We should immediately cut subsidies for ethanol so that food can be used for food, instead of fuel
57% (143 votes)
Put in place temporary price controls so that everybody can afford to feed themselves
22% (56 votes)
I'm not depending on the government -- we're already stocked up and hoarding our food
7% (17 votes)
Other: See the comments below
13% (33 votes)
Thoughts
Food shortage....?
Submitted on May 5th, 2008 by sleekoThere is no food shortage here, in California...... Only a huge immigrant surplus. Numbersusa..com
Once again it more speculation
Submitted on April 25th, 2008 by PabloThere is no food shortage in this country just like there is no labor shortage.
Although some parts of the country may have a shortage of labor, other parts are suffering from high unemployment.
Its time for those who have been unemployed for years to consider moving to where the jobs are. Just like in the 1930s, there was a shift in populations from the east to move out to the west where their was a job shortage. Now the job shortage is in the heartland and deep south.
While people in what used to be large northern factory towns suffer in huge unemployment belts. Something to consider.
Lastly, the cost of labor being a problem as far as price is bogus not true and displays a bit of ignorance as to what the real problems are.
I get sick and tired of people who complain that cheap labor is killing their business. The truth is cheap labor is not the problem.
The facts are no matter where you look there will always be cheap labor. Even if the minimum wage was rolled back to $3.85 and China raised its wage to $10 there will always be some other part of the world to fill the void of the cheap labor idea.
Cheap labor has more effect on the global market than it does here in America. China, Korea, South East Asia, Africa, eastern Europe and the list goes on has more direct link to the cost of labor. This is because all other factors are the same for each country. Thus the only difference between them is labor.
Labor is not the issue in America. Although businesses complain about it because labor is the only flexible part of the equation under their control. Thus when you hear businesses complain about labor costs its because that is what is wrong in their business structure.
There is no way that America would every be able to raise the wages of the entire globe to make labor nonexistent.
So if its not labor what is it? Its the fact that all foreign companies have an advantage over American ones because of regulation, taxes, bonds, Inspections and now fuel.
I could care less if say china paid their workers 10 cents an hour. That is not important to me. Making those companies have to pay for insurance, bonds and inspections is of high concern to me.
If foreign companies were forced to carry insurance, post yearly bonds and pay for American citizens to inspect the goods that are to be sold in our American Market would offset any benefit for any company to locate outside of the US.
The cost of Labor would be null and void because these costs along with shipping to America would level the playing field and honestly, American factories would be cheaper.
I have run the figures. Labor is a cost just like insurance, bonds and inspections to the FDA, or USDA or USCPD. American businesses have to pay for these inspections post bonds and have insurance. To not have these things is to be one step from being out of business if you get caught or have some sort of disaster or defect.
Foreign companies do not inspect, do quality control nor care to even do those things. They do not have insurance nor post any bonds. The only tax they pay is sales where I have to pay tax on the goods as part of assets.
Thus make the cheap Chinese have to post a multimillion dollar bonds for their products along with having to have insurance against their products being defective or harmful so that those bonds can pay for immediate solutions by the regulators and the insurance covered injuries and cleanup of the people those products harmed. Make the foreign companies have to pay taxes on the goods that are sitting on the shelf waiting to be sold as of Dec 31 or in some warehouse on some dock. I have to pay tax on these items why should these other not pay taxes as well since they are registered as a US business to sell here in America.
Lastly, All goods made or shipped to the US has to be inspected. I have to pay for the USDA inspector who looks at the products going out to the consumer.
Yet as we have seen with China, They have zero inspections nor will they do inspections at the level that will meet our standards.
Western Europe, Japan, China, Korea, and basically 99% of the world who is not in a 3rd world status makes foreign companies have to pay for an inspector who is an employee of that foreign government. Japan has a few inspectors here in America for certain products and inspects it before its even shipped and then inspects it when it arrives.
So its not protectionism. Its standard practice world wide.
Its time America protect its own consumers and take charge of our markets just to insure the health and safety of our own citizens.
