This is probably a joke. I hope so. If I believed it could be sincere,
I would respond with the following:
-------------------------------------
I may never stop screaming.
I specifically boycott all goods made by prison labor, since it is
exploitative of not only of prisoners, but more importantly of those
working people who have NOT turned to crime as a lifestyle.
The organic agriculture paradigm was created by shunning short-term
economic theory. I don't think this will ever fly, if the consumers
know about it; it would have to be kept from them intentionally. Since
the point of organic marketing is to make full information available to
the consumer, this lovely scenario would be better pursued in the
"conventional" agriculture sphere. I just heard they are cutting the
tails off of dairy cows for "economic" reasons, so probably they
wouldn't bat an eye at this suggestion either.
Not only that, but some our more sleazy mall stores have been using the
"made in america" marketing, which appeals to those who deliberately
support working non-criminal fellow citizens, to label goods made by
prisoners as "made in america." It is a "solution" which "works" right
at this moment, because many people are simply unaware that it is going
on. Most people currently believe it to be illegal, being so clearly
repugnant a concept.
I can't wait to post this incredible suggestion at the natural foods
coop and see everybody mobilize for the boycott.
> Much of the prison population is illiterate, farm work is a learned low
> skill profession that does not require literacy. Individuals would be
> outside growing food which would provide emmence psychological and self
> esteem benefits as well as practical job skills for their futures after
> prison.
Sounds like a great idea, if you propose that these people should be
taught to grow their own organic food for their own consumption. They
would learn all the skills and improve their diets.
> What happens when
> they are released? How are they any better off?
Then when they are released, they will know enough to begin organic
farming, and ride the crest of this wonderful wave of commerce. Surely
that's what you mean?
> I'm curious if there are any farmers out there, who
> contract out to prisoners, and how open growers are to this idea.
I suppose we'd all like to know that! Well, here's one more reason to
only buy from people we know personally. So much for the integrity of
commerce.
Just when I think I can no longer be surprised.....
Loren Muldowney
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