Protect U.S. Farmland & Why Union Jobs Are Declining
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Good afternoon,
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Politicians Act to Bar CCP from Buying U.S. Farmland
As the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sets its sights on the United States, federal and state lawmakers are taking proactive steps to combat this threat. How so? By banning CCP-affiliated individuals, governments, and firms from purchasing U.S. farmland.
The motivation behind this is two-fold: protecting national security interests while safeguarding food security. This issue rose to prominence after it was revealed a CCP-linked firm was eyeing farmland near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.
“According to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, the Grand Forks Air Force Base has exceptional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, making the recently purchased land the ideal location to closely monitor and intercept military activity," a letter from 50 U.S. lawmakers noted. "The presence of a CCP-affiliated corporation near a military installation potentially undermines the integrity of our high-capability military bases, jeopardizing our strategic interests.”
But this isn’t the first instance of the CCP wielding influence here. Two proposed Texas wind farm projects – one close to Laughlin Air Force Base, another 200 miles northwest of San Antonio – were stopped between 2020-2021 over security concerns.
Exactly how much property– farmland and real estate–does China own in the U.S.? Do these holdings pose a threat, and should citizens be worried?
According to a recent National Association of Realtors report, Chinese investors spent $6 billion on U.S. real estate between March 2021-March 2022, accounting for six percent of foreign buyers. Canada and Mexico, our neighbors, have more holdings at 11% and 8%, respectively.
Relatedly, the most available U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land report found China “held 383,935 acres”— under one percent of approximately 40 million foreign-held acres.
This may seem like a paltry amount. However, it’s concerning that the CCP has gobbled up vast amounts of farmland in the last 10 years.
Union Workforce is Shrinking Because Workers Prefer Flexible Work Arrangements
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Union Membership Summary report spells bad VERY news for Big Labor: only 10.1% of the U.S. workforce was unionized in 2022—down from 10.3% in 2021.
Per BLS, this is the lowest rate of unionized workers ever recorded since 1983.
Naturally, Big Labor - namely Democrat activists and the White House - are attributing the decline in union jobs to “union busting.” But that’s not what’s happening.
Actual public perceptions of unions greatly contrast the media narrative claiming union organizing is popular. Worker participation trends—including this BLS survey— show these efforts aren’t boosting their numbers. Yikes!
One Gallup poll claimed most Americans have positive views of unions. But buried deep in their write-up is most non-unionized workers have little desire to join unions—especially as a condition of employment:
Most Nonunion Workers Disinterested in Unionizing
While many union members truly value their participation, those who are not members don't generally feel they are missing out.
A majority of nonunion workers in the U.S. (58%) say they are "not interested at all" in joining a union. About one in 10 say they are "extremely interested" (11%).
Even with anemic job numbers (thanks, President Biden!) the freelance sector’s gains in the economy have increased and withstood disruptions.
Two reports—Upwork’s Freelance Forward 2022 and MBO Partners’ State of Independence 2022 report—confirm gains in the freelance workforce account for most non-unionized workforce gains. Approximately 60-64.6 million Americans now freelance full-time, part-time, or on an occasional basis.
This news is worth celebrating.
ICYMI
Articles/ commentary/media appearances from the past week.
MEDIA APPEARANCES + MENTIONS
Fox 5 DC: I appeared on their Monday AM Quarterback segment to discuss Biden’s brewing document scandal and why this year’s March for Life is an important one.
ARTICLES/BLOGS
Townhall: Politicians Act to Bar CCP from Buying U.S. Farmland
Podcasts You May Have Missed
Catch up on District of Conservation episodes below.
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—Gabriella
It’s obvious that ol’ Joe is paying off the union bosses that endorsed his campaign. Can we all say quid pro quo? Not sure how the federal government is allowed to create a department that is actively forming labor unions. Isn’t that Marxism?
I am in the labor union that was the first to endorse him and most of the guys I work with do not share the same views of most democrats. Luckily, my union leadership ignored the will of its members and stepped in line with the party of the working man. Janus was one of the best decisions from the SCOTUS.
Our Department of Energy wants to give the Union Workers rosters a boost with Union Labor needed to claim some of the Tax incentives on Infrastructure and Clean Energy projects .
#STOPLAVARIDGE
Creating Clean Energy Union Jobs | Department of Energy
https://www.energy.gov/creating-clean-energy-union-jobs