After several years of our government allowing the wonderful
trade plan in effect today, Americans are now importing as much
food as we export!
Dear Editor,
After several years of our government allowing the wonderful trade plan in effect today, Americans are now importing as much food as we export!
Wake up Americans. We used to be a self-sufficient country, now we are dependent.
The sorrow is that we hear that we must keep “ag productive” lands in ag. That same government wanting ag to stay in ag has put such economic burdens on the American farmer/rancher, and has allowed for this unbalanced trade, that the farmer/rancher is now the one facing extinction.
Productive is one thing, income producing is another. The herbicide and pesticide and labor laws were needed. They have improved the environment and the living standards of the people who we depend on to do all of the work it takes to bring the product to the table. However, it is costly. Then we turn around and purchase lower-priced foods, out of season. It is great to have grapes in February.
If those countries don’t have our stringent regulations, (I’ll bet they don’t) they will pack on the herbicides, and pesticides and have children pick and carry the food for pennies an hour. So we are being hypocritical when we pick and then purchase that product from another country.
I have written about this subject before. It is not going to get better. Look for and buy American, and if you can, California products this year. Write to the officials your concerns for equal trade. Demand that this be a priority in the next year.
If you continue to buy from other countries, and the nation continues, then you cannot ask the farmer/rancher to hand down generations of land used for farming to a generation that cannot feed their family.
Your buying habits will be the reason they are left with no choice but subdividing
Whether it is prime ag, or substandard soil, everything is dependent upon the all-mighty dollar to live.
Sally A. Haydon, Hollister
