Business

‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers?

Labor Department Executes Hot Goods Order on Oregon FarmersOregon farmers and state officials are furious with the U.S. Labor Department after federal authorities in July put a hold on thousands of dollars worth of blueberries, citing “widespread” record-keeping and minimum wage violations, Eric Mortenson reports for The Oregonian.

“[T]he department invoked a “hot goods” provision of labor law that prohibited shipment of the berries. Labor officials also notified wholesalers that berries from the farms would be subject to the order and should not be processed or shipped,” according to the report.

“Hot goods” orders are used by the department’s Wage and Hour Division to halt the production and/or sale of goods its believes were produced in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

But here‘s what has members of Oregon’s congressional delegation and the Oregon Farm Bureau particularly disturbed: The federal agency told the farmers that they could make everything go away if they paid “a fine and back wages and sign a consent judgment admitting wrong and agreeing not to contest the order even if subsequent information exonerated the farms.”

It’s “extortion,” said Greg Ditchen whose farm had to pay $169,816 in back wages and penalties. He had no other choice. It was either that or let his crops go to waste.

“They put a hot goods order on our fruit, and after they had the money they said we had to sign a paper saying we were wrong,” Ditchen said. “We had to make a business decision and sign the paper.”

And he wasn’t the only farmer to take a hit.

“A second farm, E&S Farms Inc. of Woodburn, paid $11,301 in back wages and a $10,500 penalty. Earlier this month, the Department of Labor said Pan-American Berry Growers of Salem signed a consent order to pay $41,778 in back wages and a $7,040 civil penalty,” Mortenson reports.

Since imposing the heavy-handed fees and giving the growers no other choice but to pay them, Oregon’s labor commissioner, agriculture director, and members of the state’s congressional delegation have demanded the labor department explain itself.

Labor Department Executes Hot Goods Order on Oregon Farmers

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis pauses during a news conference at the G20 Labor and Employment Ministers Meeting at the Labor Department on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian told the fed agency in a letter that they most likely violated the constitutional search and seizure and due process rights of farmers “who have yet to be found guilty of anything.”

As for members of the Oregon’s congressional delegation, they told the feds in a letter that the agency “may have abandoned normal due process mechanisms,“ adding that ”hot goods“ orders are reserved specifically for cases in which labor violations are ”willful, egregious and/or repeated.”

Senators Ron Wyden (D) and Jeff Merkley (D) signed the letter, as did representatives Kurt Schrader (D), Peter DeFazio (D), Greg Walden (R), and Suzanne Bonamici (D).

“This appears to be a very heavy handed approach,” said Oregon Agriculture Department Director Katy Coba, adding that the fed agency is using the “hot goods” provision “as a first step in the compliance process instead of the last resort.”

A U.S. Labor spokesperson declined to comment on the details of the ordeal.

And what do you think this sort of heavy-handed enforcement will encourage the farm owners to do? Switch over to mechanical harvesters, of course.

“It’s not the labor,” said Ditchen, “it‘s the people who come out and tell us we’re doing wrong.”

 Click here to read the full report.

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

Front page photo courtesy the AP.

Comments (301)

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  • KeithOlberdink
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:42pm

    The thought police appreicates your concern and ask that you obey your grand master – Lord Obama.

    …Now pay your fine, bow your head and praise the State, in accordance to – Lord Obama.

    Report Post » KeithOlberdink  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:52pm

      The communists wil first try to starve us of our energy needs, then they will move onto the food supply…… But it’s all for a global good………they have successfully forced our industry overseas……..we better wake up and realize, our founders spoke and wrote of enemies foreign AND DOMESTIC……..they are trying to bring America to her knees…………….and our founders gave us the tools to STOP THEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and this November We Begin to do just THAT ………

      Report Post »  
    • lefty5005
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:54pm

      Oregon, state of Greenpeace, flower children, runners and cyclers, big blue state. You voted for it now you have to live it. Sometimes you get what you asked for. Vote Romney/Ryan and help take the country back with the rest of us.

       
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:28pm

      And if you remember this communist labor dept. put forth a directive three months ago that children were no longer allowed to work on family farms, do you remember that ??????? Because they want ALL children to become as lazy and welfare addicted as urban children, since that has worked out for the youth here in Detroit………”……….”……..”……….”.they are trying to destroy us, so wake up and smell the communism before its to late……PLEASE !

