redblueamerica.com

There is no food shortage here, in California...... Only a huge immigrant surplus. Numbersusa..com

Food 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'.

This 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.

I 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.

Who 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?

anonymous and reduce the carbon footprint.

It's probably another toilet paper scare so the price can be raised so all us gullible fools fall for it!!!!!!!!

Well 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

There is no shortage of rice. There is a surplus of people.