Thoughts and prayers for WA farmers

Given the economic and cultural significance of agriculture in Eastern Washington, I would expect the region’s congresswoman to have nuanced, well-developed positions on issues relating to farming, timber, fishing, public lands and so on. After all, the issues are many, complex and conflicting: the cultural importance of family farms versus the economic viability of small operations; or national trade hardball to try to force China to change its policies versus the resulting need for some U.S. groups to pay the price of this game, say Eastern Washington farmers.

So it is surprising to read in the April 6 Spokesman-Review (“Trump urged to listen to farmers”) that Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers is wondering “what are the options I have as a member of Congress to exercise” influence over trade. I would have expected that in her sixth term she would know what those options are. Nor would I expect her to be pleading with the president to listen to the farmers, but telling him forcefully what the farmers say.

Thoughts and prayers are what we offer when we can’t do anything that helps. Shouldn’t the fourth-ranking Republican in the House have more clout than this?

William F. Siems

Spokane