Vol. 76/No. 42 November 19, 2012
Drought, ethanol and hunger
As a grain farmer I have often said that I really don’t care what the buyers do with the corn that I produce as long as they pay me a decent price. Enough to pay my costs of production and a bit to live on.But with this drought, I am not only concerned about the very small amount of money I will get from my corn and soy bean crops along with the insurance I will collect, which will at best cover my costs. I am concerned about people in the world not having enough to eat.
Corn and soybeans are used in many food products (corn: corn meal, cereal, cornstarch, corn oil, corn syrup, etc.; soybeans: too many food and industrial uses to list). All food prices are going to rise and working people everywhere will have a tougher time paying for their basic food necessities.
In the last big drought, the world population was not so dependent on the import of U.S. grains as they are today.
The price of U.S. corn and soybeans has increased to such an extent that countries that import from U.S. grain companies like ADM are getting less food for the same amount of money that they paid in past years.
Grain prices have doubled in the last year. Importing countries cannot pay double for the food they need.
There is a lot of corn going to produce ethanol today when it should be used to feed people. You cannot change the amount of corn that is harvested this year. The only way to increase the amount of grain available for food is by not allowing it to be used for ethanol.
I am not the only farmer who thinks this way. When I talk to others, one thing we agree upon is that this drought and the resulting decrease in corn and soybean production will create more hunger and famine.
This has made me realize how important the food that I produce is for others.
Randy Jasper
Muscoda, Wisc.
Using ‘Militant’ in prison
I was given your address from a fellow comrade/prisoner. I was told you offer a free trial to those who are indigent. I don’t know if this is true, but I’m asking anyway. I would really appreciate to share it with other prisoners in my revolutionary study group. We’d be up to date on the events in the outside world. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.A prisoner
Florida
Prisoners’ Fund
Enclosed is a small contribution to the Militant Prisoners’ Fund. The recent coverage in the paper of the thirst among those held in U.S. government hellholes for the fighting perspective laid out every week in the pages of the Militant is an indication of things to come within our class.Mike Galati
Spotsylvania, Va.
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