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Voter: Obama’s Plan for the Heartland is real leadership
The plan for the heartland rests in the hand on one candidate for President of the United States – Sen. Barack Obama.

It is my pleasure to salute his work as an Illinois State Senator and as a U.S. Senator. Sen. Obama stands ready to serve this nation in this extreme time of necessary leadership.

As an educated citizen of the State of Indiana, an informed voter and a committed livestock producer, I would like to share with you Sen. Obama’s Plan for the Heartland. Sen. Obama is a committed Christian and a devoted husband and father. I applaud his faith and his steadfast commitment to family during his time of public service. To me, that is real leadership.

In the last few weeks, Americans across the country have heard the rhetoric from politicians in Washington about protecting the nation’s economic future. Sen. Obama is on the ground each day visiting with and learning from U.S. citizens whose lives are impacted by the downturn in the economy.

He is listening to Americans, while at the same time representing the state of Illinois as a U.S. Senator. To me, that is real leadership.

As a farmer, Sen. Obama wants to maintain a robust safety net for farmers that appropriately targets farm programs. He also will make certain to help farmers secure access to fair markets. Sen. Obama supported the Country of Origin Labeling legislation that is so important to America’s meat industry. To me, that is real leadership.

As a lifelong resident in rural Hancock County, I know Sen. Obama will invest in rural communities and its infrastructure, like that needed in our county. Sen. Obama will help improve rural infrastructure he will increase the availability of high speed internet access and cell phone services, and he will support small rural businesses. To me, that is real leadership.

As a daughter and sister of educators, and now a mother of a kindergartener, I truly understand how important education is to one’s livelihood. Sen. Obama is committed to paying teachers more, rewarding teachers who help student achieve in the classroom, and making certain the high need subjects like math and science remain a vital part of the fabric of rural school corporations. To me, that is real leadership.

Agriculture and rural are not synonymous, but they certainly work hand-in-glove.

As a Midwestern state senator, Sen. Obama knows the need to grow more American renewable fuels. Sen. Obama has and will continue to help farmers take advantage of the emerging renewable energy industry, including solar and wind.

He introduced legislation with Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) to dramatically increase the domestic production, distribution and use of ethanol and biodiesel. Sen. Obama also voted to create the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2005. To me, that is real leadership.

Open spaces and protecting wildlife habitat are important issues for rural areas of a state. Sen. Obama is supportive of sound science in the development of regulations over the environment and making certain the regulations are reasonable, while at the same time offering incentives for the regulated community to consider. To me, that is real leadership.

Finally, as the state of Indiana prepares for several hunting seasons this fall and winter, it is reassuring to know that Sen. Obama will respect the rights of sportsman. He will protect the rights of hunters and other lawful gun owners while making certain that guns to not fall into the hands of criminals or terrorists. To me, that is real leadership.

I hope you agree with me that Sen. Obama does have a plan for the heartland, for agriculture, for rural areas of the state, and for the entire United States of America. Please join me in casting your vote for Barack Obama – as the next President of the United States.

Julia Wickard
Hancock County, Ind.
10/8/2008