Jim Hightower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Hightower
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| 8th Agriculture Commissioner of Texas | |
| In office January 1, 1983 – January 5, 1991 |
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| Governor | Mark White Bill Clements |
| Preceded by | Reagan V. Brown |
| Succeeded by | Rick Perry |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Allen Hightower
January 11, 1943 Denison, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of North Texas Columbia University |
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James Allen Hightower (born January 11, 1943) is an American writer, political activist, and speaker. He is known for his strong support of everyday people and his critical views on big corporations and government policies.
From 1983 to 1991, he was the elected commissioner for the Texas Department of Agriculture. He also writes a popular monthly newsletter called The Hightower Lowdown, which is known for its detailed reporting.
Contents
Jim Hightower's Early Life and Education
Jim Hightower was born in Denison, Texas, in Grayson County, Texas. He grew up in a working-class family. He worked hard to pay for college. He was an assistant manager for the Denton Chamber of Commerce. Later, he joined a training program for the U.S. State Department.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. While there, he was the student body president. He also studied international affairs at Columbia University in New York City.
Jim Hightower's Career in Politics and Activism
In the late 1960s, Hightower worked in Washington, D.C. He was an assistant to U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough. In 1970, he helped start the Agribusiness Accountability Project. This group looked into how large farming businesses operated. This work led to his first two books.
After helping with a presidential campaign in 1976, he returned to Texas. He became the editor of The Texas Observer magazine. His first try for public office was for the Railroad Commission of Texas. This commission actually regulates the oil and natural gas industries in Texas, not railroads. He did not win that election.
Serving as Agriculture Commissioner
In 1982, Jim Hightower was elected as the Texas Agriculture Commissioner. He won against the person who held the job before him, Reagan V. Brown. Hightower served as commissioner until 1990. He was then replaced by Rick Perry, who later became the governor of Texas.
During his time as commissioner, Hightower focused on several important things. He supported organic production and helped farmers try new crops. He also encouraged small farmers to sell their products directly to customers. He worked to make sure rules about farm materials were strong.
Hightower also became a well-known voice for Democrats across the country. Some people who worked with him faced legal issues related to campaign donations. Even though Hightower was not involved in these issues, they made his re-election more difficult.
His Views on Presidents and Politics
During the 1992 presidential election, Hightower first supported Senator Tom Harkin. After Harkin left the race, Hightower supported Jerry Brown. He later voted for Bill Clinton at the Democratic convention.
After Clinton became president, Hightower became a critic of some of his policies. He disagreed with Clinton's acceptance of money from big companies for campaigns. He also did not like Clinton's support for NAFTA. Hightower also felt the government was not doing enough to fight unemployment and poverty.
In 2000, Hightower helped lead the presidential campaign for Ralph Nader. After the close 2000 election, Hightower believed that Al Gore lost because he did not win his home state, not because of Ralph Nader. In 2004, Hightower supported Dennis Kucinich in the Democratic primaries. He called Kucinich a "populist," meaning someone who supports the rights and power of ordinary people. When John Kerry won the nomination, Hightower encouraged other progressives to support him.
Radio Shows and Activism
Since 1993, Hightower has created Hightower Radio. This is a short daily commentary that is heard on many radio stations. He also hosted weekend and weekday talk shows on different radio networks. His show, Hightower's Chit & Chat, was heard in many places across the United States.
In recent years, Hightower has spoken about industrial hemp. He believes it is a good crop for farming that can be grown in a way that helps the environment.
In 2016, Hightower supported Bernie Sanders for president. He actively campaigned for Sanders. After Hillary Clinton won the nomination, Hightower joined the board of directors for a new progressive group called Our Revolution. He continues to work with this group in Texas.
Jim Hightower's Syndicated Column
Hightower writes a column that is published in many newspapers across the country. It is shared through Creators Syndicate. He also writes for a publication called The Progressive Populist.
The Hightower Lowdown Newsletter
Hightower writes a monthly newsletter called The Hightower Lowdown. It has more than 135,000 subscribers. The newsletter is known for its detailed investigative reporting. It has won awards for being a top national newsletter.
In 2022, Hightower showed his support for the Rights of Nature movement. This movement believes that nature should have legal rights, just like people. He noted that Florida has become a key place for this movement in the United States.
The "Doug Jones Average" Idea
Jim Hightower created a concept called the "Doug Jones Average." He suggests that to truly understand how well the American economy is doing, it's not enough to look at big stock market numbers like the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Instead, he says we should check on how the average worker, like "Doug Jones," is doing.
If Doug Jones is struggling to pay bills, losing savings, or needs help, then the "Doug Jones Average" is "down." But if Doug gets a raise, can pay his bills, and is looking to buy a house, then the "Doug Jones Average" is "up." This idea helps people think about the economy from the perspective of everyday families.
Awards and Recognition
- Eugene V. Debs Award (1995)
- Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship (2009)
Books by Jim Hightower
- Hard Tomatoes, Hard Times: A Report of the Agribusiness Accountability Project on the Failure of America's Land Grant College Complex (1972)
- Eat Your Heart Out: Food Profiteering in America (1975)
- There's Nothing in the Middle of the Road but Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos (1997)
- If the Gods Had Meant Us to Vote, They'd Have Given Us Candidates (2001)
- Thieves in High Places: They've Stolen Our Country—And It's Time to Take It Back (2003)
- Let's Stop Beating Around the Bush (2004)
- Swim against the Current: Even a Dead Fish Can Go With the Flow (2008)
Archives
The official collection of Jim Hightower's papers and work is kept at the Wittliff collections of Southwestern Writers. This is located at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.
See also
- 21st Century Democrats
