Howdy folks, this blog is a bit of a departure for me. I find that with everything going on in the world, I have rumblings in my mind, and things I just want to get out. So I thought I'd give blogging another try.
As in the past, many things were discussed upon front porches, with sweet tea, coffee, beer, what have you. The things discussed were generally of the sort that we were admonished not to talk about: Politics, Sports, Religion. Though also discussed was the weather, crops, livestock, kids, etc. So I am going to follow in this grand tradition by talking about the things on my mind. These are opinions, I do not claim to be an expert at anything. I know a bit about a lot, and a lot about a bit. But then that's true for most I think.
Some of what I write will be questions I am trying to work through, and if anyone has help, I'd greatly appreciate it.
And if the mood strikes, I may write somethings that sound like a Rant, it probably is...just fair warning.
Well, results are coming in from the polls, which means we are in November of a political year....and my thoughts are firmly on the Washington State I - 522 about GMO Labeling. I don't care how it was written, whether it was written well, or poorly. I don't care that it might cost a bit more for the producers, and possibly to the consumers (really, has anything gotten cheaper over time???) What I question is why anyone would look at the staggering amount of money that Monsanto, Dow Chemicals, and the big box companies like General Mills, Coca Cola, Pepsi etc have poured into this campaign upon the NO side. Really, something like 22 million dollars, just to keep from putting some extra writing upon their boxes and cans....Why? Especially when they already do this in countries, COUNTRIES not states; where they don't even allow GMO's to be grown or processed.
It seems simple, we already label the ingredients, that go into a product, and companies change their packaging often enough, all without passing the cost on to the consumer... so what is their real fear?
Upon reflection, The only reason I see that a company throws money at this type of legislation, is that they fear losing far more money in people not buying their product when they have to comply. In the case of Monsanto, and others, it also could be a fear that this will start the ball rolling and other states may enact similar laws, until the entire country is mandating GMO labeling (much like 28 or more other countries, like Germany, Austria, and the UK....Then what's next, will we start disallowing production of GM crops, and if so, what happens to those companies? Perhaps that is why they shove a CEO's salary at a problem, rather than allowing us to choose, will we eat natural products, or something created in a laboratory.
At last glance it appears that the YES vote is in danger of losing. Does this mean that people don't want choice? I think not. The great game of politics is often who can outspend the other. And with the huge bankrolls from the corporations, the YES vote had no hope of matching them dollar for dollar. And simply couldn't get the word out beyond the choir.
Can we have a moral victory with this? Possibly. Will people talk about it in non-election years? Will other states learn of our issues, and game plan accordingly. What those people who voted yes do in the future? I know that I will watch what companies I spend my money on. I will continue to grow some of my own food, and prepare foods at home. I will continue to visit local restaurants, as I don't want them to suffer for some Giant Corporations arrogance. If all this occurs, we will have a moral victory from this, and it will go down as the start. If any of it falls apart, big business wins, and we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Well enough of that. I hope to write something daily, though that may change if nothing pops into my head.
Just remember, we all have a say, but everything we can say shouldn't be said, unless it's at the right time and right place.