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:33pm

      It’s about time for the pitchforks to be sharpened. Solis should be the one to go collect the money personally. Just another example of Barry’s heavy handed approach to American business. She and anyone who has their name printed on ANY of these bills should go to prison.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • RLTW
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:42pm

      From a progressive POV it makes sense because most farmland in OR is in the conservative eastern part of the state, those people must be controlled.

      Report Post »  
    • just the facts
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:46pm

      This country is hemorrhaging and barry really has to go after the money. Remember, his overall plan is to redistribute the wealth and if that means people going out of business to do so, well, it doesn’t matter to this guy. barry says one thing but means and does the other. All one needs to do is to look back these last 4 years. The proof is all around – you cannot hide from it.

      If an idividual creates a business, they will pay for it….litterally. progressivism demands this – socialism their model.

      Report Post »  
    • yougottabekidding
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 4:07pm

      How could it be legal to extort money and say you have no regress?
      That belongs in the. Supreme Court under an emergency session

      Report Post »  
    • smv803
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 6:06pm

      Come November, we can right a wrong or in this case, the left. Let’s make certain these jackals are prevented from public office for many years. We can not ever again drop the ball and let these socialist get a foot in the door……..ever!.

      Report Post » smv803  
    • patriot2867
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 6:20pm

      And they will keep doing it as long as it works! If all those businessess had refused to comply, gone public with it, hired lawyers, and shipped the fruit anyhow the labor dept may well have had to back down. Seriously, people need to stop letting themselves be bullied by our “servants”.

      Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 6:54pm

      Secretary Hilda Solis: http://www.jewishlaborcommittee.org/2009/02/jlc_supports_hilda_solis_for_s.html

      Report Post »  
    • Fatheroftwo
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 6:55pm

      This is what happens when you are a sanctuary State and all those illegals want their fair share!!!

      Report Post »  
    • I_KNEW_Youd_Say_That
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 7:26pm

      OFFICIAL: “I hereby inform you under powers entrusted to me under Section 47, Paragraph 7 of Council Order Number 438476, that Mr. Buttle, Archibald, residing at 412 North Tower, Shangri La Towers, has been invited to assist the Ministry of Information with certain enquiries, the nature of which may be ascertained on completion of application form BZ/ST/486/C fourteen days within this date, and that he is liable to certain obligations as specified in Council Order 173497, including financial restitutions which may or may not be incurred if Information Retrieval procedures beyond those incorporated in Article 7 subsections 8, 10 & 32 are required to elicit information leading to permanent arrest notification of which will he served with the time period of 5 working days as stipulated by law. In that instance the detainee will be debited without further notice through central banking procedures without prejudice until and unless at such a time when re-imbursement procedures may be instituted by you or third parties on completion of a re-imbursement form RB/CZ/907/X.
      Sign here please.
      Same again please. Just there. Press harder his time. Good.
      That’s your receipt for your husband. Thank you.
      And this is my receipt for your receipt.”
      -this should’ve been “Brazil”, starring Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, and Robert De Niro
      -it’s now “America”, starring you and me

      Report Post » I_KNEW_Youd_Say_That  
    • jimtrees
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 7:44pm

      Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of douchebags.

      Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 8:50pm

      They had a choice…they should have shipped the berries anyway. Any dept of labor enforcer should have had their legs broken for interfering with said shipments. If the unions can do it so can these business people. Friggin communist need to be purged.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 9:08pm

      More of UN Agenda 21?

      Report Post » NHwinter  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 9:18pm

      @DetroitPaperboy
      Those were my thoughts exactly. They’ve gotten away with it too. Look for this to happen to ALL American Farm Produce and/or crops. (At a stepped up rate if they’re not re-elected!)

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 9:21pm

      @Detroit paperboy
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:28pm

      And if you remember this communist labor dept. put forth a directive three months ago that children were no longer allowed to work on family farms, do you remember that ??????? Because they want ALL children to become as lazy and welfare addicted as urban children, since that has worked out for the youth here in Detroit………”……….”……..”……….”.they are trying to destroy us, so wake up and smell the communism before its to late……PLEASE
      ***
      Actually the exact SAME directive has now been put out by 5 different Federal Agencies, each time your farm organizations contact Congress and they lift it, just to have it show up somewhere else. Dept of Labor was one of the first ones I think.