If we had real government leaders and not blow hards who offer moronic and ignorant ecconomic policies like the current presidential candidates, then we would have a level playing field and America will be like it once was with factories and massive industry and unlimited growth.
Food and Politico's
Submitted on April 25th, 2008 by freddymFood production has been a citizens concern for 4000 years. Anytime a government deems 'we will fix this problem of greed' the long term outcome is food shortage. Farmers are, in most part, far wiser than any POLITICIAN in creating food supply. Government controls, like subsidy, artifically present 'food supply stability'. The last 100 years show that government (centralized) have failed at disasterous levels.
Tax strutures on land, equipment, all of the logistical components of food production have driven independent farmers into the convoluted world of fending off IRS and property tax inequaties. Most farmers of today have needed to become large corporations just to exist. Our government likes large corporations. Much easier to control.
This issue is very large and and is now become more complex with more gov't-politico's believing that 'alternative fuel' is better than increasing domestic oil supply. The larges percentage of oil that we use is from our nearest neighbors. Any change from FOOD production to ethenol is at best, in 2008, a link to world wide food warfare.
Imagine, being held hostage by a nation that is providing the U.S. with 13-20% of the food supply, and they increase prices because we will pay anything for 'cheap food' (supply and demand).
Some considerations to food prices is addressing whether off-shore food at a cheaper price (usually through significantly lower laber costs)and we the comsummer want cheap tomatoes vs. stable domestic farmers. U.S. food production is the most efficent in the world. And could be more efficent by government butting out.
Ethanol is a "LAST RESORT' alternative fuel.
The Romans had centralized food control/production. Their empire fell partially because of food shortages. Of course, they did not know of and did not write about that the earth was cooling (less food plant growth).
Unless you like dictatorships, Congress is the responsible party. Their super intellect has created the 'rice subsidies' to NOT GROW that are now causing shortages. I call this '55 Club members'.
Ethanol is not made out of
Submitted on April 25th, 2008 by wishnevskyEthanol is not made out of rice. Fact. I suspect that the connection is that Arabs and others are using their vast new oil profits to invest and manipulate the commodities markets. I understand that there were plans for huge new speculative markets (stock markets) to go on line in Dubai and Saudi Arabia soon, perhaps already.
And i also suspect that the oil companies, one in particular, the one that owns Texas and a good chunk of the Federal Government, are pushing the "biofuels equal starvation" idea as hard as they can.
Obviously, as anybody who lives in the country knows, more and more farm land is going fallow, reverting to forest, and being built on every day. America could produce more food, if it was needed.
Of course we might have to import some people to work on those farms. I wonder where we could find a few million hard working dirt farmer types nearby?
Why doesn't somebody give me a few million as a grant, and I'll found a think tank and study the matter.
Population is not even close to the problem
Submitted on April 25th, 2008 by PabloThis over population argument is not really valid.
The problem of hunger in many parts of the world has nothing to do with over population.
It has more to do with war, corrupt governments both at the national and local levels. This is true for all of Africa and all 3rd world countries no matter where.
In order for population to exceed food supply, is some where around 15 Trillion people.
The US produces 10K% more food than it can consume. In fact, the general waste of food in America that is just thrown away could feed the entire world today.
The amount of food that is in the diet of the average American is 7 times greater than what they need and 3 times that of the diet of most of the rest of the world.
I lived abroad and in many different countries. The portions of food in most places in the world is a fraction of here in America. What I learned is that I did not go hungery living on a fraction of the portion of food that is commonly seen here in America.
Not only that, most food companies here in America put chemicals into the food to make the average American more hungery thus causing them to eat more food. This is especially true in the snack food portion of the market and in certain ready meals.
We are a long way from population exceeeding supply. However, cost of feeding an extremely large family is a legitimate concern.
But the reality is that this limit in number of children has more to do with other factors rather than general cost of food.
Most families here in America have to have a new car every few years, cable TV, all the lastest gagets like cell phones, Ipods, newest computers, Blackberries and the list goes on.
We live in America in a have it all now society while racking up huge debts and placing ourselves in positions where poverty is a step away for some.
