Being Red or Blue

Are you in a red or a blue state? How about your county – is it red or blue?

Every four years, we as Americans elect a leader after sitting through almost a year of in-party scrapping for a nomination, then sniping between the two parties for that desirable demographic – the uncommitted voter.

The parties know they’re never going to change the minds of people actively affiliated with the other, so they go after the fence-sitters, those in the middle of the road that could be swayed either direction.

It’s easy to get burned out watching candidates talk more about each other than about their policies and voting records. That’s probably one of the reasons for the decline in voter turnout in some demographics – just one among myriad reasons.

But this election could be of great importance to the produce industry. Fuel prices are breaking records almost weekly, and CNN reported in late March that we could pay more than $4 per gallon before summer. Almost 75 percent of readers who responded to the Fresh Cut Question of the Month said the input cost that has increased the most for them this year was fuel.

The cost of food also is expected to rise – almost 4 percent in the coming year. Between rising fuel and food prices, some consumers are going to have to make difficult decisions about what they buy at the grocery store, and I assure you, it won’t be premium items they’ll be buying.

Is it all doom and gloom for the industry? Not at all. There are many opportunities for growing the fresh-cut segment, but we have to be aware and involved in politics for that to happen.

What do you know about the candidates’ stances on immigration reform? I am only aware of John McCain’s work on immigration reform – I’ve heard little to nothing out of the Democratic candidates’ camps.

What about regulating food safety? Hillary Clinton came out in February with her plan for FDA, and whether or not you agree with it, her plan is the only one I’ve seen from the candidates.

I would first encourage you to vote in the upcoming national election. Even if you’re a blue voter in an overwhelmingly red state, a red voter in a blue state, a blue voter in blue state or a red voter in a red state, your vote matters. Second, vote for a candidate who has a plan to help your business – don’t vote on party lines simply because you always have, and so did your dad and his dad.

Lastly, and this is for each business manager to decide, give your workers a chance to vote. That may mean giving employees a long lunch, but this election is important to your industry and your workers’ jobs. And besides, it only comes around every four years.


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