Free Republic

One Idaho couple's property rights battle with the government has reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Mike and Chantell Sackett bought land in Priest Lake, Idaho, to build their dream home in a residential development. As the Sacketts were preparing to build, however, the Environmental Protection Agency blocked them. EPA officials informed them their property is protected wetlands and accused them of violating the Clean Water Act. The agency then threatened to fine them $37,000 a day. "Bullying, that's what the EPA does," Chantell Sackett told Spokane, Wash., TV station KXLY.

U.S. farmers celebrate approval of free trade deals World Oct. 14, 2011 - 07:15AM JST ( 3 ) DES MOINES, Iowa — U.S. farmers on Thursday celebrated the approval of free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, saying the pacts will increase demand for their products, though American consumers shouldn’t see a drastic increase in overall food prices. Congress approved the agreements Wednesday night, calling for the elimination of tariffs on U.S. products exported to those countries. Farm exports are expected to increase by $2.3 billion and 20,000 agriculture-related jobs are expected to be created under the agreements,...