I know a guy who he an his family lives off of $750 a month. They do not drive a new car but has two. One is a car that is like 12 years old and a truck that is like 10 years old. They bought both used. This guy owns two homes and is basically semi retired.
I remember another friend asking him how he does it because he travels all the time and never seems to work.
The response was that why should he follow the Jones' and buy things that are not necessary. He pointed out that some people look down at him because he drives an old car or does not wear the $1000 suit on Sunday. Yet, when all is said and done, He laughs and says that he has more money in the bank than most so called rich people.
He basically said, he does not have cable TV but he does have Sat TV. he does not pay for the premium channels like HBO and the like thus his bill is less than $40. He said TV is ok but spending quality time with the family is more important. He basically is saying that he does not replace anything unless it is broken and can not fix it or the cost of fixing it cost more than a new one.
He points out that his family eats out 2 times a month as a family and one other time with his wife. Thus it makes the outing special. He also stated that staying on a buget is the most important thing any family could do.
I have started doing some of what he has said and I have found that I have $350 more freedom per month than I had before. When my car payment ends next year, I will not just go out and get another one unless its a hydrogen car. But not buying a car will save me $560 a month. Buying a home smart I could generate an income from rental of $750 to $1500 a month while spending less than $25,000 for a house. Where I live that equates to a house in California that costs $450,000. The house I currently live in would be a 6 to 12 million dollar house and would put to shame most Beverly Hills homes.
The last thing in this guys advise was the most important. I quote " Its ok and its important to have credit and a credit card. But the wise person pays cash for 99% of the items he uses and needs. The 1% you use on the credit card is to book reservations, hotels or rental cars or the occational purchase online. But the important thing is to keep the debt of the credit card less than $500 but do not pay off the card and make its balance zero. Its ok to say no and rethink what is important when making purchases. Sometimes a trip to a park is better for the family with a picnic than a trip to McDonalds, movie theater or some other high costing event. My kids then learn to appreciate the experience of McDonalds or a Six Flags or a Disney or even a trip to a movie theater more. But at the same time, my kids are emotionally healthy, do better in school because of this time well spent. Even at the grocery store, its ok to say no to some things and its wise to buy generic for most items. Today most generics are one of the name brands that are being sold at a discount under the store's brand or some other name. Thus a person can save 30% of the bill just by doing that. Sometimes not buying a product because its price to too high is ok."
I have to say I agree because I have started some of this with my own kids. The biggest was the school grades and overall performance. Yea my kids complain that they are the only ones who do not have this or that, but then they do not have all those gagets distracting them from what is important in life which is family first, education second and a good dose of moral responsibility.
Concerning grocery stores, I have noticed that many of the products I use go on sale about once a month or once every two months. I also know that what may not be on sale at my closest store my be on sale at a competitors store. Thus paying attention to this and buying the majority of the items while on sale has lowered my over all grocery bill dramatically in addition to buying more generic products.
POPULATION
Submitted on April 25th, 2008 by janmbThe issue of population growth is what another post herewith brought up and that's the basic problem to start with and why we are going to be facing shortages of food and water and energy.
This country can help by first putting a stop to the polygamy going on where a guy for sexual gratification (for a good example)has 30 children and 300 grandkids all in his lifetime with welfare paying for it.
Then it could well make gov'ts in the world including ours, distribute information and birth-control devices starting at early ages. After all in a crisis situation, some personal freedoms have to be sacrificed and this is going to be a crisis unless some plague comes along just in time.
If there really is a shortage
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by PabloI do not think there is a shortage.
Its like the natural gas game in california a few years ago. Drive up the price of a product in California because their laws are not able to deal with these criminals.
If there really was a shortage of rice, Then it would be seen all over the country. Its not. I bought rice yesterday and could have bought 1000lbs if I wanted to.
The thus this is a big business or shipping issue to drive up price.
On the other hand, if this is a shortage and California is the first to feel it. Then simply do not allow rice to be shipped out of the country.
You feed the people at home first!
If it gets to corn and wheat, then stop shipping overseas.
If that is not enough, then stop the production of biofuel, beer or other alcoholic items to feed the country.
Beer is not as important as food no matter what the alcoholics may think.
