“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a president and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.”— Franklin D. Roosevelt

Change is coming to America, today. President-elect Donald Trump will become our next national leader. It remains to be seen, however, if Mr. Trump can actually take the reins of this diverse country and become a leader all American citizens can follow.

Photo: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

We in agriculture have high hopes that change will be beneficial to our industry and way of life. It is essential that coming changes enhance and set the stage for improving the economic, social and material well-being not only for agriculture, but also for all citizens:

• Over-regulation and excessive over-reach by the EPA has been a thorn in the side for many years. We must not only roll back or eliminate burdensome regulations, but also we must reform the agency by legislative means, limiting its jurisdiction to the original intent laid out by Congress. Expect tough resistance by environmental activist groups with court challenges.

• Immigration reform is also a priority. Enforcement of current law is paramount. Sadly, this aspect of national policy has been neglected for many, many years, transcending the presidencies of Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George Herbert Walker Bush. In whatever direction it takes, reform will directly impact agriculture, for better or worse. It will have lasting consequences, and there will be few opportunities for a do-over if it is not done right.

• International trade policy, whichever direction Trump decides to go, will also have far-reaching consequences for agriculture. He has opposed the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. All major commodity groups support the agreement, and thus, we have our work cut out to convince Trump that it is in the country’s best interests to participate in the agreement. If he has a better idea, it has not been fleshed out for broad analysis by the ag community.

• Crafting a new farm bill makes the list for obvious reasons. Success is not a foregone conclusion by any means. In fact, this has the potential for being one of the toughest fights between special interests in the last decade.

• Education reform is another priority. American children are not performing well, and our educational system is in need of major reform. Trump’s choice of education secretary suggests a targeted move toward parental choice and use of taxpayer funds for school vouchers, perhaps to be challenged in the courts. Trump’s pledge to repeal “common core” is likely a stretch, given the fact that this is not "federal policy but a set of standards states have adopted for what students at each grade level should be able to do.” (“Donald Trump and the Future of Education,” by Emily Deruy, Nov. 9, 2016, theatlantic.com)      

Franklin D. Roosevelt took on the role of president, and soon came face to face with the daunting task of uniting this country and moving forward in the difficult days of WWII. He was up to the task, and America persevered.

Soon we will see what direction our nation will take in the new year. The people have spoken. For better or worse, Trump will carry that burden of decision-making. The buck stops here.

Unity in purpose is vital. We could use some unity and cooperation about now. Sadly, neither the executive nor the legislative branch of government was useful as a role model for it these last eight years.

President Roosevelt understood this very well. He said, “The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity — or it will move apart.”

I expect great things from Mr. Trump. Now is the time for action and to show the nation we made a great choice.

Penner is a Marion County farmer and past president of the National Association of Wheat Growers. His email is [email protected].