U.S. Farm Bureau Declares War on Sustainable Food

[Ladyhawke1]

http://www.commondreams.org/home

Welcome to the real world. :bee

 

[Ladyhawke1]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/02/13-0

I know my days are numbered.

 

[seedcorn]

I own a business. I don't have the luxury of being a snot towards my customers. I have to actually listen to them and give them what they need at a reasonable price or I go out of business.

So you interview every person in your area and stock what they want? I'm sure there are people who really appreciate your store and you. I'm also sure that there are people that wonder why your store is even there and would be happy to tell you how to improve it. So you change your store daily to suit the whims of non-customers?

You believe if I go into a shoe store, demand USA made shoes. Made w/leather as good as we had in the 40's, hand made like the 40's and want it at China slave labor prices, that is reasonable? Please tell me where that store is as I need a new pair of work boots. That is reasonable correct?

 

[Ladyhawke1]

I own a business. I don't have the luxury of being a snot towards my customers. I have to actually listen to them and give them what they need at a reasonable price or I go out of business.

So you interview every person in your area and stock what they want? I'm sure there are people who really appreciate your store and you. I'm also sure that there are people that wonder why your store is even there and would be happy to tell you how to improve it. So you change your store daily to suit the whims of non-customers?

You believe if I go into a shoe store, demand USA made shoes. Made w/leather as good as we had in the 40's, hand made like the 40's and want it at China slave labor prices, that is reasonable? Please tell me where that store is as I need a new pair of work boots. That is reasonable correct?

This country used to manufacture all of its own goods. Now only about ten persent of goods are manufactured in this country. The only real wealth is that which you manufacture. You bring back manufacturing to this country and you pay good wages and people have money they pay taxes and they buy your products. Don't force me to post the imperial evidence.

 

[seedcorn]

This country used to manufacture all of its own goods. Now only about ten persent of goods are manufactured in this country. The only real wealth is that which you manufacture. You bring back manufacturing to this country and you pay good wages and people have money they pay taxes and they buy your products. Don't force me to post the imperial evidence.

No problem w/this view. More of our jobs are shipped to slave labor countries all the time. We only seem to care when it affects "me".

Really ticks me off, government bails out GM and now they are shipping 140+ jobs out of local area to Mexico. Closed down a local factory. I'm sure Mexico pays the same wages, benefits and abides by same safe labor & EPA laws as USA........ Just like they do in Ag, NOT.

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Why do we allow them to send our jobs overseas? We all act as if we are helpless. We could all stand outside of this plant and protest. A lot of us are out of workwhat better way to use ones time. Someday these protests will get big.and when they get big enough .and they are coming things will get changed .because voting does not seem to work anymoretoo much $$$$$ in politics. I have one vote, one vote one dollar. I lose!

Ewwwww we do not want to be called troublemakers. Our friends and neighbors might get upset with us. So, in order NOT to upset the status quo we go a long to get along.

You have to fight for the other peoples rights too. If you see another person getting the snot beaten out of him...do you just standby and do nothing. If you keep letting the bully get away with itthen you may be next. I tend to make things simple. There is nothing complicated with this strategy. What we want and need is a choice. It takes effort and dedication and no one should have to get hurt doing it.

 

[wifezilla]

If my customers make a request and I can't fulfill it, I tell them where they can get what they need. I also research to see if there is enough demand to offer that product or service at my location. Sometimes I add a product or service and sometimes I end up sending them somewhere else. Either way, the customers are happy and they come back for the things I do have (they also tell their friends about me).

I DO NOT...

Misrepresent their request or in other ways act defensive

Mock, scorn or ridicule the customers

Try to convince my customers they are stupid for wanting something I can't offer

Decide they aren't REALLY my customers anyway since they aren't buying immediately the limited thing I want to offer and blow them off completely

Refuse to entertain the possibility of shifting some of my offerings to meet new demands

 

[nittygrittydirtdigger]

From "Talking Dirt: The Dirt Diva's Down-to-Earth Guide to Organic Gardening by Annie Spiegelman (as quoted in Back Home magazine):

In the years between 1941 and 1943, the US Dept of Agriculture estimated more than 20 million Victory Gardens were planted on public and private land in the United States and 40% of our total produce came from those gardens.

(and if I recall my history correctly, a large number of men were at war and a large number of women were working the factories, so many of these gardens were tended in "spare time")

 

[lesa]

And that in a nutshell is why Monsanto is so nervous. 40% would really cut into their bottom line!! Lets get gardening!!!

 

[vfem]

Thank you Nitty for that info!

Everyone else, I think we are getting a bit off topic.