Biofuel was never a good idea because it takes more energy to produce the fuel than you get back out.
Does not mean that certain kinds of biofuel research can not continue like with alge to disel.
But I do not think that rice is in shortage because the price of rice in my part of the country is lower today than it was a year ago. Though I am expecting it to rise again because of the cost of fuel.
ethanol as fuel
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by AnonymousCorporate greed is the problem. Gasoline prices go up so eyhanol prices go up, so food prices go up, etc., etc.
When California started using methanol as an alternate fuel, the methanol production plants were bought up by the Saudi government so they could control the price and that ended the 93 cent per gallon alcohol fuels for Calfornia.
Now California is using ethanol and there is a short supply and we are back to gasoline and paying $4.00 for gasoline and $117 for oil. Heating oil is at anew record price and so is Propane. Citizens have o pay whatever price s assigned by "BIG OIL".
With oil company executive appointed to run California's State Energy Commission and the USDoE and EPA top officials comming from "BIG OIL" also these energy prices keep going up.
The ethanol producers could force oil prices up by cutting thir prices but why should they when it is Corporate America's way to "charge what the traffic will pay".
That is what Pastor Wright was complaining about but he said it wrong. Us citizens are just as much a victim as he ever was, but politicians wont fix this corporate because they are really elected to become rich and famous intheir minds. All US Senators are millionaires. It is another form of corporate greed.
Lots of church leaders fit this same greed mode. The way of Jesus was not for money or power, but enough wealth for a comfortable living was enough. Those with the lust for power and greed for money will not take one dime with them - but they will surely have lost their souls.
Rice
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by AnonymousWho knew Americans loved rice so much? It seems really ridiculous. It's just rice, eat a different carb, people. Could we use this energy to focus on something more important?
what does ethNOL to do with
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by Anonymouswhat does ethNOL to do with rice
abort thyself then
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by John 2000anonymous and reduce the carbon footprint.
just plain stupidity most every night
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by AnonymousOVERPOPULATION is THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM ON PLANET EARTH.
Stop breeding !!!! No more additional mouths to feed. TWO KIDS ONLY for each and every family / breeding female on PLANET EARTH !!!
All them religious idiots who "go forth to populate the earth" tread on stupid ground.
Remember
EACH ABORTION SAVES PLANET EARTH.
rice shortage
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by AnonymousIt's probably another toilet paper scare so the price can be raised so all us gullible fools fall for it!!!!!!!!
CRISIS !!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by John 2000Not at all related to ethanol.
Somewhat related to monsoon season ... poor crop season over there.
Other than that, worldwide leftist political game selling crises however it can + greed.
** temporary ban on increase in US export of rice.
** increase US local stores
** don't panic
** I'm with ya, dbi444
Food Shortage
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by dbi444Well Well Well
When did this happen??? Are we supposed to beleive that all of a sudden there is a food shortage??
How stupid do they think we are? More scare and fear ...what else is new.
There is no reason for anyone on this planet, ANY Human to go hungry. AND there has always been people starving.. Nothing new there
Now they want us to beleive that we are ALL going to starve !!!I love it! Its soooo stupid.
Run for the hills Sheep! Grab your bells and run!
I guess they will now try to starve us into submission? what next lol
Get real folks, stand your ground use your money and be choosie what you spend it on
Thats WHERE THE POWER IS !!! THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR AND IF YOU SPEND IT WISELY YOU WILL STAY IN CHARGE.
Everything will get worse before election so democrats will win ...we have to change !!!! lol More of the same no matter who gets in. BUT you can count on being taxed to death with the D's for sure
Pick your poison
God help us all
rice vs ethanol
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by sleekoSome people think land for rice farming is being diverted, to corn production to feed the Ethanol industry. This is completely wrong as rice is grown in a bog. Corn will not thrive in the same soil. The "so called" rice shortage is because China has cornered the market for rice. They are with holding exports.
Just another reason China must be "dealt" with.
Rice shortage???
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by sleekoThere is no shortage of rice. There is a surplus of people.
Help me out here.
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by The Big KlosowskiWhat does ethanol have to do with rice?