The Freedom of Choice Vol. IV: “Basic Necessities”
January 23rd 2011 11:46
In the midst of a world economic crisis that has left millions without a means of earning a living across the globe and hundreds of thousands homeless; it has become harder and harder to think about the simplest necessities.
Necessities of life that go beyond the over abundance of food and water in some parts of the world while other parts are left to fight for resources.
When we dig past the dramatics of being appreciative for the good fortunes of having access to these things what we are faced with is a dark reality.
A dark reality that has left men and women across the globe without a realistic choice in their daily lives…
A choice in the safety of the food we eat because of a lack of oversight and public information on the processes that happen between the way livestock is raised and vegetables are cultivated on the farm and the food that is served on our dinner, lunch or breakfast plates.
For decades, wild stories have been told about the way food is prepared in restaurants across the globe, chemical additives are added to make food more addictive or palatable and wars have been waged against carbohydrates, transfats and additives.
For all this caution and alarm there has been another war to avoid the harsh realities that go beyond preventative measures that can be avoided by reading labels and staying informed.
A war that involves Federal Agencies constructed to protect consumers in their respective countries from industries run amok but have become extensions of the very same corporations.
For all the work that has been done to shield the public from things “un-healthy” the core of the problem exists at the beginning.
From the pesticides that are still used on the vegetables that become the main source of sustenance for vegetarians to the steroids, hormones and spread of communicable diseases from overcrowding situations among livestock; modern society needs to be re-evaluated.
Re-evaluated in thinking about alternatives bigger than the current “organic movement” that has become polluted with the same big money thinking that created the problems facing the mainstream food industry.
When we take an honest look at the problems with the environment, food industry and protection of our natural resources it all comes back to the same issue.
An issue of how we allowed ourselves to disconnect from the realities in front of our faces by making light of the situation, transforming the conversation into radicalism for animal rights or environmental activism or simply saying that none of it affects our lives.
For every salmonella or e-coli outbreak, acid rainfall, polluted drinking water supply, flu epidemic, lost animal species and other crisis that is a result of the way we live our lives there is no blame to be placed on any individual or a nation state.
The only blame to be dished out is for not paying closer attention as a society to the actions of our representatives that worked hand and hand with corporations to create a system of pay to play where the biggest corporations that relied on the cheapest systems were the only players left standing
Cheaper processing of meat that has been the source for salmonella and e-coli outbreaks, disregard for the affects of pesticides, steroids and antibiotics would have on consumers and lack of regard for the damage that would be present in the soil 10, 20 or 50 years down the road.
Living lives with our heads buried in the sand on issues that will affect our children and children’s children is just as dangerous as supporting our pied piper fascination with crude oil.
What we are playing with is an invisible flame everyone can feel burning from across the room but are not willing to acknowledge because of being confronted with small choices.
Choices, by going “organic” that has now been placed into question with mainstream corporations opening up FDA regulated organic farms that use the same pesticide rich soil as their mainstream counterparts and the loosening of federal regulations for organic meat that never had any regard for where and how the meat is processed and are loosening the meaning of simple terms like “Organic” “Free Range” and “Cage Free”.
As society has progressed, the issue of finding safety in the food we eat and the water we drink along with protecting other natural resources has become more and more extreme.
Government that allows the people to be part of the process is supposed to be a reflection of their will.
More and more, governments across the globe have become a reflection of the money hungry atmosphere that exists in societies that have lost touch with the basic necessities.
Necessities that should be about the cleanliness of the land, air and food a society consumes rather than confusing over abundance for progress.
Without these things we are doomed to pass on the hardships of obesity, disease and lack of knowledge onto the next generations along with a laundry list of other issues that will arise in a society that lacks choice.
For more conversations about choice, the environment, food, movie reviews, music, politics, culture and life be sure to check out the other blogs at www.politicsandculture.net and check out the links to my other social networking pages on Facebook Myspace, Youtube and Twitter.
Please also click the vote button and the featured ads for this and other blogs on www.politicsandculture.net to show your support for the cause that isn’t about finding a place where everyone can agree on issues but is about finding a place where everyone can join the conversation and have their voice heard by commenting below or on the individual social networking links.
Comments for discussion are always encouraged and welcome.