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 9:25pm

      @yougottabekidding
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 4:07pm

      How could it be legal to extort money and say you have no regress?
      That belongs in the. Supreme Court under an emergency session
      ***
      Didn’t Justice Roberts (really losing caps fast) just write in a majority opinion that it‘s NOT SCOTUS’ job to protect us from our political choices? DO YOU REALLY EXPECT THIS TO BE LESS LEGAL THAN OBAMACARE?

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • ConservativeMomofFour
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 2:42am

      I hope when Romney gets into office his administration will file criminal charges against Obama and his administration. Extortion, Treason, Sedition etc. etc. etc.

      Report Post »  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 3:19am

      ANYONE who votes for this party/this idiot again deserves what they may get. HOW much more do these jerks have to do to prove that they are just

      trying

      to

      break

      our

      backs

      and

      our

      spirits?

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
    • Val_Dragon
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 7:32am

      Obamas biological father is Frank Marshal Davis.

      http://Www.obamasrealfather.com

      Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 8:19am

      @ NH Winter

      You are right and it is becoming a global problem. We have it here as well.

      The United Nations is the elephant in the room.

      Report Post »  
    • KristinsMishmash
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 9:07am

      And they wonder why nobody is hiring?

      Report Post »  
    • oldguy77
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 10:54am

      Ever read a story and wonder what is going on?Type in the name Hilda Solis secretary of agriculture for the answear.Turns out she is “Latina”.Just protecting the folks doing what lazy americans wont do.Sorta like the cop in Anchorage Alaska who was going to be made chief of police until they did a background check and found he was a mexican with stolen ID.After six years on the force.

      Report Post »  
    • fightingforfreedom
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 10:58am

      yep I would do the same automatic harvester eliminate the person, the job. end of story. just like the unions……..if a union wanted in my business, and the workers wanted it I would say fine……then turn around and close my doors and move some where else. People have to take a stand and say enough is enough. These public servants work for us not the other way around. we need to fire them all….

      Report Post »  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 12:40pm

      @DetroitPaperboy This is the most important story I have seen lumped in with who was best at the convention, Republican party should use this story over and over. It has many facets: small business, regulations and black mail (penalty, sure), state’s rights, and understand your frustration but it seems a little late. Have prayed for years my fellow Americans would wake up and many have. We have made up our minds for the most part. This story could be used to underscore we are going to be a country of communists or what ever one calls it or the free country that was given by our founders.

      Report Post »  
    • 19RANDY59
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 12:56pm

      This is why we all need to be mindful of who we vote into local positions. Stop voting for idiots who (sorry, I’ll be nice) city councils, county supervisors, and sheriffs, who take Federal, and State funds, and allow these bogus agencies (I.R.S. F.T.B. E.P.A. F.B.I. A.T.F. AND MANY MORE) to come in and ransack peoples lives without due process of law. these Agencies are DOMESTIC ENEMIES!!!

      Report Post » 19RANDY59  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 1:10pm

      @DetroitPaperboy The other comment I wrote as in response to you 2nd comment. I just read your first and it is clear—we are in such deep trouble, we have to win this election. When I understood how they were doing this world thing was when I researched Kraft Foods Jimmy Dean Foods and story on the Blaze about the CEO of Coke. And then read about the World Bank chief officer is appointed by our President and out moneys distributed by our state dept. Now, I am a neophyte just a plain old Texan who cried for my country 3 years ago. Anyone who wants should read some of this and I will stand corrected if I am wrong. The story of the Amish is also a part of this clamp down and not just a nudge as Glenn has said but an outrageous abuse of the Constitution. Read up on some of the countries the state dept. sends our moneys to, check South America. There is a list probably on C-Span. I also followed the hearings when the choice to give Palestine our moneys for human rights and was shocked. I thought I was watching the UN in action. If it quacks it’s a duck.

      Report Post »  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 2:00pm

      THAT IS NOT ALL…

      The farmers must submit their wives and children to a TSA genital groping search and Xray scan just because the Government can make them. A TSA genital groping search will soon be required for everything including buying postage stamps. We may one day cheer the arrival of Chinese troops as our liberator.

