End of Steven Blank's nonesense

Ronald Nigh (danamex@mail.internet.com.mx)
Fri, 19 Mar 1999 17:19:10 -0600

In a posting called "Articles in The Futurist" we learn that Steven Blank,
an extension economist from UC Davis (earning your tax dollars to help
farmers!) informs that American agriculture is no longer profitable and so
should be abanoned. Although one gets used to such neoconservative dreamy
twaddle, from The Futurist, this one really takes the cake.

I couldn't help but think of Dr. Blank when I read the following article
today in the NY Times:

March 19, 1999

>U.S. Trade Deficit Soars as Imports Increase Sharply

WASHINGTON -- As American exports continued to fall, the
United States trade deficit jumped to a monthly record of nearly $17
billion in January, fueled by a flood of imports from China that could stir
further protectionist sentiments in Congress.

Among the imports flowing into the United States, Chinese-made
steel surged 65 percent from December. On Wednesday, the House of
Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would sharply limit steel
imports, a movement that may gain momentum now that China is joining Japan,
Brazil and Russia on the list of nations pouring inexpensive steel into the
American market....
>

It would seem that farming isn't the only business having trouble with
foreign competition these days. I guess we better stop making steel too,
right Dr. Blank? I suppose it would be foolish to propose an alternative:
policies that favor our domestic economy rather than multinational capital
flying around the world looking for the most downtrodden, cheap labor force.

Where I think Dr. Blank blanks out is, not in saying that farming is a
business and must make a profit--it has always been thus since the earliest
times. Rather it is to purvey the logic that the only function of business
is to maximize profit, even if it is at the expense of the welfare of our
society.

I know some organic farmers that aren't doing to badly as businesses--maybe
its time to ask them to help reduce the US trade budget and bail out the
steel industry. End of agriculture , huh?

Ronald Nigh
Dana, A.C.
Mexico, D.F. & San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas
Tel. y FAX 525-666-73-66 (DF)
529-678-72-15 (Chiapas)
danamex@mail.internet.com.mx

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