Large scale agribusiness strikes again.

[seedcorn]

Agree, we live in a excellent environment compared to rest of world. that our Vets have paid the ultimate price to acquire for us.

We are spoiled elite when we fail to recognize the dire straits other people are in and don't allow their governments/people to make changes necessary. In change there are always someone screaming that they liked it the way it was. They aren't lying, they do.

I honestly believe if any of us was forced to live in these destitute areas, we'd be screaming for the land to be farmed more effectively so we could ALL eat. If that meant that someone lost their ground, we'd lose not a minute of sleep. The last 2 generations of American have never experienced true hunger with no relief in sight. The last generations that knew hunger were the 30's.

 

[hoodat]

Our viewpoints seem to be diametrically opposed. You think big ag is the solution and I see it as the problem.

 

[thistlebloom]

Agree, we live in a excellent environment compared to rest of world. that our Vets have paid the ultimate price to acquire for us.

We are spoiled elite when we fail to recognize the dire straits other people are in and don't allow their governments/people to make changes necessary.

First of all, the people in poverty that you speak of have no power and no voice in their governments, and I don't understand what you mean when you say "we" don't "allow" their govt. to make changes. Sounded to me like this was a U.N. decision.
On a personal level I do have an understanding of the dire straits people in third world countries face. At least to a small degree, as we (my family) has supported a family in Africa for 8 years and correspond with them frequently.
I just object to the terms "spoiled elite" as I think sometimes it is so popular to bash the U.S.
We have what we have because our founding fathers had the vision and the foresight to lay a strong foundation. Other countries (not all) have ,by and large, horribly corrupt leaders in their govt. ( and believe me,I'm not letting ours off the hook) and that effects their agriculture, commerce, and people.
The citizens of the U.S. btw are the most generous in the world when it comes to helping others.

 

[seedcorn]

Our viewpoints seem to be diametrically opposed. You think big ag is the solution and I see it as the problem.

Yes, as some of our viewpoints are opposites. Nowhere do I ever state BIG (that would also be subjective as to definition of BIG) is the answer. I do state using modern technology (over 1930 technology) is the answer to greater production which is the answer to feed the world. I've been clear and consistent that alternative methods will not work unless consumer is willing to pay for extra costs.

thistlebloom, we got this freedom by war at the cost of many good people. They may have to pay the same cost. Our government also keeps Ag controlled (see thread on vegetable prices--when American Ag gets hit w/catastrophy instead of letting supply/demand take over, we import to keep average Joe's food cheap).

 

[thistlebloom]

Seedcorn , ok, maybe I'm wrong (if I am I'm sure I'll be corrected )
but isn't the point of this discussion that people's land is being taken?
...by their own governments? I wont argue modern farm tech versus traditional, my objection is that (you seem to be saying) somehow "we" are to blame for starving people around the world, when their own govts are selling them out. Yes , too many good people have died to defend our way of life, and to maintain liberty, unfortunately, that is the price.

"God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to defend it." Daniel Webster 1834

" The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first."
Thomas Jefferson

And I believe that our government has meddled far too deeply in matters it has no business in.

 

[seedcorn]

thistlebloom, we aren't to blame for their poverty. If I gave that impression, that was not my intent at all.

While not defending governments from taking ground from private citizens (altho it happens everywhere, including USA--think of roads, national parks, etc), I understand the hard decisions some countries' governments have to make in order to feed their population.

 

[lesa]

If only this was being done for altruism. You can be sure this a money making endeavor, made to make the rich richer, and the poor, poorer. These families have been farming and living on this land, for generations.