Why Biden's Pick of Tom Vilsack for Agriculture Secretary Is a Missed Opportunity for the USDA

[@Aikidragon_Prime]

When the global mantra is 'Profit over everything' all of humanity suffers.

[@ouimetco]

Vilsak is a corporate pig same as mike pompeo

[@surffen]

dojo -------is that not the trump (R) mantra ?

[@janefreeman4121]

Dept. of ag needs to address drastically changing practises for the sake of climate change. Current Ag is far worse than fossil fuels. Glysophate in ethanol, endless pollution through pesticides and slaughter house run off into neighborhoods, streams, oceans. Cutting down firests at an alarming rate.....Siding with monopolies bankrupting farmers. Vilsack an incredibly disapointing choice.

[@sonjaleesloth]

✊ Facts.

[@nicholaslima4008]

In all the noise around Global Warming, why is it, that Big Ag is never mentioned? Because they own the government.

[@kyeprice1301]

Have you ever been on a farm before lmaoo you sound crazy

[@matt_cummins28]

Excellent piece. Fantastic to be helped to connect things that you have to step back and take stock to otherwise notice - poverty, policy, history, and profit. And done in such a measured way - always the best way to communicate information. Great to get these things laid out so clearly. "The 'A' does not stand for 'Agribusiness'" is a phrase that will stick with me. Thank you, Mr. Salvador. And thanks as always to the team at DN. And to all here; stay safe and be well.

[@KaikalaMoon]

Thank you for disclosing the truth about a system that has evolved to this point since the establishment of this country. BRAVO! I will be sharing this 10x's at least today.

[@ryanblaine5554]

Thank you for the good reporting here. Please review his entire cabinet so we know how this administration will be compared to past administrations, for better or worse.

[@WookieeRage]

Very well put. The ongoing inequity and disenfranchisement of minorities in our country is a reality.

[@coreyham3753]

Yes it is ... but would you rather be in Nigeria, Yemen, North Korea, India, or many others as the alternative.

[@WookieeRage]

​@@coreyham3753 with that way logic you can dismiss anything you want. If someone you love was hit and killed by a drunk driver, instead of asking for stronger action to reduce drunk driving, you'd say "at least I don't live in..." Or, "I know your husband is emotionally abusive, but at least he doesn't beat you too." And no one brought up these other countries, just you. Are you saying we should be happy with our lives as long as we perceive them as better than someplace else? So we should not acknowledge injustice and inequity in our own country? Just because someplace else has more injustice and inequity? Seriously?

[@susanw2869]

NO on Vilsack, YES Salvador

[@davidrestrepo5754]

Thank you Democracy Now!

[@katelinares1217]

When will the USDA allow the public to see how horrendous factory farming is. Dairy industry is incredibly cruel.

[@watsondo100]

Vilsack is a demon and is a major player responsible for the poison in the grocery isles...Aaarrrgghhh!!!

[@1wer819]

Excellent interview! We can't go back to anything that doesn't serve us in today's world. Corporate farming has created poor health, gross inequities, and miserable situations for farmers. Enough!

[@sonjaleesloth]

Funny that the news didn't cover 250 farmers in India went on strike for the same thing under Modi.

[@wallaceahtone6149]

We live in a time of neo feudalism.

[@markbrownner6565]

how about addressing the fact that 40% of food grown is wasted or thrown away... harnessing the amount of resources to reverse this would solve most of these issues....

[@BernsteinOmega]

Joe Biden himself, is a missed opportunity.

[@surffen]

tobgo------- what does that mean ?

[@cyber-psych2503]

Sad that Donald Putin is now unemployed like his fellow Americans. Trump 2024: Make American Crap GOP Diarrhea Again !!

[@surffen]

@@jackstubbington387 who's the old boss ? trump !

[@surffen]

@@jackstubbington387 I think your head comes to a point ! do u have any idea the damage trump has done to the USA and the world ? it's catastrophic !

