Read the Fine Print!??? More accurate: Read the Fantasy and False Claims!
Rothwell, ocm, and OT all probably know full well that AFBF's system of governance IS a representative democratic form, with local REPRESENTATIVES going to represent the local members at the state and national conventions. They also have policy or agreement that they will present a unified front for better successes with state and national legislation. That is, on the state level, the majority of opinion of the local members will prevail in disagreements, as, on a state issue, if several county groups are on one side of an issue, and the majority of the remaining county groups are on the other side, ALL will go with the majority. On the national level, if there is difference of opinion, majority of the state groups carries and all will support the issue. This is as I, a SDFB member understand the process, and am open to civil and accurate correction if someone believes I'm in error.
Re. FB Ins., OT, would you share a comparison of FB's Blue Cross Ins. premiums AND BENEFITS? We, personally, would not have adequate health ins. if not for Farm Bureau, and relatives and friends as well as we, have been very pleased with coverage, pay-out for serious illness and injury. By the way, who owns and sells Farmers Insurance Group? How are they able to keep their premiums so low? Is the coverage and benefits comparable to AFBF' s company?
Re. FB business practices, isn't it simply good business sense that if they have money available, it should be wisely invested in stock in successful companies? By your implication, a family or individual or any business investing in these companies are controlled by them. Ludicrous!
ocm, you say "AFBF doesn't have to depend on its voting membership for financial support....they can be a top-down org. ...they never have to listen to "the grass-roots". This is what is more likely: the "grass-roots" members, members elect their representatives who serve them well by wisely investing money so that the return on investment will provide money to do more education of members and consumers, and lobbying to serve members interests legislatively than they could on dues alone, for just two feasible uses for that invested money. Bet I'm closer to correct than you are, truth be known. I've met some extremely intelligent people who are very wise ranchers involved in AFBF, and they certainly would not stand for what you claim is the case for that org.
OT, history of many organizations, from cattlemens and other ag groups to the local churches, over at least the past forty years has been that the members want the fun and benefits of membership, but not the responsibilities of leadership. Many have gone begging members to serve, and often have settled for anyone who would reluctantly accept, rather than having enough qualified, good prospects for office to hold a real election. That has led to the diminishing of many such organizations. Been there, done that!
ALso, OT, re. "NCBA's recruitment procedures". Just what would that be? How are our "recruitment procedures" different than any other organization.....other than that I don't believe we have in recent history given chances on winning a free pair of boots with a bona fide self paid membership. Maybe we should!
Sandhusker, I just can't imagine a bank loan officer who doesn't understand the concept that an organization can have a phone conference between the national leaders and the state affiliate directors where those state affiliates will DIRECT the national officers to proceed with a plan (opening the Canadian border) because they believed enough of the so called "Eleven Point Directive" had been achieved to justify proceeding. You see, those state affiliates directors, REPRESENTING many thousands of GRASS-ROOTS state affiliate members, most of whom were not at the convention to vote, trumped the few thousand national voting members at the national convention. I know it really bites you that NCBA members DO control our organization, but such is life, you just have to buck up and carry on in spite of your disappointments. But please do try to be more accurate when discussing NCBA. Your fantasy that there is a NCBA/USDA?Packer "alliance" is a good case in point.....total bunk! Get over it and get a life.
To the Canadians posting about further processing your commodities to "get your share of the riches" in a manner of speaking.......be very sure you are correct in believing packers make obscene profits......rather than the possibility that they actually operate on very thin margins........be very sure you have your markets secured and within your favorable pricing frame......be very sure that you have the expertise to do all the jobs of those "middle men" accused of sucking the profit out of the cattle producers' pockets if you plan to prosper in your endeavors. May wisdom prevail, and may we ALL enjoy success and joy in life, seeing our cups as half full, rather than half empty!
MRJ
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