I've been a hobby and sideliner beekeeper since 1962. I appreciate the services and research that the Beltsville Bee Lab has provided over the years.

However, I am alarmed by the growth in size, power, cost, scope, waste, and centralization of the federal government over the past 100+ years. Most of this government growth has no legitimacy according to the US Constitution. All agencies, policies, regulations, laws, and functions not clearly required and/or authorized by the clear original understanding and intent of the Constitution must be phased out and returned to the People and the states as demanded by Amendment X.

Of all the unconstitutional things that the central government does, agriculture is, perhaps, one of the most important to keep. If kept, it must be more decentralized -- moved away from the fetid cesspool known as Washington DC.

That said, I am willing to give up my favorite federal program (agriculture) if it helps push the central government back into its constitutionally-defined limits.

"Would you be willing to give up your favorite government program if it meant never having to pay the income tax again." -- Harry Browne

I support prompt closing of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and decentralization of all its functions.