Making money out of food.
Bankers get rich betting on food prices as millions starve.
Some of my friends argue that if it's legal then we can't complain.
I disagree strongly. I expect people to act ethically.
I wouldn't be surprised that with this philosophy, the rich will make fuel for cars out of food while the poor starve.
We must stop this.
But how?
Any ideas.
4 comments:
It has always been thus. I am surprised that you are surprised.
Does it bother me? I try not to let it. The world's rich (and we are rich indeed by the 'world's poor' standards) have always benefited by storing food (or destroying it?) while those in poor countries (often the food producers' workers) cannot afford to buy a 'loaf of bread' because of rising prices. I do believe this is what happened to grain when crops failed in some countries.
Shocking indeed. But acid burning in my stomach (with worrying) will not bring justice to those whose stomachs burn with hunger. Wickedness in these matters ferments worldwide hatred of those who live at the expense of the truly poor. Fair Trade does a little to help but are we more obsessed with getting food cheaply — then throwing much of it away! This is perhaps even more shocking.
The reason of course that I have a blog is partly to feel as though I've 'done something' by writing about it.
What can happen is that some bright spark finds a way of hitting out in favour of 'ethics'that I can agree with.
What surprises me is that so many people - really good friends of mine - believe that it's alright doing something if it's legal. I can't understand this. My own set of rules come far higher than the law of the land. I find it's essential to live my my rules whatever others may believe so my ethics win every time.
I then feel good about myself which is so important(to me).
I can understand that. We have our own way of doing things. For sure no-one is going to listen to me. But there are many like-minded people who find their way through the maze of ethical consideration by going against the greed which appears to be inherent in all of us — the entail of man's struggle for survival? — and in small way, try to adjust the scales. For some, buying Fair Trade food and goods. And/or supporting various charitable groups which endeavour to aid those with no voice (children, women, and so many people who are exploited throughout the world) towards a better life.
No doubt many rich people (including the richest of the most affluent, (whether their wealth has been gained through honest endeavour, mere good fortune or greed), give considerable sums either through a 'good spirit' or to salve their conscience. It is not for me to judge the motives of others. Ethical practice is the ideal but, for instance, how many ordinary people shop around to find the cheapest milk, vegetables, fruit, bread and so on, without giving any thought to those who struggle to produce it? (Home or abroad)
Many years ago we were told as children to eat up our food and not waste it — hungry children in the world would be only too glad to eat it. Ethically, is a country's population that throws away many tons of food a year while people go hungry at home or abroad, any better than those who make money by storing food to get higher prices?
Ethical practice should surely start in our own homes.
Well, you have done your bit of 'awareness' of ethical practice by posting on your blog. Personally, I consider the teaching of Jesus (particularly the Sermon on the Mount) highly relevent to this discussion.
Thanks as ever, Gladys, for your wise comments.
For me I'm thrilled to bits with a beautiful/satisfying/great-place-to-meet-people/ sun, snow, views and people - walk over Hoad. Great to still have a body and mind that's up to it.
Now back to the complexities of understanding Wordpress and such things as Woosliders - the ultimate gadget for a web site that uses Wordpress. My very limited memory is having a hard time understanding it - but I'm getting there. . . Very very very slowly.
Post a Comment