Reporting on the Rio Grande

For the last two weeks the United States of America's federal government has been working with a short term budget that will end March 18 and President Obama is upset as the House and Senate grapple with the time limited budget compromise to fund the government through September 30.

Both parties are blaming each other and if a compromise is not in the works the United States government is not going to be able to provide services that are needed throughout the county. Government jobs are going to be cut and that will leave families and government workers in limbo.

The gridlock comes as the Republican controlled House has come up with 4 billion in spending cuts. The Democrat run Senate is fighting over how much to cut. Its obvious people are going to lose out on a lot of money. Promises are going to be broken and probably dream plans are going to be put on the shelf if nobody gets their way on Capitol Hill.

The most recent government shutdown came in 1995 when the Republican controlled Congress would not come to terms with President Clintons' veto on spending for public health, education, Medicare and the environment.

Not putting forth a plan is only adding to our national debt and any recovery from a $1.2 trillion dollar deficit.

It's been known that Obama had inherited a national debt that is in the trillions and that his stimulus package also added to the debt but it was a good call in light of all the government bailouts that have passed with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the automobile industry. At least the government gave a little piece of the pie to those that actually filled out the paper work for a meager $500 to $3,000 dollars and home or vehicle credits from Obama's Stimulus Package worth $787 billion.

If a resolution is not set for the government’s budget we are going to see some massive shutdowns of national parks, postal service, national museums and much more that will hurt the citizens of America.

It’s time to get mad folks; it’s time to come away from the TV and really get involved with what is going on. Letters must be sent, visits to local senators and representatives offices must be made so a positive outcome will be realized. Congress needs to make a decision on the government's budget. I don’t want to find out I just traveled so far to see what’s in the Smithsonian Museum or trek along the grand canyon only to find them closed to the public. Now that’s not right, that’s just not right. Hurry up congress before your constituents hurry up and vote you out.

By Raul Garcia Jr.

Future Farmers of America from around the state are prepping and getting ready to load their farm animals for the 72nd annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show slated for March 11- 20 in Mercedes.

“Everybody has a good time at stock show because it has the so many vendors, a museum, animals and carnival, so there is a little bit for everyone,” said Doug Meyer, Agriculture Science teacher for Mercedes High School. “Competition at the stock show is going to be real tough this year because there’s going to be a lot of animals and there has been a lot of bragging going on.”

The event will exhibit bulls, hogs, rabbits, goats, sheep, poultry and more for market and breeding competitions and everyone plans to win Grandmaster status and take home a cash prize.

Mercedes will have 32 entries in the competition this year Meyer said.

Mercedes High School sophomore Javier Garcia will be competing in Zube Bull and Market Goat Open Jr. Events. It’s his second year in FFA and he said he has a new outlook and experience for this year competition.
“I feel I will do better this year,” Garcia said. “I have been working with my animals for four hours a day for this year’s stock show.”

He said he plans to pay attention to the judges for showmanship and that over all FFA taught him a lot about responsibility, leadership and life skills.

Former Mercedes FFA student Naria Aguillar now has two children that have been around the Agriculture Farm since joining FFA when they were nine-years-old and says she is happy that they have taken a special interest in raising livestock.

“I was raised with FFA and we instilled it into our kids and I’m amazed that our children love it,” Aguillar said. “My daughter has already won Grand Champion for Breeders Guild and won a cash prizes close to $900 dollars.”

The stock show is a destination for family fun. Take a ride on the zipper, find your way through the fun house, win big prizes playing carnival games and enjoy the livestock.