Good afternoon,
Tonight, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will finally take the stage for the highly anticipated presidential debate. While Trump's sentencing in the hush money case has officially been <a href='[link removed]'>delayed</a> until after the November election, he's had no difficulty continuing to sound alarm bells and demonstrating he's unfit to be president again.
Over the weekend, Trump <a href='[link removed]'>threatened</a> to jail election officials and political campaign staffers in the event they were to cheat in the 2024 election. Once again, he falsely accused Democrats of election fraud in 2020, adding to the mountain of lies he's told since then. While Trump has been busy spinning himself out in his own chaos, Vice President Harris has been laser focused on preparing for the debate, <a href='[link removed]'>reportedly by attending</a> 'an intensive 'debate camp'' in Pittsburgh. Bringing her prosecutorial swagger and admirable poise, Harris will surely bring her A-game to tonight's showdown against Trump.
Here are a few important updates in rural America ...
FAILING RURAL AMERICA, FARMERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released its <a href='[link removed]'>report</a> on Household Food Security in the United States in 2023 and its <a href='[link removed]'>2024 Farm Sector Income Forecast</a>. Unfortunately, food insecurity rates increased for the second year in a row reaching 13.5% and households in rural areas experienced very high rates of food insecurity. No Americans, whether they live in small rural towns or bustling metropolitan areas, should have to worry about access to food and putting food on the table for their family.
Farmers aren't faring well either. According to the 2024 Farm Sector Income Forecast, farmer incomes decreased in 2023 and are predicted to fall again this year. During Trump's presidency, his policies led to a trade war with China, resulting in a '<a href='[link removed]'>major blow to the U.S. agriculture industry</a>.' To offset the impact of this, the Trump administration made direct payments to farmers harmed by the policies. However, these payments ended in 2020 and added a massive amount to the national debt. What we're seeing today with farm incomes suffering is the sugar high of these government handouts ending.
The Household Food Security in the United States in 2023 report and the 2024 Farm Sector Income Forecast reflect a staggering reality of the farming economy and the status of food security in the U.S. With Congress back in Washington this week, it's time for our legislators to get to work on the Farm Bill and ensure it prioritizes food assistance programs and provides critical support for farmers so they can prosper.
WARMING UP FOR THE BIG PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
Tonight's presidential debate will certainly go down in history with Vice President Kamala Harris going head-to-head with former President Donald Trump for the <a href='[link removed]'>first time</a> since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. Throughout her campaigning, Harris has focused heavily on protecting reproductive rights; an issue that is <a href='[link removed]'>extremely important</a> to voters in this election and one that Trump has had an inconsistent stance on. At a time when '<a href='[link removed]'>rural women are seeing more negative health outcomes</a>' and limited access to health and reproductive care, Harris has the opportunity to reinforce her position and lay out how this issue will affect the lives of people on both sides of the aisle and everyone in between. Leading up to the debate, the two candidates have been <a href='[link removed]'>discussing</a> their opposing plans for the economy. This will certainly be a hot topic of debate with Trump <a href='[link removed]'>expected</a> to attack Harris' approach. In response, Harris will likely defend the Biden administration's record and <a href='[link removed]'>break down her proposals</a> for addressing the cost of living and supporting small businesses. This is a pivotal election for our country and many pressing issues that resonate with rural Americans are on the ballot.
LOOKING AHEAD
The first <a href='[link removed]'>presidential debate</a> between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is set to take place in Philadelphia tonight.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz will make <a href='[link removed]'>campaign stops</a> in Michigan and Wisconsin on Friday, September 13.
Be sure to follow the One Country Project on <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Twitter</a> and <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>Facebook</a>, and listen to <a href='[link removed]' target='_blank'>The Hot Dish</a> podcast.
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