Presidential hopeful Pat Buchanan visited northern Louisiana cotton farmers
Thursday and promised to push changes in the United States’ trade policy with China
if he’s elected.
"The reason 600,000 acres of cotton have been pulled from production and farmers
are going bankrupt at record rates is because of a trade policy that puts Communist China
ahead of the United States of America," Buchanan said while en route to a campaign
visit in Shreveport.
"I will change that policy to make sure foreign imports will not be allowed to
kill" northern Louisiana farmers’ livelihoods, he said.
"I think they believe me," he said. "It’s a message I’ve taken
to America for seven years, and we’re gaining ground with it. Economic patriotism is
going to replace economic globalism. It’s the philosophy of the future."
Buchanan also visited briefly with students from St. Frederick’s High School and
Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School.
He was asked about his opinions on the air strikes in Kosovo and the health of the
nation’s economy.
"The war in Kosovo is not America’s war," Buchanan said.
"I, unlike Gov. Bush, oppose American ground troops in Kosovo and will fight to
bring our troops home," he said.
Texas Gov. George W. Bush and former Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole so far are
considered the Republican front-runners to seize the White House in 2000.
Buchanan also was the featured guest for a town meeting at the Catfish Cabin, a local
lunch spot, and planned to discuss "Clinton’s war in Kosovo" further during
a rally and town meeting later in Shreveport.
On Wednesday, Buchanan preached to the choir, touting moral decay in America before a
crowd of 250 at Christian Life Church in Monroe.
Buchanan said the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision, which gave women the
legal right to an abortion, was the first step in "taking down walls of moral
strength."
"It gave women a right that isn’t in the Constitution of the United
States," he said.
And though the Supreme Court gave women the right, "it didn’t order the
abortions. That’s a decision that came from the hearts of men and women in America.
And that’s where the change has to happen. We have to bring people back to
faith," Buchanan said.
In the audience was Diane Spillers, her husband Jim and their 10 children. She said
Buchanan was the third presidential candidate they’ve heard this year.
"We want to see what each of them have to say, especially on family issues,"
Diane Spillers said.
"He’s right," she added. "You can’t make laws to change the
hearts of America. Without strong moral structure, our country is lost."
Richard Wheatley, an usher at the church, said he remembers Buchanan’s first
appearance at the church four years ago.
"I’d seen him on "Crossfire" and liked what he said. He’s like
I am," said Wheatley. "He’s from the old school -- strong morals and a
strong military."
Buchanan said U.S. military forces should be nowhere near the civil war in Kosovo.
"There’s no viable American interest in that area," Buchanan said.
We allow our decisions to be based on what the United Nations and NATO want and not
what’s the best interest of America," he said.
