Expanding Medicare & No Change on Tariff

Expanding Medicare & No Change on Tariff plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

Mexico announced increased tariffs on 89 U.S. import products on March 18, one week after Congress blocked Mexican trucks from driving long distances on U.S. roads by cutting funding for a federal pilot program. Pears, cherries and apricots have been subject to a 20% tariff since then and Washington Congressman Doc Hastings says despite efforts, nothing is happening.

HASTINGS: Frankly there has been no movement. I have talked to both Secretary LaHood from Transportation and Secretary Locke, our former Governor, at Commerce and of course sent a letter to President Obama but yet there is nothing that has been made public as far as resolving this. So as a result once again we are denying access to one of our big markets because of these tariffs.

The move to allow people ages 55 to 64 to buy into the federal insurance program called Medicare received the endorsement of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late last week. Pelosi said, - there is certainly a great deal of appeal - to expanding Medicare. But the California Democrat reiterated that she would prefer to create government-sponsored coverage for Americans of all ages.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

As the song goes, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”.  And no wonder since it is barley ten days away. With most people walking around looking like deer caught in the headlights you sometimes wonder if it really is the “the most wonderful time of the year”! Most of us have had to cut way back on our Christmas shopping lists this year and a more practical approach to gift giving has taken hold.  Socks and work gloves will be a familiar stocking stuffer this year at our house as well as lip balm and hand lotion. There’s also been a noticed increase across the nation of people who are reaching out to those less fortunate than themselves by donating not only their financial support but their personal time as well at food banks and shelters. The compassionate attitude of “there but for the grace of God go I” hasn’t been as prevalent in our country since the 1930’s.  We’re finding during these tough economic times that the holidays don’t have to be about the biggest and most expensive gifts. Some of the most beautiful gifts are completely free. As a character from one of my favorite holiday cartoons succinctly states, “perhaps Christmas doesn’t come from a store, perhaps Christmas means a little bit more”. 

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.