I Like Hank Gilbert

Maybe it's because I'm older and grew up in a rural enviornment, but I don't like this recent trend Texas has had of putting city-dwellers in charge of the Agriculture Department. I know they're supposed to understand the consumer end of agriculture, but this is no feat - we're all consumers, even rural people. We all shop for groceries, clothing, etc. We all see the price tags. But few people understand the hardships endured by our farmers and ranchers. You'd have to spend some time in rural Texas to fully understand. That's why I think our Agriculture Commissioner should have a farming or ranching background. Of course, the best of all worlds would be to have someone who understood both the producing and the business sides of agriculture.

I think Texas Democrats have found someone who understands all of the aspects of agriculture. He is Hank Gilbert and he is their candidate for Agriculture Commissioner. I had the pleasure of meeting Hank at the Blogger's Caucus last weekend and I was very impressed. Hank is the kind of guy who's not afraid to look you in the eye and tell you the truth. He's also no stranger to honesty and hard work. He has been a rancher, teacher, and a businessman. This gives him the experience to deal with all aspects of Texas agriculture.

A Texas A & M graduate, Hank Gilbert has come up with a smart and agressive plan to make the Agriculture Department serve all Texans. Here are some of the things he would like to do:

* Ensure a fair property tax system by restructuring the land appraisal process.

* Enhance Texas water conservation programs.

* Expand global marketing of Texas agricultural products.

* Enforce weights & measurements certification to insure Texans get their money's worth at the grocery store and the gas pump.

* Revitalize agribusiness, ag communities, and rural businesses throughout Texas for future generations.

* Pledge to all Texans to stay as Ag Commissioner for a long-term approach to our problems. He won't abandon us with the job half-done to seek some other office. As his literature says, "It's the only job he wants."

If you want your next Agriculture Commissioner to be a creative, honest, hard-working, straight-shooter, then I have the candidate for you - Hank Gilbert.