Stateline, U.S.A. — Most Americans weren’t looking when Obama’s Labor Secretary Hilda Solis first began her attack on family farms. Unfortunately, the battle continues and the price of groceries may go up as a result. And groups like Rowdy House Music are writing about it in songs that are playing nationwide.

Sen. Jerry Moran pleaded, ”If the federal government can regulate the kind of relationship between parents and their children on their own family’s farm, there is almost nothing off-limit when it comes to government intrusion.” Moran added, ”The proposed regulations would change the way family farms work, preventing farm kids from learning their parents’ trade”.

Fortunately, Obama’s Labor Department was flooded with thousands of comments and many outraged farmers weighed in against the changes. But what if farmers don’t catch it next time? Do we really want more inappropriate connections between government regulations, unions and the commercial interests? The government “buddy system” profits enormously from lucrative government contracts, subsidy programs and strategic regulations. This graft is even more insidious when it masquerades as social programs or regulations pretending to protect us from ourselves.

In late March, Congressman Mike Turner joined Ohio’s Congressional delegation and temporarily fought off the attack by Obama Labor Secretary Solis. “This is yet another example of a federal department or agency unilaterally enacting new rules or regulations outside the supervision of Congress. Had Ohioans and farming families across the country not spoken out, this could have had a devastating effect on the important role of agriculture to our nation’s economy,” added Turner.

Senator Moran said, “…For someone in Washington, DC, to propose rules that restrict a young person’s ability to work on a neighbor’s farm because of the amount of sunlight, wind velocity, and humidity is something that again, in my view, demonstrates a lack of understanding about how things work in the real world.”

Gov. Terry Branstad weighed in. “The federal government should not construct further employment barriers at a time when there are fewer job opportunities available for young people.”

Facing significant public outcry early in an election year, the Obama DOL announced that it would drop its proposed labor rules targeting the family farm (They’ll have more flexibility after elections). Iowa lawmakers from both parties were relieved.

“It would have been devastating to farm families across the country,” Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley said in a statement. “To even propose such regulation defies common sense, and shows a real lack of understanding as to how the family farm works.”

Bruce Braley, Iowa’s Democratic 1st District Congressman, also favored repeal of the regulations.

“The demise of the Obama administration’s proposed rule to require children to be a minimum age to work on farms is welcome news,” Braley said in a release. “A regulation prohibiting youths from working on farms would strike at the very core of agriculture across Iowa and the Midwest. This is Iowa. Working on the family farm is part of growing up.”

However, Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin gave a more designed response.  Harkin wrote in a release. ”I am disappointed that the administration chose to walk away from regulations that were, at their core, about protecting children and which could have been revised to correct some of the initial proposals that generated the most concern.”

Clearly, the “family farm labor issue” is not over. Industrial factory farms and labor unions have political insiders to do their bidding. Many remember the revealing gaffe when President Barack Obama was caught on microphone telling Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev that he would have more flexibility after November’s election to deal with contentious issues. Obama said: “This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.”

Burdensome government regulations and unpopular policies are easier to push through when politicians have “more flexibility”.  Family Farmers are a group of hard working, independent citizens who are critical to the continued freedom of the American culture.  They will be targeted again, but not until after the 2012 Presidential Election.

Rowdy House addressed this issue with their new song “Family Farm”. Mixed with the anger of an alienated group of our country’s most independent citizens, – the family farmer – the song might be considered to be a new interpretation of the “outlaw” country music from years past. This time however, the whole family has been made “outlaw” by the overreaching federal government. Rowdy House Music contributors are nonpartisan, professional musicians who expand awareness regarding government waste and corruption. Discussions explaining the meaning of their songs can be found in their “Learn More and Download” section on their website.

Image Courtesy of   Chewonki Semester School

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Stateline, U.S.A. — Every American’s interest peaked during the second presidential debate when one questioner asked about rising gasoline prices: “Your energy secretary, Steven Chu, has now been on record three times stating it’s not the policy of his department to help lower gas prices. Do you agree with Secretary Chu that this is not the job of the Energy Department?” Many argue that neither presidential candidate adequately answered the question.

The aptly timed song “ Energy Policy ” answers the town hall debate question. It highlights the fact that current policy does not prioritize energy affordability and as a result, today’s fuel prices negatively impact just about everyone. The Rowdy House Music release “Energy Policy” relies on reggae tradition to deliver its discussion on U.S. Energy policy – which is impacted by foreign policy – the subject of the third presidential debate on October 22. “Energy Policy” is playing on stations nationwide.

America’s energy policy has been “practicality challenged” by China’s pursuit of oil which is undercutting U.S. Security interests and economic future on multiple fronts. China needs a lot of energy because Americans buy so many products from them. That’s also why China is the largest foreign holder of US debt, its oil consumption grows seven times faster than the U.S., and its growth projections are off the charts.

Sustaining an extremely high level of economic growth may be necessary to contain civil unrest in China, even though they continue to suppress dissenting opinions and human rights violations are widespread.China has more people than any other country on the planet. And while high gasoline prices have Americans transitioning from cars to bicycles, the Chinese are transitioning from bicycles to cars. In a few decades, China will have more cars on its roads than there are cars on the planet today.  Therefore, they want more oil.

While Americans are questioning US Energy Policy in the 2012 Presidential Election Debates, and asking if their government is doing anything to help lower gas prices, China has been working diligently to secure its energy future. They have been aggressive in the South China Sea which is rich in oil and gas, but their ownership is disputed. In addition, China has also been assertive in securing reserves around the world.

China has been securing oil reserves in the American market proximity, which will force the U.S. to seek more oil from the Middle East. China’s arms sales to the region and its support of state sponsors of terrorism are highly troubling. With radical Islamic ideologies gaining a controlling foothold and anti-American violence threatening American presence in the Middle East, the price of oil will be going up, and the 2012 Presidential Election Debates will be heating up.

Will the Energy Policy question be answered in the context of the broader Presidential Foreign Policy Debate? Adding an extra dimension on the Saturday before the final debate on foreign policy, the Obama administration commanded a US carrier group on a mission to cruise though the disputed South China Sea. Tensions may flare. With the final Florida debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney including hot topics like Iran, Syria and the Libya scandal, there may not be enough time to answer the Energy Policy question. But the question on everyone’s mind each time they fill up their tank is, “Will I be able to afford it next time?”

Rowdy House released the rock single “Don’t Let a Liar Lead You” and the controversial YouTube video just before the new song Energy Policy and the presidential debates.

Rowdy House Music contributors are nonpartisan, professional musicians who contribute anonymously to expand national awareness regarding government waste and corruption. Rowdy House creates great music which is actually relevant and meaningful. They share intelligent discussions explaining the meaning of each of their songs. Discussions can be found in their “Learn More & Download” section by scrolling down under each song on their website.

For more information, please visit RowdyHouseMusic.

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