, N; Miller, Gary, N; Nunes, N; Radanovich, N; Rohrabacher, N; Royce, N.

COLORADO

Democrats — DeGette, Y; Markey, Y; Perlmutter, Y; Polis, Y; Salazar, Y.

Republicans — Coffman, N; Lamborn, N.

CONNECTICUT

Democrats — Courtney, Y; DeLauro, Y; Himes, Y; Larson, Y; Murphy, Y.

DELAWARE

Republicans — Castle, N.

FLORIDA

Democrats — Boyd, Y; Brown, Corrine, Y; Castor, Y; Grayson, Y; Hastings, Y; Klein, Y; Kosmas, Y; Meek, Y; Wasserman Schultz, Y.

Republicans — Bilirakis, N; Brown-Waite, Ginny, N; Buchanan, N; Crenshaw, N; Diaz-Balart, L., N; Diaz-Balart, M., N; Mack, N; Mica, N; Miller, N; Posey, N; Putnam, N; Rooney, N; Ros-Lehtinen, N; Stearns, N; Young, N.

GEORGIA

Democrats — Barrow, N; Bishop, Y; Johnson, Y; Lewis, Y; Marshall, N; Scott, Y.

Republicans — Broun, N; Deal, N; Gingrey, N; Kingston, N; Linder, N; Price, N; Westmoreland, N.

HAWAII

Democrats — Hirono, Y.

IDAHO

Democrats — Minnick, N.

Republicans — Simpson, N.

ILLINOIS

Democrats — Bean, Y; Costello, Y; Davis, Y; Foster, Y; Gutierrez, Y; Halvorson, Y; Hare, Y; Jackson, Y; Lipinski, N; Quigley, Y; Rush, Y; Schakowsky, Y.

Republicans — Biggert, N; Johnson, N; Kirk, N; Manzullo, N; Roskam, N; Schock, N; Shimkus, N.

INDIANA

Democrats — Carson, Y; Donnelly, Y; Ellsworth, Y; Hill, Y; Visclosky, Y.

Republicans — Burton, N; Buyer, N; Pence, N; Souder, N.

IOWA

Democrats — Boswell, Y; Braley, Y; Loebsack, Y.

Republicans — King, N; Latham, N.

KANSAS

Democrats — Moore, Y.

Republicans — Jenkins, N; Moran, N; Tiahrt, N.

KENTUCKY

Democrats — Chandler, N; Yarmuth, Y.

Republicans — Davis, N; Guthrie, N; Rogers, N; Whitfield, N.

LOUISIANA

Democrats — Melancon, N.

Republicans — Alexander, N; Boustany, N; Cao, N; Cassidy, N; Fleming, N; Scalise, N.

MAINE

Democrats — Michaud, Y; Pingree, Y.

MARYLAND

Democrats — Cummings, Y; Edwards, Y; Hoyer, Y; Kratovil, N; Ruppersberger, Y; Sarbanes, Y; Van Hollen, Y.

Republicans — Bartlett, N.

MASSACHUSETTS

Democrats — Capuano, Y; Delahunt, Y; Frank, Y; Lynch, N; Markey, Y; McGovern, Y; Neal, Y; Olver, Y; Tierney, Y; Tsongas, Y.

MICHIGAN

Democrats — Conyers, Y; Dingell, Y; Kildee, Y; Kilpatrick, Y; Levin, Y; Peters, Y; Schauer, Y; Stupak, Y.

Republicans — Camp, N; Ehlers, N; Hoekstra, N; McCotter, N; Miller, N; Rogers, N; Upton, N.

MINNESOTA

Democrats — Ellison, Y; McCollum, Y; Oberstar, Y; Peterson, N; Walz, Y.

Republicans — Bachmann, N; Kline, N; Paulsen, N.

MISSISSIPPI

Democrats — Childers, N; Taylor, N; Thompson, Y.

Republicans — Harper, N.

MISSOURI

Democrats — Carnahan, Y; Clay, Y; Cleaver, Y; Skelton, N.

Republicans — Akin, N; Blunt, N; Emerson, N; Graves, N; Luetkemeyer, N.

MONTANA

Republicans — Rehberg, N.

NEBRASKA

Republicans — Fortenberry, N; Smith, N; Terry, N.

NEVADA

Democrats — Berkley, Y; Titus, Y.

Republicans — Heller, N.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Democrats — Hodes, Y; Shea-Porter, Y.

NEW JERSEY

Democrats — Adler, N; Andrews, Y; Holt, Y; Pallone, Y; Pascrell, Y; Payne, Y; Rothman, Y; Sires, Y.