[@surffen]

@@jackstubbington387 do u walk to work or bring your lunch ?

[@laserbrain7774]

what you will reap, is what you have sown.

[@sonjaleesloth]

"A society will reflect in it's nature the way it came into being." -Che Guevara

[@abshir9677]

Now that we've gotten rid of the big bad wolf were back to being oblivious.

[@diffened]

If you are again oblivious, shame on you

[@Holistretch]

Good point.

[@MegaKootz]

maybe next time dont hand your vote to a corporate duopoly tool without making him earn it first?

[@surffen]

kootz------- which year vote are u talking about?

[@luchi.el.zorrito]

Well the progressives wanted him over Trump so good job.

[@erich623]

But, but, but the other guys will win!

[@ursamagickmt672]

@@luchi.el.zorrito Progressives wanted - and still do - Senator Sanders.

[@stevenbartolini]

@@luchi.el.zorrito We in no way wanted "status quo Joe" as President. The DNC, along with the Clintons helped him walk into the White House. Notice one of his 1st picks for his cabinet is Neera Tanden. She's one of Hilarys best friends.

[@sonjaleesloth]

I've never expected anything to change policy wise under Biden, outside of covid management.

[@surffen]

baris -------- another trump voter !

[@sonjaleesloth]

@@surffen ?

[@surffen]

@@sonjaleesloth you sound just like one ----- moronic and uninformed ! do u realise Biden hasn't been sworn in yet ? do you know the disaster's that trump and his dirtball (R)'s implemented ?

[@donholmes3267]

Very educational talk . Get rid of the appointee !

[@charlesmccullough4044]

Biden needs to appoint a Black american for the secretary of agriculture, Black Farmer has been dísinfranchised for decades

[@Cumbanba6]

While serving as Secretary under President Obama, Mr. Vilsack supported chemically-dependent industrial agriculture that resulted in millions more pounds of pesticides released into the environment, contaminating our water and soils and harming human health and wildlife. In addition, during his tenure the meat industry grew larger and more concentrated, contributing to the climate crisis. Mergers in the meat industry grew larger and larger-even when huge Chinese and Brazilian operations bought up U.S. operations, Vilsack’s USDA did not protest. Vilsack supported the expansion of pesticide-promoting, genetically engineered crops, and was not a strong supporter of organic agriculture.”2. By "COMMON DREAMS" Let Mrs MARCIA FUDGE. For Agriculture Secretaria.

[@ursamagickmt672]

He was also a proponent of the industry to provide self-regulation. 🐷🐷🐷 Right. That turned out so well.

[@sonjaleesloth]

We have the technology to eliminate slaughter factories, rather hellholes on earth. It's a matter of educating the public and going into mass production. But we can use animal cells instead of animals. It will be adopted in the near future. ✊🐔🐖🐄🐂💖

[@oneexasallpower7016]

Oh boy this is Mr monsanto himself this is bad

[@dalewilson908]

It's too bad we've allowed big Corp. to take care of us-da instead of everyone being able to grow their own food.

[@patriciafaure3150]

I just hope our Government get a lot better than it has been.May God Bless America and all the people.

[@catherinerodriguez4598]

Awful pick.

[@presterjohn1697]

...more like deliberate fascism. Not a mistake. Not a accident. Not a poor choice.

[@peacedove9513]

U S FOREST SERVICE FIRE MANAGEMENT IS IN CRISIS!!!!!

[@trailerparkmark1]

good info for me...thanks

[@MrTwenty20video]

Good reporting. Thank you.

[@CplusO2]

Fast becoming my go to news- Democracy Now. Thank You all

[@presterjohn1697]

Get ready for 4 years of soft serve terminology like "Missed Opportunity" to describe full on Democrat fascism.

[@scottiejohnson2639]

Thanks for this report!

[@douglasgarner2772]

Biden continues to make poor cabinet-post choices.

