S O U N D   O F F

Mr.John Harrington,

We have never met and I don't follow your writings but I really have to ask why do you and your articles seem to be off in left field. First, I read your shortsighted comments on Country of Origin Labeling a few months ago. Evidently it was after the WTO ruling of which you must not have studied the WTO's history, practices or have read their full report. How many WTO cases have been filed against the USA and how about any other country? Why the difference? WE have the consumers and money (and open door policy to anyone).. You "should" be aware of the filings against the USA. IT is a raw deal with little representation for our well being. We have little to gain and everything to lose if we keep going down this path that you seem to support. We need to get out of the WTO. My Uncle fought in the Korean War for a reason and for people to cut Americans and USA pride down don't set well with me. We have a great country and I want to stay here and I am willing to work and fight to protect it.

My second item of interest was your article on the packers so called losses and the posted comments have my utmost attention. I know of ranchers who actually committed suicide because of the packers. The big packers you talk about don't (shouldn't)sell fat cattle they sell beef. Why were a majority of the comments not supporting your position? Do you not see the big picture? I have friends who have been boasting huge dividends from USPB/National. Do you understand "corporations"? Where is the "scales of efficiencies" today? Most corporations pass taxes on to stockholders and many s corps pay NO taxes at all.

In order to gain knowledge and gain wisdom, I do have many articles for you to study on both topics of COOL and the WTO ruling if you would be open minded willing to learn more about our industry. You and many others could use it and maybe then understand the industry better. Might I remind you that many like myself as a producer of cattle in the USA and advocate for buying American Made Products are leading a different course and we are gaining ground.

I will tell you that COOL has and still is supported by the majority of USA cattle producers and USA consumers (even more now after all the issues in the world). Remember there is no better place in the world to sell beef in than the USA. We have great consumers who deserve only the best, highest quality beef available (maybe you haven't paid or eaten in an excellent steakhouse or prime beef raised like ours and you should try it..). COOL and our concerns from imports with trade imbalances started years ago and you evidently were again listening to the wrong bunch of political cronies. Maybe you should be in the business to fully understand. I would bet you were against the GIPSA rule "clarification". Did you attend the Ft. Collins Dept. of Justice Hearing? Without a doubt we need clarification of the law. Many see laws as referees or the police. Without rules it is natural for people to get into trouble by overstepping the boundaries.

Where do we go from here? History shows that in the past a survey whereby only those responding are recorded as the official number or "percentage", those are not valid surveys. I have an actual survey by an independent party whereby a specific number of producers were sent the survey and of those responding to those sent, account for the real independent survey (so it isn't distorted) which now makes it a legal survey (must have a 40% response to make it valid). I would be glad to see you get it then encourage the same survey to be done again and maybe you will see what I am talking about

This is a short letter to many complex issues (but resolvable) so I must go. Please reevaluate your writings and reconsider the work for change that is coming. One size don't fit all and we need diversity and competition.

Respectfully and very concerned,

Mike Schultz
Founder of the Kansas Cattlemen's Association and current R-CALF USA Country of Origin Labeling Committee Chairman

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