The current lemming-like rush to ethanol has created the usual unintended consequences that politicians never seem to address. This time, however, the very food supply of the nation is at risk as they sing their siren song "ethhhhhanoooollllll".
Milk, meat, and poultry prices are escalating. The Great Value (store brand) milk at Wal-Mart went up $1.18 in a week from $2.50 to $3.68. Premium brands, like Meadow Gold, are over $4.15.
In addition, the prices of beer and tequila are slated to escalate as the farmers in Mexico shun the Blue Agave for corn which has doubled in price there. Food riots in Mexico over the price of the tortilla were narrowly averted by the government stepping in and placing price controls on corn.
Beer will become more pricey as farmers move away from barley.
In the United States, the feeder corn prices have escalated as the rush to ethanol depletes the supply.
Farmers are switching to corn crops for the ethanol subsidies and the results of that shoe are yet to drop. If soy farmers are lured we could see wholesale crisis in this country.
It takes more energy to produce a gallon of ethanol that the energy it can produce. If every aerable acre of land in the entire United States were to be planted with corn; and every ear grown turned into ethanol, the offset of foreign oil would be a mere 17%.
The United States is teetering on the brink of being the first country in world history to burn up its food supply to satisfy a political agenda. At least the Romans were more forthright in their day. They simply salted the fields.
High food prices affect the poor mostly. As they see the percentage of their already meager food budget increase to the point it is affecting their ability to supply the other necessities to their families they will become increasingly discontent.
When your legislators have their open houses in your area, you need to get in there and tell them what they are doing and how it is affecting the economy at large -- especially the food supply. Make them understand that they do not want to be on the receiving end of the enmity of a starving people.
It -- won't -- be -- pretty.
Milk, meat, and poultry prices are escalating. The Great Value (store brand) milk at Wal-Mart went up $1.18 in a week from $2.50 to $3.68. Premium brands, like Meadow Gold, are over $4.15.
In addition, the prices of beer and tequila are slated to escalate as the farmers in Mexico shun the Blue Agave for corn which has doubled in price there. Food riots in Mexico over the price of the tortilla were narrowly averted by the government stepping in and placing price controls on corn.
Beer will become more pricey as farmers move away from barley.
In the United States, the feeder corn prices have escalated as the rush to ethanol depletes the supply.
Farmers are switching to corn crops for the ethanol subsidies and the results of that shoe are yet to drop. If soy farmers are lured we could see wholesale crisis in this country.
It takes more energy to produce a gallon of ethanol that the energy it can produce. If every aerable acre of land in the entire United States were to be planted with corn; and every ear grown turned into ethanol, the offset of foreign oil would be a mere 17%.
The United States is teetering on the brink of being the first country in world history to burn up its food supply to satisfy a political agenda. At least the Romans were more forthright in their day. They simply salted the fields.
High food prices affect the poor mostly. As they see the percentage of their already meager food budget increase to the point it is affecting their ability to supply the other necessities to their families they will become increasingly discontent.
When your legislators have their open houses in your area, you need to get in there and tell them what they are doing and how it is affecting the economy at large -- especially the food supply. Make them understand that they do not want to be on the receiving end of the enmity of a starving people.
It -- won't -- be -- pretty.