      Report Post »  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 2:04pm

      If they refuse their crops will rot in the ground. Oregon does not have a armed State Militia to defend their people against the Rouge Government forces. Each State should begin calling for volunteers to defend their states against the armed insurrection of the Rogue Government State in Washington. November is not going to change anything.

      Report Post »  
    • I_KNEW_Youd_Say_That
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 2:43pm

      Val_Dragon – “Obamas biological father is Frank Marshal Davis. http://Www.obamasrealfather.com ”

      I’m not so sure about that … especially with Obama’s own quote:

      AP declares Obama Kenyan-Born (And 2008 AP Story Repeats the Claim)
      http://thepostnemail.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/ap-declares-obama-kenyan-born/

      “What most people know is that the Associated Press (AP) is one of the largest, internationally recognized, syndicated news services. … in a syndicated report, published Sunday, June 27, 2004, by the Kenyan Standard Times, … ‘Kenyan-born US Senate hopeful, Barrack Obama, appeared set to take over the Illinois Senate seat after his main rival, Jack Ryan, dropped out of the race on Friday night amid a furor over lurid sex club allegations.’”

      “This report explains the context of the oft cited debate, between Obama and Keyes in the following Fall, in which Keyes faulted Obama for not being a “natural born citizen”, and in which Obama, by his quick retort, “So what? I am running for Illinois Senator, not the presidency”, self-admitted that he was not eligible for the office.”

      Report Post » I_KNEW_Youd_Say_That  
    • BIG MAZ
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 4:25pm

      The farmers should have loaded all their blueberries up and stacked them at the white house gate.

      Report Post »  
    • seanscythe
      Posted on September 2, 2012 at 7:50am

      I just find it hard to care about someone forced to pay a fine when they employ Illegal aliens to begin with. They should have hired Americans to begin with or mechanical equipment, serves them for being greedy. Lets see if they donate to the DNC this time even though that’s what all that money will be used for anyway.

      Report Post » seanscythe  
    • oldguy77
      Posted on September 2, 2012 at 3:16pm

      Would it surprise anyone to know who the Secretary of Labor is?Hilda Solis, Would it further suprise you to know she is Mexican American?Or that she once sat on the board of LA RAZA?Who better to over see farm workers and their rights?All this information is on your computer,you just have to look it up.

      Report Post »  
    • WATER-THE-TREE
      Posted on September 2, 2012 at 4:50pm

      JUST THE FACTS……. His overall plan is to DESTROY this country, speading the wealth is just one of his tools to this end!!

      Report Post » WATER-THE-TREE  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:37pm

    Thug Nation.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
    • THX-1138
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:46pm

      It’s the Chicago Way. (Oops, Now they know I’m racist.)

      Report Post » THX-1138  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 6:11pm

      There HAS to be a claim for economic duress to viod the agreement. Economic duress is hard to establish, but this is simply so far out there that it should be pursued.

      Report Post »  
    • stablepar
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 2:15pm

      boo hoo the left feeding on the left. never saw this coming

      Report Post »  
  • blazingaway
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:35pm

    The federal government needs to get the “F” out of our life.
    Their logic would allow people to starve to death and for perfectly good food to rot if no one was willing to pay for labor at the wages the “F”ing Federal Government demands.
    I am so sick and tired of the government getting into everyone’s life and expecting everyone but them to pay for their choices. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NO MONEY FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT THEY TAKE FROM YOU AND ME AND THEN USE IT TO CONTROL YOU AND ME. WE NEED TO STOP ALLOWING THEM TO TAKE FROM US THEN THEY WON”T BE ABLE TO FUNCTION AND WILL HAVE TO GET THE HELL OUT OF OUR LIFE

    Report Post » blazingaway  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:34pm

    This has the fingerprints of Barry all over it !!!

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:31pm

    First electricity and now watch our cost of fruit skyrocket.

    Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:43pm

      But, but…. Michele told me I “had” to eat more fruit.

      She didn’t say that the Government would step in and take a cut of the profits before I could eat them.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • IMCHRISTIAN
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:18pm

      Monk—– lol I imagine there are kickbacks that we will never know about.

