We caught up with Postindustrial Columnist and Michigan farmer Mark Yonkman to discuss Trump’s farmer bailout, Democrats’ continuing failure to reach out to rural Americans, and more.
“The $12 billion [bailout] isn’t enough. We think the number needs to be three times that…” Yonkman said.
However, the Trump administration has made minor tweaks to regulations that appeal to rural communities, which Yonkman says “are a constant nod to farmers.”
“He has an eye to identify those little things that are a burr in your saddle that he can eliminate with an executive order that makes people’s daily lives a little bit better.”
Moves such as these, which appeal to rural Americans, are in part why Trump continues to garner support from many in the agricultural sector, despite other policies (immigration crackdowns, for one) or behaviors (his loud, offensive mouth) they may not like.
Meanwhile, Democrats are doing next to nothing to reach out to rural Americans, a voting bloc they need to win national elections that always come down to swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, all states with large farming communities.
Check out our conversation and let us know what you think.
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