Follow Me on Youtube
Click Here
Facebook Fan Page
Click Here
Friend me on Facebook
Click Here
Friend me on Myspace
Click Here
Follow Me on Twitter
Click Here
Necessities of life that go beyond the over abundance of food and water in some parts of the world while other parts are left to fight for resources.
When we dig past the dramatics of being appreciative for the good fortunes of having access to these things what we are faced with is a dark reality.
A dark reality that has left men and women across the globe without a realistic choice in their daily lives…
A choice in the safety of the food we eat because of a lack of oversight and public information on the processes that happen between the way livestock is raised and vegetables are cultivated on the farm and the food that is served on our dinner, lunch or breakfast plates.
For decades, wild stories have been told about the way food is prepared in restaurants across the globe, chemical additives are added to make food more addictive or palatable and wars have been waged against carbohydrates, transfats and additives.
For all this caution and alarm there has been another war to avoid the harsh realities that go beyond preventative measures that can be avoided by reading labels and staying informed.
A war that involves Federal Agencies constructed to protect consumers in their respective countries from industries run amok but have become extensions of the very same corporations.
For all the work that has been done to shield the public from things “un-healthy” the core of the problem exists at the beginning.
From the pesticides that are still used on the vegetables that become the main source of sustenance for vegetarians to the steroids, hormones and spread of communicable diseases from overcrowding situations among livestock; modern society needs to be re-evaluated.
Re-evaluated in thinking about alternatives bigger than the current “organic movement” that has become polluted with the same big money thinking that created the problems facing the mainstream food industry.
When we take an honest look at the problems with the environment, food industry and protection of our natural resources it all comes back to the same issue.
An issue of how we allowed ourselves to disconnect from the realities in front of our faces by making light of the situation, transforming the conversation into radicalism for animal rights or environmental activism or simply saying that none of it affects our lives.
For every salmonella or e-coli outbreak, acid rainfall, polluted drinking water supply, flu epidemic, lost animal species and other crisis that is a result of the way we live our lives there is no blame to be placed on any individual or a nation state.
The only blame to be dished out is for not paying closer attention as a society to the actions of our representatives that worked hand and hand with corporations to create a system of pay to play where the biggest corporations that relied on the cheapest systems were the only players left standing
Cheaper processing of meat that has been the source for salmonella and e-coli outbreaks, disregard for the affects of pesticides, steroids and antibiotics would have on consumers and lack of regard for the damage that would be present in the soil 10, 20 or 50 years down the road.
Living lives with our heads buried in the sand on issues that will affect our children and children’s children is just as dangerous as supporting our pied piper fascination with crude oil.
What we are playing with is an invisible flame everyone can feel burning from across the room but are not willing to acknowledge because of being confronted with small choices.
Choices, by going “organic” that has now been placed into question with mainstream corporations opening up FDA regulated organic farms that use the same pesticide rich soil as their mainstream counterparts and the loosening of federal regulations for organic meat that never had any regard for where and how the meat is processed and are loosening the meaning of simple terms like “Organic” “Free Range” and “Cage Free”.
As society has progressed, the issue of finding safety in the food we eat and the water we drink along with protecting other natural resources has become more and more extreme.
Government that allows the people to be part of the process is supposed to be a reflection of their will.
More and more, governments across the globe have become a reflection of the money hungry atmosphere that exists in societies that have lost touch with the basic necessities.
Necessities that should be about the cleanliness of the land, air and food a society consumes rather than confusing over abundance for progress.
Without these things we are doomed to pass on the hardships of obesity, disease and lack of knowledge onto the next generations along with a laundry list of other issues that will arise in a society that lacks choice.
For more conversations about choice, the environment, food, movie reviews, music, politics, culture and life be sure to check out the other blogs at www.politicsandculture.net and check out the links to my other social networking pages on Facebook Myspace, Youtube and Twitter.
Please also click the vote button and the featured ads for this and other blogs on www.politicsandculture.net to show your support for the cause that isn’t about finding a place where everyone can agree on issues but is about finding a place where everyone can join the conversation and have their voice heard by commenting below or on the individual social networking links.
Comments for discussion are always encouraged and welcome.
Follow Me on Youtube
Click Here
Facebook Fan Page
Click Here
Friend me on Facebook
Click Here
Friend me on Myspace
Click Here
Follow Me on Twitter
Click Here
| 29 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
