John Block Reports from Washington

Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by
the National Corn Growers Association, CropLife America, and Renewable Fuels Association.
They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural
America. Thank you.

And now for today’s commentary –

Did you know that September 17 this week was Constitution Day? Our country has the
longest continuous running Constitution in the world – 230 years. We have endured a Civil War,
a Great Depression and two World Wars and now a deadly pandemic. In 1963 Dr. Martin Luther
King put it this way: “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the
Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which
every American was to fall heir. All men would be guaranteed the undeniable rights to life, liberty
and pursuit of happiness.” We need to support and defend our Constitution. We need justice in
our Courts that will defend our Constitution. It has served as our foundation all these years.

Good news for corn farmers and biofuels. President Trump ordered the EPA to reject the petitions from 54 refineries asking for exemptions. They do not qualify for economic hardship exemptions. Blend in the ethanol as the law states. Another Trump Executive Order that could make a huge difference in the cost of prescription drugs was just issued. If the order is successfully implemented, it should bring the cost of drugs in the US more closely aligned with what other countries charge. Of course, you know our medical industry will challenge this one.

Back to the farm – we are all aware that crop herbicides have their critics. I remember
walking the corn fields with other high school boys hoeing the weeds. I also recall in 1992 going
to Monsanto and being briefed on biotech crops that were tolerant of new deadly weed killers. The
Farm Journal has the story. Here is the title: “Rob Farley’s Biotech Shot was Heard Round the
World.” It is a powerful story. In 1996 4.3 million acres of biotech crops were planted. This year
we have 500 million acres of biotech crops across the globe. We do not need kids to hoe the corn
fields anymore. The weeds are gone.

Until next week, this John Block reporting from Washington, D.C. If you would like to
review my radio shows going back more than 20 years, just go on-line to
www.johnblockreports.com.