5-21 FB Ag to the Economic Rescue

 You know what would be great. To not have to talk about the economy in Idaho. Like things are great, farmers and ranchers are making a ton and Aunt Hazel couldn’t be happier now that she’s retired with her fat social security check and 401k. I’m David Sparks and that ain’t the way it is in the Gem State.

 According to the President and CEO of CoBank which is a member of the Farm Credit System - the U.S. economy has come off the cliff - but there’s still a hole in the ship and we’re taking on water. Bob Engel says a lack of leadership is the problem.

 Engel says we’ve replaced the over-leverage in the private sector with over-leverage in the public sector - which has led to deficits that are unsustainable. He thinks it’ll take both higher taxes and less government spending to reduce deficits. Engel says the current economic growth of three-percent will only keep the economy where it is. The only way to grow the economy is through exports. “The demographics of the country are not gonna allow us to grow at a fast rate. We about replace our population now a little bit more and certainly we can grow our population by reforming our immigration laws which is something that’s sorely needed, but exports is the best way to do it and I happen to believe that agriculture is in the best position to have a sustainable product and a value chain to deliver to the world.”