Grange To Congress: You Passed It, You Abide By It!
Declaring Congress to be its own worst special interest group, California Grangers are telling Congress that whatever laws they pass for the general public should apply to themselves as well.
“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” commented Grange President Bob McFarland, noting that Congress often exempts itself from the laws they deem necessary for the rest of U.S. citizens. For example, while Medicare is regulated by Congressional fiat, members of Congress are exempted and have their own specialized senior medical coverage paid for by the people.
California State Grange President Bob McFarland.Delegates at the 138th Annual California Grange Convention passed a resolution requiring that all members of Congress shall be provided the standard Medicare offered to our citizens at age 65 and that any additional medical insurance shall be purchased at the going rate by congressmen and their families at his/her own expense.
Assembled at the Mt. Hamilton Grange hall in San Jose, Grangers from San Diego to Yreka gathered for their Annual Convention at which they determined issues to advocate, community service projects to support, and plan programs for the more than 200 local community Granges in the State to participate in. The goal, said McFarland, is to accomplish all of this and have fun while doing it.
To accomplish the latter, activities are planned throughout the Convention with the sole purpose of fellowship, relaxation and having fun. The Grange Expo is a large part of convention, where Grange and community members enter various contests reminiscent of a good old fashioned county fair. There are entries in home economics such as food preserves, cookie baking and candy making. Truly a family organization, there are craft entries with categories spanning Junior Grangers from age 5 through senior quilting and master woodworking. There are talent shows for prizes, and karaoke nights just for fun. Winners in some of the contests go on to compete at a national level during the National Grange Convention in November.
Granges in California are diverse. Some have as their primary activity theater arts; others the advancement of sustainable agriculture. However, all Granges support family activities and their local communities, and all programs are available to all Grangers. A truly grass roots organization, all activity and direction must start at a local level and work its way up. For example, our legislative advocacy policies start with a resolution by a local Grange. The issue is then debated at the state level and, if appropriate, carried to National Grange to become a part of the Grange’s advocacy program at the Federal level.
Grange delegates established policy on topics such as opposing genetically engineered salmon, legalizing hens in urban areas, cutting the routine use of antibiotics in healthy livestock, opposing use of methyl iodide in growing of California strawberries, supporting healthy eating at all Grange functions, especially to help to reduce diabetes and obesity by promoting healthy lifestyle practices in our communities.
The Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) resolution stood uniquely alone as it took only a few brief minutes for a unanimous vote to take place with not one single amendment or argument. The resolution urges Congressional members to ask for reclassification of LBAM, sever taxpayer funding of the statewide program (which negatively impacts our small and medium farmers), and give serious focus on harmonizing trade agreements.
For information on Grange policies, local and statewide programs, or finding a Grange near you, visit the website at www.californiagrange.org. If you have a question about the Grange, it can be emailed to info@californiagrange.org.