Life on Earth? Maybe?

[Ladyhawke1]

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/01/08-4


I thought this might interest some of you. More interesting are the comments at the bottom of the article. Most of these are people just like you and me.

 

[nittygrittydirtdigger]

Monsanto's business practices are so repugnant that I can barely form a coherent sentence when trying to explain why I am so opposed to them.

I posted this link to a couple of fourms I'm on. I hope it gets widely read.

 

[seedcorn]

The article pointed out that Monsanto charged $20/acre more for their seed........good research just entirely WRONG.....too bad writer didn't bother to do any research--typical.

Typical anti-corporate America w/out even trying to understand what is happening. Of course the writer see NOTHING wrong w/industry he's involved in paying/charging more. It's just people in Ag are suppose to work for minimum wage since we're all just a bunch of dumb dirt diggers...........

I'm out....tired of the hypocrosy.

 

[nittygrittydirtdigger]

As far as I'm concerned, and I think I speak for many, they can charge whatever they want for the seeds, even a nickel a pound, and it would still be too "expensive". The Earth can't afford it.

As for a fair return on r&d, that is not an issue for me. People and companies should be rewarded financially for their intellectual efforts. Maybe not as much as certain drug companies expect /), but definately a fair return.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

The article pointed out that Monsanto charged $20/acre more for their seed........good research just entirely WRONG.....too bad writer didn't bother to do any research--typical.

Typical anti-corporate America w/out even trying to understand what is happening. Of course the writer see NOTHING wrong w/industry he's involved in paying/charging more. It's just people in Ag are suppose to work for minimum wage since we're all just a bunch of dumb dirt diggers...........

I'm out....tired of the hypocrosy.

Aww..ya all dont have to worry about minimum wage any more.

I just heard that Colorado has changed their minimum wage laws. They have REDUCED the amount. That is the first time in the history of this country that that has happened. This is setting a precedent and it could have very serious ramifications for everyone that works in this country. I will leave it there.

 

[wifezilla]

It only went down a couple of cents to match the federal minimum wage.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

It only went down a couple of cents to match the federal minimum wage.

And.....you don't see a problem with that? :/ What happens when a rock starts rolling down hill?

 

[wifezilla]

I don't see a problem with that.

If all I can pay for a particular job is $5, and someone WANTS to work for that $5, but the government says he has to get $7, but I can't pay $7, how does that help either of us?

I have little odd jobs at my company that I could easily pay $5 for. I can't pay $7 plus workman's comp premiums plus payroll tax plus health insurance for them. So hubby and I just end up doing them ourselves.

If a teen wanted to learn the business, see if it was a field he would want to further pursue during summer vacation, I could do that too....IF I didn't have to practically adopt him to do it.

There are times with the hours I put in I am making less than minimum wage. It is just the way things go sometime. I don't have a guaranteed salary or any job security as a small business owner. Yet I am supposed to protect and care for someone else who has none of the risks and not nearly the tax liability as me?

What we have done is used independent contractors. We will continue to do that as we can, but again the gvnmt interferes. It is harder and harder for someone to be an independent contractor. The minute you set a time for getting something done, they are now considered an employee.

If your business takes a downturn and you have to let an employee go, now you are paying a hefty unemployment premium. You already couldn't afford to pay a salary and now you get hit again with extra unemployment insurance expense. If the person you hired turned out to be a thief or was just incompetent, there is still a chance you can get stuck paying for that person's mistakes through higher premiums. Even if you fire them for just cause, unemployment hearings don't always go the way they should.

So the question is, is partial employment better than no employment? Would you rather have $5 or $0?

 

[Ladyhawke1]

If I respond with my thoughts on the subject, I will be shut down. I can never understand why my experiences and views cause so much consternation. I was always taught to tell the truth. I see, I feel and I express. When I see another cut, I too feel the pain.

That is called empathy. I feel that this trait no longer exists in this county. We have been talked/convinced that it does not exist and if one feels it, it makes you a weak person.

I DO understand other peoples concerns. I was just taught that I am not in this world just for myself. If I am just looking out for me that makes the world a much tougher place to live in.

I believe that it was Mandela who said it is easier to help a man up than to hold him down. If you spend your entire effort holding, someone else downyou can make no progress yourself. I am NOT saying that anyone here does that. Most people play by the ruleswhose rules are they anyway? If we do not take control of how our world is run, in order to help all human kind then we are lost.

For the humanity that we have created with our contempt, I will guarantee you that there will come a day when there will be no wall or gate high enough to keep out those for which we have neglected and left behind. Their will to survive is just as great as ours. And.their numbers are growing at alarming rates.

It all starts with just a trickle. Unless we help now, the forth coming tide, will wash us all away.

Ok, now you can throw me off the board. :/

 

[nittygrittydirtdigger]

Compassion, empathy, respect for those less materially endowed......? Where have I heard those concepts before????

Oh yeah, every spiritual leader ever to walk the earth.

Off to order more op heirloom seeds....