Quit Blaming America
I received an email from Jack who lives in Yuma, Arizona. Jack said he wanted to know my opinion of U.S. ag trade agreements that supposedly harm farmers in under-developed countries.
Jack, I am aware that American farmers are constantly ridiculed by under-developed nations for having far too high a level of crop subsidies and tariffs that protect U.S. growers against foreign competition.
In my view, when examined closely, these complaints are unfounded. First of all, the cost of production in these underdeveloped countries is next to nothing. Where as in the United States, the cost of production is very high. Also, American farmers are strapped with very restrictive government regulations that make farming in some other countries look like backyard gardening.
I’m a little tired of these third world countries blaming America for all their problems. I believe they need to look a little more closely into their own hearts and minds to figure out why they are where they are. And then maybe they can start to solve some of their own problems.
In some of these countries, they’re trying to farm on land that’s impossible to farm. The soil is just no good. But we keep sending them seed and ag assistance anyway. What we should send them are some u-hauls to help move them the heck out of there!
U.S. ag trade agreements are not way out of balance in our favor as some countries would like the world to believe. Besides, if you take away too much of the incentive for U.S. farmers to make a profit, the results could have a catastrophic effect on the world’s food supply.
Let me know what you think. You can always reach me by email by simply going to my web site at farmviewradio.com. That’s it for now. Until next time, always remember, no farms, no food! So long.
Joe Scott’s opinions are his own, and not necessarily those of this web site or its sponsors