AMENIA, N.D. - I'd like to invite Sen. Ted Cruz to tour the farmer-owned American Crystal Sugar factory in Moorhead this weekend with our cooperative's CEO David Berg.
The freshman senator from Texas will be the keynote speaker at the North Dakota Republican Party Convention this weekend in Fargo.
That speech should directly engage North Dakotans in the presidential election. Coverage of a tour of that factory would provide all valley residents a chance to discuss where candidates such as Cruz stand on issues of critical importance.
Cruz has taken stands that would directly hurt farmers, bankers and seed, fertilizer, pesticide, fuel and equipment dealers; as well as crop insurance and many other repair and service industries up and down the valley.
First, he voted to oppose the 2014 Farm Bill that provides a crucial safety net for farmers and rural communities.
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Second, he has gone on record saying he would end the sugar program. That program operates at no cost to taxpayers and supports 142,000 jobs in 20 states that deliver a $20 billion impact.
The program does this while keeping America as the second-largest sugar importing country in the world and letting American farmers compete for a percentage of our sugar market, in spite of all the dumped sugar from countries such as Brazil, India, Thailand, and in the near future, possibly Cuba.
Cruz would get to meet some of those sugar beet farmers, factory workers and truck drivers on his factory tour. Berg is the perfect spokesperson for our farmer-owned cooperative and the thousands of Americans who deliver pure and natural sugar to our nation.
Then it would be up to the farmers, bankers and others who are delegates to the convention to convey how important the Farm Bill and sugar program are to North Dakota and Minnesota.
Let's try to make a difference this weekend.
Editor's note: Hejl is from Amenia, N.D.
