John Block Reports from Washington

Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere and the National Corn Growers 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—

Last week, I was on the farm in Illinois. Our corn is planted. Field soil conditions have been ideal. We still have soybeans waiting to be put in the ground. This is an exciting season.

Speaking of an exciting season, the politics of our state primaries can get your attention. This week, Donald Trump just clobbered Ted Cruz and John Kasich, winning 5 states – Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, and Rhode Island – very impressive. The margin of victory for Trump has to be embarrassing for Ted Cruz.

Here is what I think about the 3 Republicans. I like Kasich but he doesn’t have broad enough support. Cruz is a true Conservative, but he doesn’t have any friends. Donald Trump says things that I would never say but the voters want change. They aren’t sure what Trump would do if elected but he knows how to negotiate and get things done. He isn’t a “war hawk” and neither are the voters.

Republicans need to back away from their tendency to police the world. Our citizens have had enough of war. Take care of the home front. Protect our border. Immigration is fine if it’s legal. Will we really build a wall? I’m not sure.

Trump wants to rip up our trade agreements. I think they have been good for our country and especially agriculture. However, maybe they can be improved. I have become convinced that Donald Trump will get the Republican Presidential nomination. Polls say he can’t beat Hillary Clinton. Don’t be so sure.

In the spring of 1980, Jimmy Carter was expected to win the Presidential election in the fall. Ronald Reagan, leading the Conservative march to the White House, was 20 points behind Carter. He couldn’t beat Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer. But he did.

A lot of people are starting to wonder what kind of a President Trump would be. Maybe we will find out. Trump and Clinton both have pretty high negatives, but a lot can change between now and November.

To the voters that are concerned about our next President, whoever it may be, just remember this – we have checks and balances. Congress writes the laws. And, the courts ensure that we respect the Constitution and those laws.

Now we need to get those soybeans planted.

If you would like to review my radio shows going back more than 20 years, just go on-line to www.johnblockreports.com.

Have a great weekend. Until next week, I am John Block from Washington, D.C.