Reimagining the Rural West – 2nd Workshop: How the WGA Is Implementing a United Nations Agenda
By Karen Schumacher
In the first Reimagining the Rural West (RRW) article, the Western Governors Association (WGA) panel discussions were reviewed for what this “project” intended to execute on rural communities. The second WGA workshop was held November 5 & 6 in Santa Fe. Nothing like getting luxury trips while discussing how to destroy our Republic.
The first panel, Rural Prosperity – A Conversation with USDA, was as bad, if not worse, than what panel members said in the first workshop. Panel members included Rebeckah Freeman Adcock, Senior Advisor to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Arthur Garcia, New Mexico State Director, Rural Development, USDA. Isn’t it interesting how state governors are implementing an initiative created by the federal government, all the while excluding citizens they are supposed to represent?
Jim Ogsbury, WGA Executive Director, gave the opening remarks about how wonderful the WGA is, followed by what he thinks are the demographics and behavior of rural citizens. He also dribbled on about how to “build communities”, economic development, and jobs, one foundation of Agenda 21 and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
It must not be forgotten that it is the federal government imposing restrictions on resource based and recreation economies in rural areas, and those restrictions have caused economic devastation in those communities. Those policies continue to eat away at the livelihoods of rural citizens to this day. It is by no coincidence panel members were from the USDA, under which the U.S. Forest Service operates.
Ms. Adcock was the next speaker, coming across as rather pretentious. She spoke about the wonderful activities she and other federal agencies were accomplishing for rural communities and promoted USDA e-Connectivity, which is nothing more than a fancy way of saying the USDA is going to bring broadband and other necessary infrastructure into rural communities. A report was sent to President Trump on this USDA plan and how e-Connectivity would promote economic development. Aha, Agenda 2030 SDG 9 and 9c. Hey lady, what rural community doesn’t have access to the internet currently?
According to Ms. Adock, “We are not trying to “develop’ rural America…or make rural American not rural”. Then what are you doing coming into rural America with all of your plans? She thinks rural citizens should have the benefit of what urbanites enjoy, not necessarily a performing arts center, but rather an “active arts community”. Rural communities are “worthy of preservation” but also “worthy of prosperity” according to her. Of course, prosperity as defined by the federal government. No matter how its sliced or diced, the intent is to change rural communities. If the true goal is to not change rural America, then the recommendation is staying out of rural America. Don’t come into our rural communities to impose your SDG for tourism. And by the way Ms. Adcock, rural America is fully capable of promoting its own local art and talent, having done so for generations, your help and ideas are not needed nor welcomed.
Quality of life is described as infrastructure, housing, access to medical services, and decent education. The intent is to also “harness” the rural workforce with the forest, mining, agriculture, and coal industries being mentioned, and as these industries “fluctuate” there should be consideration for other workforce possibilities. In reality, it is the fault of the federal government that every one of these rural industries have been and continue to be shut down, that’s the “fluctuation”. What she is talking about is how the federal government is going to come in and re-create the workforce now that they have destroyed those industries. Technology and innovations were also addressed by Ms. Adcock, yes, back to SDG 9. She also stated that with improved infrastructure, “connecting” rural communities to Silicon Valley would be possible for advancing the workforce. Yeah, like it is every Idaho rural community dream to be involved in the Silicon Valley world.
As far as agriculture, Ms. Adcock was very adamant in her belief that it is a “moral imperative” that we “feed the world”, and would go “toe to toe” with anyone on that subject. Bring it on babe. Ms. Adcock stated that because of technology food is safe to eat, and at the current population growth, we won’t be able to feed the world by 2050. Therefore, our technologies should be shared across the world. SDG 2, 2.3, 2.4, and 2A, met. Lack of food has been a scare tactic for years and any time you hear “food security‘, run.
Mr. Garcia spoke about the USDA Rural Development program which has local offices where a citizen can walk in and get anything they need for a project from federal “experts”. He thought it was wonderful that the USDA provided a $64 million dollar loan and “grant package” to enlarge broadband in Taos, and funding in another area to provide fiber optics. No wonder our federal debt continues to climb as Idaho tax dollars benefit a rural community in another state and other countries.
Housing was another issue Mr. Garcia spoke to, with this program providing clean and affordable housing, money for individuals to buy homes without a down payment or mortgage insurance, and other subsidies. The USDA community facilities program provided $6 million for medical facilities in a rural area but that program can also be used for libraries or whatever else you “dream of”. Is this not socialism? SDG 3, check. Wastewater and wastewater treatment were also discussed by Mr. Garcia, citing a $26 million dollar “grant package” to fix the system in another town. SDG 6, check, check. Solar panels were brought in to a pecan farm for $900,000. SDG 7, done.
The USDA has an Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. Every one of their recommendations under the five identified areas implements Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
From their own website, the USDA is implementing Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It is the intent to change rural communities. Don’t let them in, no matter how much money they dangle in your face. Alert your elected officials to this ruse and tell them your community will develop your own area. We have a tyrannical federal government that is determined to first destroy our community, then come in and redesign how we live according to UN dictates.
Was it President Reagan who said the nine most terrifying words are “I’m the federal government and I’m here to help”?