Re: 40,000 U.S. farmers, but not one ounce of reason
Frederick R. Magdoff (fmagdoff@moose.uvm.edu)
Sat, 12 Nov 1994 12:00:43 -0500 (EST)
Jim Chen has laid out a very bleak future for farmers and agriculture in the
US. I think that it is most likely a realistic one ***given the current
alternatives up for discussion. However - if the normal workings of the
economy lead us to a most unpleasant outcome, it seems that we ought to
be able to devise alternatives in which other issues come into play aside
from allowing the most efficient (or most able to protect themselves) to
survive while others are driven out. A. Smith's "invisible hand" will not
ever create economic or social justice. Given the current climate,
it is almost comical to talk about changing how basic economic decisions
are made in our society. However, if we don't start exploring these issues
seriously, the outlook for the earth's environment as well as many people -
including the farm families that remain as well as those apparently stuck
forever in inner city ghettos - is not pleasant.
Fred Magdoff
tel:802-656-0472
fax:802-656-4656