Republicans — Frelinghuysen, N; Garrett, N; Lance, N; LoBiondo, N; Smith, N.

NEW MEXICO

Democrats — Heinrich, Y; Lujan, Y; Teague, N.

NEW YORK

Democrats — Ackerman, Y; Arcuri, N; Bishop, Y; Clarke, Y; Crowley, Y; Engel, Y; Hall, Y; Higgins, Y; Hinchey, Y; Israel, Y; Lowey, Y; Maffei, Y; Maloney, Y; McCarthy, Y; McMahon, N; Meeks, Y; Murphy, Y; Nadler, Y; Owens, Y; Rangel, Y; Serrano, Y; Slaughter, Y; Tonko, Y; Towns, Y; Velazquez, Y; Weiner, Y.

Republicans — King, N; Lee, N.

NORTH CAROLINA

Democrats — Butterfield, Y; Etheridge, Y; Kissell, N; McIntyre, N; Miller, Y; Price, Y; Shuler, N; Watt, Y.

Republicans — Coble, N; Foxx, N; Jones, N; McHenry, N; Myrick, N.

NORTH DAKOTA

Democrats — Pomeroy, Y.

OHIO

Democrats — Boccieri, Y; Driehaus, Y; Fudge, Y; Kaptur, Y; Kilroy, Y; Kucinich, Y; Ryan, Y; Space, N; Sutton, Y; Wilson, Y.

Republicans — Austria, N; Boehner, N; Jordan, N; LaTourette, N; Latta, N; Schmidt, N; Tiberi, N; Turner, N.

OKLAHOMA

Democrats — Boren, N.

Republicans — Cole, N; Fallin, N; Lucas, N; Sullivan, N.

OREGON

Democrats — Blumenauer, Y; DeFazio, Y; Schrader, Y; Wu, Y.

Republicans — Walden, N.

PENNSYLVANIA

Democrats — Altmire, N; Brady, Y; Carney, Y; Dahlkemper, Y; Doyle, Y; Fattah, Y; Holden, N; Kanjorski, Y; Murphy, Patrick, Y; Schwartz, Y; Sestak, Y.

Republicans — Dent, N; Gerlach, N; Murphy, Tim, N; Pitts, N; Platts, N; Shuster, N; Thompson, N.

RHODE ISLAND

Democrats — Kennedy, Y; Langevin, Y.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Democrats — Clyburn, Y; Spratt, Y.

Republicans — Barrett, N; Brown, N; Inglis, N; Wilson, N.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Democrats — Herseth Sandlin, N.

TENNESSEE

Democrats — Cohen, Y; Cooper, Y; Davis, N; Gordon, Y; Tanner, N.

Republicans — Blackburn, N; Duncan, N; Roe, N; Wamp, N.

TEXAS

Democrats — Cuellar, Y; Doggett, Y; Edwards, N; Gonzalez, Y; Green, Al, Y; Green, Gene, Y; Hinojosa, Y; Jackson Lee, Y; Johnson, E. B., Y; Ortiz, Y; Reyes, Y; Rodriguez, Y.

Republicans — Barton, N; Brady, N; Burgess, N; Carter, N; Conaway, N; Culberson, N; Gohmert, N; Granger, N; Hall, N; Hensarling, N; Johnson, Sam, N; Marchant, N; McCaul, N; Neugebauer, N; Olson, N; Paul, N; Poe, N; Sessions, N; Smith, N; Thornberry, N.

UTAH

Democrats — Matheson, N.

Republicans — Bishop, N; Chaffetz, N.

VERMONT

Democrats — Welch, Y.

VIRGINIA

Democrats — Boucher, N; Connolly, Y; Moran, Y; Nye, N; Perriello, Y; Scott, Y.

Republicans — Cantor, N; Forbes, N; Goodlatte, N; Wittman, N; Wolf, N.

WASHINGTON

Democrats — Baird, Y; Dicks, Y; Inslee, Y; Larsen, Y; McDermott, Y; Smith, Y.

Republicans — Hastings, N; McMorris Rodgers, N; Reichert, N.

WEST VIRGINIA

Democrats — Mollohan, Y; Rahall, Y.

Republicans — Capito, N.

WISCONSIN

Democrats — Baldwin, Y; Kagen, Y; Kind, Y; Moore, Y; Obey, Y.

Republicans — Petri, N; Ryan, N; Sensenbrenner, N.

WYOMING

Republicans — Lummis, N.