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market-farming - RE: [Market-farming] Re: Prices

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  • From: "Rick Williams" <mrfarm AT frontiernet.net>
  • To: <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: RE: [Market-farming] Re: Prices
  • Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2003 18:24:02 -0600

Jay Gee wrote:
> I was the person who contacted Patricia with a message
> suggesting that price discussions be conducted off list.
>
> IANAL and I may be accused of cynicism and paranoia, but
> only the former applies, not the latter.
>
> While one's volunteering what they are getting for a
> product in the course of a normal message sequence
> is probably nothing to worry about, telling what you are
> getting and soliciting information about what others are
> getting, in advance of the selling season, or asking what
> people are planning to sell for is a whole 'nother subject.
>
> One does not have to fix prices in the marketplace to be
> accused and prosecuted for "conspiracy to fix prices,"
> which is a serious federal felony.

This is complete and utter nonsense. In fact, it would be illegal for the
government to in ANY WAY interfere with our discussions here as private
citizens of the U.S.A. Every hear of the First Amendment? Please get real
for once.

> Agriculture has a long history of price fixing behavior, not only
> on a large scale, but locally as well. Prosecution happens.

Show us a case of farmers being prosecuted for setting their own price for
their agricultural sales? Isn't it true that unlike any other businesses in
the U.S., farmers have the right to collectively set prices and not be
charged with monopoly. Are you even aware of the Capper-Volstad Act? It sure
doesnt' seem so based on your comments which I put in the class of fear
mongering.

For your information, many of us openly discuss pricing all the time on
other lists on even non-agricultural subjects. You are the first "person" to
have made such an extremist statement against what I consider to be the
basic freedoms of all all Americans.

Sincerely,

Rick Williams
Misty Ridge Farm
Direct marketed dairy beef and produce
(also dairy heifers and beef stockers)
Viroqua, WI










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