How politics are pulling us apart - Detroit Free Press feature article

How politics are pulling us apart
November 4, 2012
By Todd Spangler
Detroit Free Press Washington Staff


WASHINGTON -- Jeff and Nita Send need Washington to get its act together.

The couple are fruit farmers near Traverse City, and -- like farmers across the country -- are waiting on a new farm bill, a massive piece of legislation that in one section gives cash assistance for a cherry crop lost because of last spring's erratic weather.

With the money, the Sends could replace an aging Harvester, fertilize trees and prepare for next year's crop without borrowing.

But the bill is stuck in the U.S. House as Republicans wrangle over whether it cuts deeply enough. Whatever the House approves, a final version will still have to be hammered out with Senate Democrats at a time when such deals are nearly impossible to negotiate.

• REASONS: 7 reasons why America is so politically divided

"If they worked for me," Jeff Send said of Congress, "they wouldn't be working."

more, lots more ...
http://www.freep.com/article/20121104/NEWS15/311040325/How-politics-are-pulling-us-apart?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

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It's a good read, folks, that involves a whole lot more than embattled cherry farmers!