[@presterjohn1697]

Our government is run by Wall Street. Poor choices have nothing to do with it. This is fascism plain and simple.

[@oldwoman2121]

Marcia Fudge was too sensible a choice?

[@curtispugh4483]

He hit the nail on the head.

[@HoneySuckle123]

Such a great speaker 👍🏽

[@yvettewilson7008]

I hope Biden listens to those around him. He is blessed to be the President elect of the USA. That's not to be taken for granted. People want change for the better of our society and ourselves Biden needs to get with that program and show "We the people " that he appreciates the opportunity we have given him. We can't grow under the same status quo. He needs to evolve past familiarity and his comfort zone and branch out to working with new people ideas and ways. He will be rewarded and so will we.

[@susannechakan4939]

NO NO NO NO NO enough of Vilsack. NO to GMO foods. We do not need GMO Food. There is enough. Natural food. Organic food is the way to our future! NO NO NO GMO food. Very disappointed. NO agribusiness!

[@louiscena4094]

With biden as our President America Has Missed A GREAT President In Bernie Sanders !

[@samreynolds3789]

SAME OLE , SAME OLE, whatever Political Party !

[@lawbanger4yahlawbanger4yah33]

Bigger picture they know who has the second largest resources next to military.

[@dr.nakazwenamwiingam-beenz3482]

My suggestion is that when we identify an issue that indirectly or directly concerns us, we should equally be able to draw down some list of solution(s). Each national is righteously for national development input. Regardless the level of academic

[@brianmckay9976]

I don't see the same food queues in Europe. How is it that the US so frequently calls itself "the richest country on earth".

[@gunkwretch102]

"missed opportunity" implies Biden has good intentions rather than cronyism ... the reality is he is taking full opportunity of Trump to provide cover for his own corruption and using Tokenism to silence criticism

[@ouimetco]

Biden is simply the lesser of two evils...disaster awaits the USA

[@jamiedale5785]

I heard this story first on Some More News with Cody Johnston. The some more news holiday special. My guy is on the ball. Watch him.

[@lawbanger4yahlawbanger4yah33]

All the stolen land. God will always intervene.

[@jdoe4650]

God unproven Mother Earth each moment is

[@presterjohn1697]

...he's a day late and a penny short. We're 500 years in on the stolen land/genocide thing. If that wasn't enough to spark a response, the appointment of Vilsack won't spur him into action either.

[@radhakrishna1845]

Hippocrates... Father of modern medicine... Do not make money in a sick room..... I want to say..... You Serve and be Served.... Don't rip off a hungry man...

[@alinemichele7486]

I agree he seems to be the wrong guy for the job.

[@soulair8081]

Terrifying and disgusting.

[@stevekim8748]

I wish healthy foods like vegetables and fruit could be subsidized more. Climate change could be improved, food insecurity, as well as the public health crises from diseases like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure but the drug and medical industries won't go for that.

[@seangadsden4858]

Yikes.

[@wmtyrance]

So Black farmers will still be screwed over by this pick. Make no mistake I am starting to dislike who Biden is picking for his cabinet. So much for his pledges to Black voters.

[@DougGrinbergs]

FDR progressive Ag Secretary Henry Wallace was key cabinet head

[@reforest4fertility]

Tell Biden to appoint Fudge. The American people must weigh in to improve Biden's judgement. Impress upon him the need to roll with the quickly changing times. He has to bend at some point...in favour of the people -- not just by having a superficially colourful cabinet.

[@reforest4fertility]

@BRIAN SCHWAGER WTF did i say -- "in favour of the people" is that what makes me selfish? Are you sure you're replying to the right comment?

