essay: Lessons Learned after 30 Years
This year I reached a milestone. I’ve spent 30 years at the Center for Rural Affairs and learned some lessons along the way.
I have learned that I must summon the courage to say difficult truths that have to be exposed, even when it damages relationships and causes me personal pain and agony. The clearest example is the debate over farm payment limitation reform.
The myth is that we cannot pass a farm bill that strengthens family farming because payment limitations are blocked by Southern opposition. In reality, we have farm programs that destroy family farming because too many who say they support reform trade it away in political deals in order to secure a few more dollars for their favorite commodity. The toughest choice we made this year was publicly criticizing our long-time ally National Farmers Union for undermining payment limitations.
For me, it involved asking which approach would enable me to look back on my life at the age of 80 and take pride in having stood for my principles. From that perspective, the decision was not hard.
I have learned that major change rarely happens quickly. To create real change, we must persevere in the face of obstacles and setbacks. This work is not for quitters. The objectives of the Center for Rural Affairs – creating genuine opportunity for ordinary people, building strong communities, ensuring fairness, and protecting land and water for future generations – are as old as human civilization. They are never really won or lost.
But what each of us does matters. Persistent effort can make life better today and for the next generation.
I have learned that government is important, but it is not the sole answer. Fundamental change almost always requires local initiative and leadership. Government can support and enable local initiative by providing money or removing legal and economic barriers. But if rural people give up, and if we have no vision of a future in rural America, government cannot help us. Individuals and local leaders with hope and vision are essential.
Government is us and reflects us. We often complain about cowardly politicians who fail to confront difficult issues and cater to powerful interests. I do. But we citizens are ultimately responsible. If politicians cater to special interests, perhaps it is because we are not fulfilling our responsibility as citizens to hold them accountable for advancing the common good.
If our elected officials lack the guts to address tough issues, perhaps it is because we don’t back them when they ask us to make short-term sacrifices for the long-term good. Democracy can only serve the common good when citizens look beyond their immediate selfish interests.
Agree or Disagree? Send comments, questions, and opinions to Chuck Hassebrook, chuckh@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1018.
I have learned that I must summon the courage to say difficult truths that have to be exposed, even when it damages relationships and causes me personal pain and agony. The clearest example is the debate over farm payment limitation reform.
The myth is that we cannot pass a farm bill that strengthens family farming because payment limitations are blocked by Southern opposition. In reality, we have farm programs that destroy family farming because too many who say they support reform trade it away in political deals in order to secure a few more dollars for their favorite commodity. The toughest choice we made this year was publicly criticizing our long-time ally National Farmers Union for undermining payment limitations.
For me, it involved asking which approach would enable me to look back on my life at the age of 80 and take pride in having stood for my principles. From that perspective, the decision was not hard.
I have learned that major change rarely happens quickly. To create real change, we must persevere in the face of obstacles and setbacks. This work is not for quitters. The objectives of the Center for Rural Affairs – creating genuine opportunity for ordinary people, building strong communities, ensuring fairness, and protecting land and water for future generations – are as old as human civilization. They are never really won or lost.
But what each of us does matters. Persistent effort can make life better today and for the next generation.
I have learned that government is important, but it is not the sole answer. Fundamental change almost always requires local initiative and leadership. Government can support and enable local initiative by providing money or removing legal and economic barriers. But if rural people give up, and if we have no vision of a future in rural America, government cannot help us. Individuals and local leaders with hope and vision are essential.
Government is us and reflects us. We often complain about cowardly politicians who fail to confront difficult issues and cater to powerful interests. I do. But we citizens are ultimately responsible. If politicians cater to special interests, perhaps it is because we are not fulfilling our responsibility as citizens to hold them accountable for advancing the common good.
If our elected officials lack the guts to address tough issues, perhaps it is because we don’t back them when they ask us to make short-term sacrifices for the long-term good. Democracy can only serve the common good when citizens look beyond their immediate selfish interests.
Agree or Disagree? Send comments, questions, and opinions to Chuck Hassebrook, chuckh@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1018.
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Courage
Well said, Chuck. We learn these lessons over and over. But truly absorbing them keeps us fresh, persistant, confidant, and patient. In the midst of this farm bill, we must make sure we keep ourselved sustained for the long haul. Sustainable advocacy? That's what we are about. Cynicism and defeatism have no place.
Courage
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