      Report Post »  
    • pissantno.10
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 8:57pm

      hey dem are going to be goverment farms. it be the only way. and you better pay if youns wants to eat

      Report Post »  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:31pm

    Government isnt the answer. Its the problem. You know who pays those fees in the end? We do.

    Report Post » Mutiny  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:29pm

    The Government is trying to tell us what to buy, what to eat, what to drink, etc. Now they want to take away the vitamins that are in fruit which will not help our health. God help us if they get more and more control over our lives. Vote Romney.

    Report Post »  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:33pm

      LOL, yeah Mitt has been all about the government being hands off.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • edcoil
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:36pm

      The nazi’s had more freedom then Americans today. Who won the war?

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:36pm

      Mitt has only been Gov of a state. Ron Paul has been part of the Federal Gov, along with his Earmark buddy Barry. Just who is really responsible.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Big69Kahuna
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 8:33pm

      @I’mChritian… Sorry brother but Barry has already accomplished that with his executive order on 8/2/12, TX congresswoman Kay Bailey Hutchinson tried to warn us http://kaygranger.house.gov/weekly-enewsletter-executive-order-you-should-know-about
      A must read for anyone who cares about our country and constitution.

      Report Post »  
    • TXBadOneToo
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 3:03am

      Don’t forget what the Feds did the Central Valley in CA.. ever heard of the Delta Smelt? 10′s of thousands of farm acres left without water and families (farmers and their employees) lined up for handouts..

      As most of you say – I agree that that is Obama’s end game. Sad.

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 5:43am

      MUTINY but the GOOD news is: Now that the convention is over we don’t have to ever hear from Ron Paul again.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • voting-for-romney
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:26pm

    In my neighborhood, where I grew up Mr. Intellect Joe Biden, we did not tell fibs? I looked at the web site of Mitt Romney, have you? I don’t see more of the same “increasing regulations, fines and taxes on businesses”? I don‘t see the pursuit of an energy policy that will leave all the bloggers sitting at their parent’s home, in their basements, at their computers, living in mortal fear of rolling energy black outs, and they will not see the posters of their North Korean Leader on the wall?

    In my neighborhood, we used to crack jokes about old people that see imaginary things? Sorry Joe, I can’t think of a three letter word other than “lie” when you say “more of the same”?

    No jobs is not a three letter word, but God has a mysterious way of working sometimes, don’t you think? What a cool, awesome God we have?

    Report Post »  
  • ScribblerG
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:22pm

    Strangely, this article doesn’t contain one factual assessment of the charges against these farmers. Did they indeed violate the Fair Labor act? I know it’s fashionable to think of any law enforcement activity that the Obama admin engages in as fascism on this site, but it seems to me that it matters very much what the factual basis is here. If that guys really was underpaying his laborers, well I could care less about his business, he should lose his farm for exploiting people. Or are these charges trumped up? I mean, it’s not cold fusion, right? Every business keeps these records – hours worked and wages paid, it should be able to be figured out in one simple conversation. Just sayin…

    Report Post »  
    • crazyrightwingmom
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:37pm

      I imagine the farmers were behind in their bills….like millions of us are. Trying to keep their heads above water!

      Report Post »  
    • iblvingd
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:49pm

      Key words here, it “believes” they were in violation. Now if they said they had done a wage audit and found that they were in violation, this would be a believable cause. The Governments ability to strong arm through accusing without proof is, only more proof of communistic our government is getting.

      Report Post »  
    • Hiswill
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:54pm

      They key words here are: “who have yet to be found guilty of anything.”

      ” Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian was the most direct. In an Aug. 15 letter to the federal agency, he said seizing perishable crops probably violates the constitutional search and seizure and due process rights of farmers “who have yet to be found guilty of anything”

      Report Post » Hiswill  
    • iblvingd
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:56pm

      I would think that all states have their own Department of Labor who controls all this stuff. Why is the Government Dept of Labor breathing down the necks of individuals?

      Report Post »  
    • john luther
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:41pm

      Read the whole article because it does .If this was not following due process why would the require them to pay the money then sign something saying they would not fight it even if the evidence showed they did nothing wrong .Is that how it works now. .This might not be facism but it is extortion and you defend it.It is really sad that thing like this occur and because you have a certian party you support it is just fine.Tell if this was the bush administration you would be crying about the facist administration all day long .

