Hoodat you are perfectly correct.. There is also a food security issue with having ones food ship from half way around the world. As for the following .I did not just pull this info out of my lets say.left ear. It is well known and spoken of often in democratic circles.
Some folks equate Capitalism with Democracy. They are two very different concepts and they are completely incapable. Some people think that Capitalism is the individuals own business plan, and they think that anyone who messes with it or says anything bad about Capitalism that they are personally being attacked and that someone is trying to keep them from making a living. Or somehow, one is attacking the nation by NOT defending capitalism. NO.it is the mega corporations that are Capitalist.just like the articles says.
What I am trying to say is.It is not the average Joe or Jane that is a Capitalist. They may be capitalists in name only. Capitalism is characterized by private ownership of most means of productionthat is, land, labor, capital/money, and any entrepreneurial ability. Sounds good doesnt it. Let me know if you can find the word Democracy or its definition in any economic textbook that talks about Capitalism.
The article speaks of supply and demand. Now dont let your eyes glaze over. Just cause the big boys talk in riddles to confuse the issue .it is really simple. When there is a demand, something is created/manufactured, and that demand is then filled.
These mega corps speculate, they speculate on the demands. In this country most if not all manufacturing has gone as they say..off-shore. The only true way one makes money is to make something that someone else wants and you sell or bargain for it. Speculation is just that speculation. It is not a tangible item. It is on paper only and it DOES NOT making anything. The only thing it does make is that it makes a few rich people richer and most other people poorer. Then us poor folks are forced to fight each other for the pieces of the pie that they purposely leave behind for us.
It is complete hyperbole (exaggeration) of facts, and it is a planned and executed daily in chaotic and unregulated system that is bound to one-day collapse.
These mega giants put a lot of money in our political system to reach their goals of record-breaking profits. Our leaders feel beholden to these forces to keep themselves in office. That makes the power of our votes dwindle. There are only two ways out of this.
Give in, or get out of a system that will eventually kill us and all that we love. The Earth. Just sit back and watch the Gulf of Mexico die and see how many ways to Sunday that the corporations will try to get out of this one. The profits are theirs.. the risk is ours. Anything over their stated responsibility, the American public will have to pay for in their taxes. Taxes that should, by any sane person reasoning should be made to take care of us..WE THE PEOPLE.
Yes, there will be some who will say I am full of hot air....it won't be the first time...
FYI:
http://www.prairie2.com/2010/07/structural-reform-down-at-temple.html