Dear Editor:
I am writing in regard to the Right to Farm amendment.
There are a lot of confusing articles written on the pros and cons of this amendment depending on who you read. I've tried to sort things out and talked to people more knowledgeable than myself on the issue.
The consensus feel the amendment will help the small farmer more than the big corporations. The biggest threat to small farms is not corporations but urban sprawl and the fact that 97 percent of the people in this country have no connect with agriculture or understand agricultural practices.
People who are unfamiliar with farm odors and practices move to the country and end up suing their farmer neighbors over normal odors and agriculture practices. They may not win but the farmer has to defend it. This amendment will help protect farmers from that happening.
Some argue that it will stimulate lawsuits between proponents and opponents of the amendment. So what! Everything and anything stimulates lawsuits anymore. I refuse to be shackled by a fear of lawsuits. Every entity from school boards to federal agencies or officials are afraid to take a stand on issues because of fear of lawsuits. Lawsuits are paralyzing our nation.
The biggest reason I am voting for the Right to Farm Amendment is because the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has once again brought their vast wealth to Missouri to buy votes to regulate how we should live. Unfortunately for some of the well-meaning opponents of this amendment, HSUS has become their bedfellow.
How can I stand side by side with HSUS, an organization I do not trust? In the long term HSUS would like to do away with many things in our culture and tradition I hold dear, things such as animal agriculture, hunting, fishing, rodeo and, in general, any activities that involve animals doing the bidding of man. If you think these are not their goals, you are naïve. HSUS would like to see animals have the same status as humans.
You well-meaning people who have been joined by HSUS may rue the day this happened.
I am voting yes on the Right to Farm Amendment.