Atlanta, GA - Paul Coverdell has once again rolled out a new campaign ad distorting Michael Coles’ positions on Agriculture while trying to take credit for battling a problem he helped create. In a new radio ad, Coverdell has taken credit for fighting for Georgia’s farmers yet he helped write the “Freedom to Farm” act that has put 25% of Georgia’s farmers in jeopardy of losing their farms. In addition, Coverdell uses part of a comment in which Coles states, “… it’s wasteful programs like the billions spent on agribusiness…” to make Georgians believe that Coles is an opponent of Georgia farmers. Although Coverdell has failed to do so, let’s look at the facts. FACT: In 1996, Coles, who was running for Congress in the 6th District, targeted specific wasteful spending programs to be cut in order to achieve a balanced budget. Among the programs Coles discussed was the government’s underwriting of advertising for American agricultural products abroad. FACT: In 1991, the federal government spent $110 million in taxpayer’s money to advertise such products as Dole pineapples and American Legend mink coats in other countries. To find ways to achieve a balanced budget, which we now have in 1998, Coles was critical of the government’s role in subsidizing such programs that are classified as agribusiness programs. FACT: Paul Coverdell was part of the Republican coalition that helped pass the 1996 “Freedom to Farm” bill which has already proven to be the most harmful farm legislation for Georgia in this century. The bill removed the federal safety net for farmers and replaced it with a crop insurance system that is of little or no help in the face of natural disasters such as drought or floods. FACT: Farm losses in Georgia this year have been estimated to be close to $800 million and as a result of the “Freedom to Farm” bill, the federal government has done almost nothing to help. “Paul Coverdell helped write the 1996 “Freedom to Farm” bill creating a desperately flawed insurance plan that has failed to protect Georgia farmers,” stated Coles. “Any attempt Coverdell has made to help farmers in this election year has been in response to the problems he helped create. His actions are disgraceful.” “Unlike Senator Coverdell, I strongly support Georgia’s farmers and will work closely with farmers when I get to the United States Senate. Senator Coverdell is distorting my position on agriculture in a desperate attempt to hide from his own record.” # # # |