      Report Post »  
    • scinqmars
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 4:21pm

      If these businesses were in actual violation, why not charge them with a crime, take them to court, and fine them accordingly? Second, what about illegal search and seizure? I didn’t see anything stating that the Feds had a warrant from a judge to seize, detain, or delay shipment. These are perishable goods and have a very short shelf life. So what were they supposed to do, refuse to pay and let their livelihood rot. Third why would the Feds make them sign a paper stating that even if new evidence comes to light that proves their innocent they will wave their right to appeal. What the heck is this the Fascists States of America, where the government mob can extort money and property away from its citizens without due process and without appeal? I am really beginning to hate this tyrannical fascist dictatorship that has abandoned the constitution. We have become Rome, where we have the appearance of a republic but in reality we have a government mafia, run by just another dictator.

      Report Post »  
    • Woodhead
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 5:01pm

      Government agencies do not need proof. They take what they want and YOU have to pay throuugh the nose for a hearing to get your property back. This is the premise on which the irs operates. If it had been a lib area (check how much Pelosi pays her laborers)the government would never have shown up.

      Report Post »  
    • Octeract
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 7:08pm

      This was the economic equivalent of beating a confession out of someone. Plead guilty of suffer immediate pain.

      Report Post »  
    • Belwraith
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 8:43pm

      If the farmers and the laborers agreed on a wage, and the laborers were paid the wage that was agreed upon, then the Feds should butt out…period.

      Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 9:01pm

      Innocent until proven guilty. They never had a day in court to address the issue, and it should not involve putting a hold on perishable goods, or blocking them from receiving damages when and if the charges were later proven false.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:18pm

    One more example of the Federals Government out of control.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • momrules
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:16pm

    The heavy hand of government enacting Agenda 21. Soon all farms will be in the hands of the Communist American government. Control the food and water and they control the country.

    Report Post »  
  • Brushjumper
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:15pm

    More of the Failed President ******** and his cronies… America cannot wait to defeat this liar and chief.

    Report Post » Brushjumper  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:13pm

    Go ahead Oregon and vote for him again you idiots

    Report Post »  
    • Chromo200
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:22pm

      But Obama is so nice a pretty that is why people are going to vote for him.

      Report Post »  
  • chips1
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:13pm

    When dealing with the government, cash only and don’t sign anything. Sell the farms back to the people and no more corporations. Families can operate them and do a much better job. Supply and demand only.

    Report Post »  
  • elosogrande
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:09pm

    This has to be thoroughly investigated, and if found to be illegal, everyone involved, from The Secretary on down must be prosecuted. Anyone found guilty, they should go to jail.

    Report Post »  
    • cubber
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:14pm

      Legal, smegal. They are wrong and should go away somewhere, anywhere.

      Report Post » cubber  
  • watersRpeople
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:08pm

    The American farmer is a money grubbing sloth who takes free money so the more broad price of food is increased.

    Report Post »  
    • TreeTrimmerJim
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:24pm

      I take it you have no farming experience.

      Report Post » TreeTrimmerJim  
    • jcldwl
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:38pm

      You are a sad sad person. Try God He will cheer up your sad little life.

      Report Post » jcldwl  
    • UnreconstructedLibertarian
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:39pm

      Gee, the old “Set Aside” based program was done away with in ‘99. Payments are based off the last payments made – and for 13 years now – farmers have had the freedom to plant as much of any crop they wanted to.

      The only restrictions are “environmentally” based, contingent on the USDA “Conservation Plan” for that particular parcel of land. So, if anything isn’t getting planted – its really the “Greenies” fault, not the subsidy program as it is right now (which is expiring Sept 30th – with no replacement in effect).