[@jacquelineleitch7050]

Do you think the issue is quantity or quality? Quality agriculture is the answer. Why? Because Quality decentralizes the production of agriculture from a factory base where massive production, abuse of animals (include humans), and waste of products occurs on a daily basis. Democracy and quality in agriculture is the following: 1.Cooperative, farmer run and owned production 2.Locally sourced product 3.disenfranchise corporate welfare state of Monsanto/Bayer 4. Buy out aging out Agri-business farmers and split up the land in Cooperativist buy/use parcels. It would be a redistribution of farm land which would call out to new and organic/quality farmers. This is completely doable. Run it by a Conservative farmer near retirement and see if it isn't.

[@presterjohn1697]

Missed opportunity??? More like full throttle FASCISM.

[@lawrenceholst3808]

I believe that we should look to older people For guidance, I believe that older people and Youth, should be listening to each other very carefully,for older people this means wisdom and sincerity towards the truth Is the utmost highest priority . that youth be Woven together carefully crafted within the society with elders they can easily establish a firm bond needed to overcome obstacles, within society, there will be safety unity and preservation of life municipalities Conserving good Life Will outweigh any harm and increase safety. People can live and learn without fear More safety and protection and protection from predators funded by usury financier.the Peoples honor can be restored,After being corrupted, they’re wealth protected and Dignity amongst people!Wide spread.

[@AntonioGarmsci-cy5vt]

Capitalism and filthy capitalists are the crisis!!!

[@carpenterroofer1561]

Where's hunter and the big guy

[@rodneyboone7652]

Ill Tom Vilsac is the wrong pick!!!!

[@bubbiesdad]

So, her main qualification is her race?

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

Strange cabinet appointments.

[@crhu319]

Not strange for corporate fascists.

[@highvibee]

Well, this is Capitalism in a nutshell, and Trump 2.0 will not help you, but he’s willing to “understand your problem” Not solve it... You’re on your own - Greetings Obiden

[@jamarr81]

The fact that neo-liberals and neo-conservatives align somewhat on agricultural is not surprising to anyone that's studied history. This disappointing state absolutely does not equate the Democratic party to the Republican party. There are deep, vast, objective differences between the two parties. To assume that both should be diametrically opposed on _every_ issue is not just ignorant, it is grossly naive. There are a vast array of reasons/issues justifying electing a Biden administration over a Trump administration. To think otherwise is to admit your own shallow ignorance on the whole. This particular result is certainly disappointing; but don't equate the two.

[@v1v2x3]

He should have picked Hunter Biden for this position.

[@kpax45]

No Biden is not going to hire all his family that was Trump!!

[@GigiloveRB777]

@@kpax45 also hunter is a crack head i don't think I would hire him even if he was my own blood

[@ИгорьОлексенко-п6к]

Когда в дверь стучится голод, любовь прыгает в окно.

[@AudioPervert1]

"could play a major role" ... Speculative at best ... Yet we know well where thee loyalty of most americans is at ... life$tyle (that too trash mostly)

[@antoniussamuelson3748]

At least he can do a job not like trump almost do nothing in 4 years.

[@Sandalwoodsunshine]

You’re stuck in stupid

[@antoniussamuelson3748]

@@Sandalwoodsunshine looks like you are stuck in stupid. That's funny because you say i'm stupid but you support the dumbest leader in the world name trump. Trump supporters are the most uneducated people that i've ever seen in my life. They aren't different with ISIS by carrying pipe bombs into capitol and being guns into rally. Maybe you are one of them you TRAITOR.

[@Sandalwoodsunshine]

@@antoniussamuelson3748 yep just as I suspected- stuck on stupid. Bless your heart

[@antoniussamuelson3748]

@@Sandalwoodsunshine poor you trumpers. American people hate you now. And you become a mice and FBI become a hungry cat. Goodbye.

[@ChazAldrin]

Here come the Meat haters. They want us to eat Bugs

[@salleee]

OMG I’m on the fearporn channel.

[@ursamagickmt672]

Sorry, Sal. Go back to sleep. 💤🙈

[@sonjaleesloth]

Fear of the truth?

[@ВладимирКасаточкин-ю5о]

Мухина либо очки наденьте либо посуду мойте