Subsidizing Hunger

Yes, you read the title correctly. We here in the US are actually promoting hunger abroad, through our antiquated system of farm subsidies. How does that work? Let me explain. No, there is not enough time; let me sum up...

The government (that's us, people) pays farmers a minimum price for certain crops - wheat, rice, corn, and soybeans to name a few.

Since farmers know they can get a specific price, guaranteed, for those crops, they produce a LOT of them, as opposed to taking their chances on the fair market value of other crops.

There are huge surpluses, then, in the US, and we can export those crops very cheaply to other countries, where the local farmers are then basically put out of business. Wonderful. We are giving subsidies to our farmers and trashing the economies of many rural nations.

But wait, you say: those farmers need help! They are the good old boys of our country, the backbone of our nation. Riiiiight. Look at who gets the money - almost 75% of total subsidy money goes to about 10% of our farmers - the richest 10%. And some of those recipients are corporations - want some examples?? Recipients of five- and six-figure farm subsidy payments included John Hancock Life Insurance Co., Chevron, banker David Rockefeller, and basketball star Scottie Pippen. Argh.

This whole system started in the 1930s, when it was needed. Today, it's a different story. Besides, why are farmers any more important than grocers, or bankers, or oil rig workers? Everyone chooses a job and takes the consequences; I do contract work because it affords me the ability to have a flexible schedule; does that mean I should get unemployment money if my contract ends, or that anyone should feel sorry for me if I have no work for a few months? NO! It's a risk I take to have the job I have.

One more glitch in the system: by growing the crops (like wheat, rice, corn, and soy) that are subsidized, there's another victim - the globe. Those crops use planting and harvesting methods that encourage and promote the use of huge vehicles that burn tons of fuel and add to global warming (as opposed to crops like broccoli or squash, that give more jobs to blue-collar workers and use lots less fossil fuel for harvesting).

So, when you see the next farm bill come up for vote, write to your congressperson and say NO.

Now, go eat some broccoli and a couple parsnips. :-)

Happy Holidays

Well, I finally got pictures sorted, labeled, and posted to my Flickr account! You can click on the evil-looking square happy face to the right of this post (under My Photos) and you'll be able to see 140 pictures of my trip, complete with (in some cases) descriptions. Please comment at will; I love feedback.

This has been, for me, not one of the best holiday seasons I've had. Still, I love my kids, my friends, and my family. More than anything, I love to see the people I love happy. When I get to sit back and watch someone I love enjoy a gift I gave, it helps to fill in some of those little, black, empty spaces in my soul. During the year, I'd love to just buy things for the people I love, but somehow it's less acceptable if there isn't a "reason" for it. I would like the only reason to be love, but Christmas is a good excuse, too.

I am absolutely not a Christian, but I do have a deep and abiding belief and faith in one God. Since most other religions also believe in one God, I have to logically believe that we are all praying to the same guy (or girl, or whatever). So, for me it doesn't matter if it's Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwaanza, or whatever else. Life is about the gifts that we bestow on others, whether those gifts are happiness, wisdom, an iPod, or a pony. If I say, "Happy holidays," and people are insulted, so be it. Nobody's got a monopoly on giving or on happiness, nor should they. Can't Christians be happy for me that I'm finally in the spirit of the holidays, and leave me to my happy holidays in peace?

I get too caught up in the logic of it all, and try to argue, but to no avail. The next person who tells me that saying "Happy holidays" is an insult is going to get a question from me: "How would Jesus respond to that?" I'd like to think that, being the wise, prophetic man he was, he'd say, "Happy holidays to you, too! Any reason for true happiness is a good thing!"

Then he'd go back to playing heavenly board games with Buddha, Mohammed, Gandhi, MLK, Mother Teresa, and Roy Webb.

So, my holiday wish for the world is that we all learn to appreciate and cherish ANY happiness, not just the happiness that is inspired for our own particular reasons. A smile is a precious thing, and a light in our hearts is a huge gift, no matter where it comes from.

Be blessed, my friends. Happy holidays to everyone.

Love,
Janine