      Educate yourself before spouting off such an opinion.
      ewg.com

      Report Post » UnreconstructedLibertarian  
    • conserv2save
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:49pm

      You have no idea what you are talking about, you little mamby pamby, would not last 2 seconds working on a farm! Where do you think the food on your table comes from? The government? The farmer does not set the price of food! You spoiled, ignorant little wimp have no idea how extremely hard farmers work! Their days start before sun rise and end at sun set! Most farmers are barely able to make ends meet. Now they are dealing with a terrible drough which cause higher prices, exorbant fuel prices causes higher prices and absurd government regulations causes higher prices. You are ignorant!,

      Report Post »  
    • PHOTOG1961
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:54pm

      Water dude, by your comment one can only surmise that you have no idea of the history of farm subsidies, why the government has always tried to use them to the influence and control the markets. Nor do you seem to understand the effort to bring a crop to market. Here is an example of government policies.
      In September 1933, the Agriculture Adjustment Administration in an effort to raise the prices of commodities slaughtered six million young pigs. With unemployment hovering at 22.9%, the homeless numbers rising each day, in the middle of the Great Depression, Franklin Roosevelt’s economic policy to drive up prices in order to help the farmer resulted in the slaughtering of six million pigs. Never mind that millions of Americans went to bed hungry each night, six million pigs were sacrificed to the economic experiment of FDR and his advisers. Not only did the poor and hungry not get to eat those pigs, but the policy had the desired effect and the price of pork soared until a single slice of bacon was prohibitively expensive.

      Report Post » PHOTOG1961  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:58pm

      @TreeTrimmerJim
      “I take it you have no farming experience.”

      Me thinks he grows little green plants…

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • FloridaFarmGirl
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:43pm

      Just a hunch, but I’m willing to bet you are from the north and know nothing about farming. I would also be willing to bet you love to eat. Totally ignorant and incorrect rant. You just can’t fix stupid. Comments like yours do nothing to help this desperate country. God Bless the farmers across the country and let’s continue the fight to get Government off our land!!!

      Report Post »  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 6:46pm

      They take Government subsidies because the price of food is artificially low. If the Government quit subsidising the crops then food prices would and should rise. That’s why farmers come into my hydroponic store because they want to make some real money. Too bad most farmers suck at growing herb (it‘s a lot tougher than any other plant i’ve ever grown.)

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
    • xenolith
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 1:37am

      Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Because everyone knows there’s a food fairy with magic pixie dust that makes all the food just magically appear on each and every grocery store shelf in America.

      Boy, America is in for a rude awakening soon.

      Report Post » xenolith  
  • MrKnowItAll
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:07pm

    As if Blueberry’s are not costly enough already. What will this add to the price?

    Report Post » MrKnowItAll  
    • dirtydog1776
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:18pm

      Don’t worry, Obama is giving everyone free Blackberries……… really…….no kidding……free of charge.

      Report Post » dirtydog1776  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:07pm

    Our Founders Warned us about these people……………VOTE.

    Report Post »  
  • watersRpeople
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:06pm

    I don’t know. I don’t care about the American farmer – they take free money to not plant fields to jack up the cost of food. I don’t care what this administration does to them.

    Report Post »  
    • Magyar
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:23pm

      You better re-think your stupid remark— The farmers grow the food that you shove down your stupid pie hole!

      IDIOT!

      Report Post »  
    • TreeTrimmerJim
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:25pm

      How is your Victory garden producing?

      Report Post » TreeTrimmerJim  
    • crazyrightwingmom
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:36pm

      So get the government out of the farming business!! Completely. But don’t blame the farmer when the politician is buying his vote!

      Report Post »  
    • jcldwl
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:45pm

      You‘ll care when you can’t get any food because the government took all the farms and assigned people that don’t know squat about farming, to farm them. What will you do then? Never mind I know what you will do. You will starve to death in your mother’s basement because you are clueless.

      Report Post » jcldwl  
    • mecanic
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:06pm

      freakin idiot.

      Report Post » mecanic  
    • mecanic
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:08pm

      actually, your a stinkin TROLL, and a idiot.

      Report Post » mecanic  
    • TEARS FOR AMERICA
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 8:06pm

      One day when you’re starving to death you may, and I really mean may, change your mind…

      Report Post » TEARS FOR AMERICA  
    • DoGooder
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 8:11pm

      Stop chewing the crouch of your dirty underware and see whats going on around you! In America…we have due process! I say do away with the department of labor and pay some of our debt to China. You lame asp liberal creep.

