John Block Reports from Washington

My thoughts as I stand in the field south ofthe bam and look out across the horizons. What can we expect in 2007 What did we get done in 2006?

To begin, we had an ,election and the Democratic Party will control both House and Senate next year. That is a big switch. However, many of the Democrats that kicked out the 30 or so Republicans are as conservative as the Republicans they beat. Half of the new members can be classified as 'Blue Dog" Democrats. Ronald Reagan worked with the "Blue Dogs."

Not to forget the Democrat Party has more than its share of wild-eyed liberals. Tough, but I think they know that if they want to win in 2008, they need to stare down the middle ofthe road. Although the inclination may be to pull all the troops out of lraq, I don't think that will happen any time soon. Remember, the Commander in Chiefis still President Bush. There is no reason to think that the new Congress won't be able to write a good Farm bill. Both political parties will be falling all over each other to get credit for the energy section in the bill. When it comes to trade, we can expect the new Congress to put the brakes on new trade agreements. That concerns me, but on the positive side, the new Congress will be tougher on countries that don't practice fair trade. South Korea's rejection ofour beefwith their flimsy, absurd complaint about a tiny piece ofbone the size ofa marble is blatant protectionism. We should close down the imports of their cars. That would get their attention.

And maybe, just maybe the Democrats can fashion a compromise bill giving family businesses "death

tax" relief. They wouldn't support the Republican bill, but if they get credit, they might change their

mind.

With the sun rising in the East and stronger fann prices, I feel pretty good as we prepare to enter a New Year.

Until next week, I am John Block from Washington.