      Report Post » DoGooder  
  • Jezcruzen
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:05pm

    When you have a Marxist agitator appointing other Marxists to head federal agencies, what should anyone expect? The target isn’t the blueberry farmers. The target is a struggling republic’s ability to produce, and thereby continue some semblance of an economy. Destroy the economy – destroy the republic – install a certifiable fascist regime. Solis, Nepolitano, Holder, Jarrett, et al. are, in my opinion, traitors!

    Report Post »  
    • heyjim55
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:20pm

      You are correct they are all Marxists and this is what they do in the beginning , Farming is a high value target for Communists . Control the food control the people, extortion was used in the early days of the Russian revolution which ultimately led to a refusal by the land owners which in turn Lenin ordered the seizure of all farms and production. Communists never go off script only their marketing has changed.

      Report Post »  
    • Max jones
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 11:09am

      As long as common people in this nation have any strength, the take over is more difficult. The govt. must weaken us to the point where we are like these blueberry farmers…between a rock and a hard place. They have got to get us helpless and hopeless, so we will be ‘good little comrades’.

      Report Post » Max jones  
  • normalmom
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:03pm

    I think I need to buy some blueberries.

    Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:16pm

      As most situations we get a very one sided presentation of the situation. So unlike real journalism we get nothing about what prior violations, notifications or communications were provided the farmers and the farm bureau. Usually, when an organization like the farm Bureau or the farmers rush to political arena with something and scream unfair treatment, they are guilty as hel&. And similar to other enforcement situations you need to punish violators of labor laws harshly to deter other companies from undertaking the same conduct. As it is virtually impossible to monitor every farm in the US. While I love the political outrage and references to the big, bad government… let’s wait for the all the facts to come out. At least the real facts as opposed to quotes from the guilty who just might be protecting themselves.

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:38pm

      JCROOK, When your side will say more that this “A U.S. Labor spokesperson declined to comment on the details of the ordeal.” Then maybe you will be happy.
      The truly scary part about the article above is:
      “But here‘s what has members of Oregon’s congressional delegation and the Oregon Farm Bureau particularly disturbed: The federal agency told the farmers that they could make everything go away if they paid “a fine and back wages and sign a consent judgment admitting wrong and agreeing not to contest the order even if subsequent information exonerated the farms.”
      Really sounds above board and really straight forward now doesn’t it? Ask a life long liberal much like these Oregonians, Bill Gates about the libs coming after you when you don’t give anything in donations to the party.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:38pm

      @JRook

      They already admitted to violating due process. Right?

      “Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian told the fed agency in a letter that they most likely violated the constitutional search and seizure and due process rights of farmers “who have yet to be found guilty of anything.”

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 6:50pm

      Jrook you silly little man.

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 1:46pm

      NO you need to buy some BLUEBERRY BUSHES..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
  • DeeDeeBear
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:02pm

    omg can’t wait for January 20, 13….isn’t that the day Romeny get inaugurated? He will get rid of all these tyrants!

    Report Post »  
  • Depressed_American
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:01pm

    More of Obama’s Heavy handed LAWS THROUGH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES REGULATIONS!!!, Not Congress. If he can’t accomplish his goals through Congress, he will by-pass them.

    Report Post » Depressed_American  
    • Max jones
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 11:21am

      he is no longer “president”….He is Dictator. I don’t think there will be an election….It’s time for the mask to come off. There will be blood on our streets soon.

      Report Post » Max jones  
  • Steve28
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 1:58pm

    what will it be like if Obama gets elected again?

    Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:18pm

      More and more of this. And, this is just part of the start of controlling the food.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • TreeTrimmerJim
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:23pm

      Copy Venezuela

      Report Post » TreeTrimmerJim  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:40pm

      Hi RJJ,

      This is the only time I can remember saying this……

      Barry is innocent !!!

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • IMCHRISTIAN
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 2:58pm

      No Monk…. (blue) berry was innocent

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:26pm

      @IMCHRISTIAN

      LOL… that’s what I meant.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • oldguy77
      Posted on September 1, 2012 at 11:14am

      Sorta like the Mayas predicted.Dec.22 2012 not the end of the world but the end of life as we know it.

      Report Post »  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on August 31, 2012 at 1:58pm

    It has started – obama plan to control all wages is starting- He has put his commies into postions to enforce what he directs them to- It started with holder- The states had better stand up and take these people on.

    Report Post »  
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