I mentioned a couple of days ago that I was doing some research for an Op-Ed to the Union Tribune responding to a recent article on the farm bill. I thought I’d put it up here as well in case some of you are not familiar with how our commodities programs affect the poor.
I also hoped this would inspire some of you to consider doing the same. I spent about an hour doing research and an hour writing the piece. Visit bread.org to find out how to write a letter to the editor of your local paper.
Letter to the editor in response to August 4, 2007 article, House of ill repute
Corn is a problem that hits closer to home. We export corn at prices 20% below the actual cost of production. Mexican corn farmers have been put out of business due to their inability to compete which does not help the already pressing immigration situation we face here in
How can we sit back and watch a few individuals get rich by offering what are essentially bribes to our representatives while the poorest people of this world are marginalized and left (unjustly) to compete with artificial prices? There is only one reason I can think of – that we are not informed. If we believed that our policies were truly hurting, or even worse killing the underprivileged in the 3rd world, more would be working to stop these hurtful practices. And if it is true then, we must act.
Cory Verner
<address>
<phone number>
Go here to read the original article in the Union Trib.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Paubloe // Aug 14, 2007 at 10:54 am
Cory- have just started reading your blog and found myself thinking more about why and what you expect to accomplish, satisfy, realize, complete, bring about etc.. than what your actually doing about it. I read somewhere in your blog it was to bring about Awareness and action on your part and perhaps others.
This is conmendable on your part. I hope to help.
You wrote you decided Liberia was the calling. Yet did not want to go there to see it for yourself. I agree, why go to a civil war torn pitful country to see it for yourself. Never mind that “seeing is believing.” The pictures, news stories, books and internet bring forth enough visual and written word to satisfy the cause and the images and stirings inside one’s self to want to do something, to help somehow no matter how little or great.
Liberia- migrated, invaded, partitioned and conquered for centuries. And still more coup’s and civil wars as we breathe. At one time an American Society sent freed African American slaves later called Americo-Liberians.
In 2006 Liberia, had the highest population growth in the world. Majority of the population is youth.
Liberia’s government is also modeled after the US government… go figure.
Did Liberia ever have no poverty? Was it was once a nice place to visit (even centuries ago) and the people that lived there were productive and had futures to look forward to? What happened?
In fact, what has happened to all the 3rd World places I see portrayed and written about on TV commericals, TV News, Internet blogs, Books, magazines and even Newspapers. All with cause to end the poverty to send the money, food and shelter. And yet when it arrives, more is still needed.
I see these images and ask why bother? The cycle seems endless. The pleas for food and resources feed the military industrial complex, the dictatorships, the wars and greedy individuals who care nothing for human life and suffering.
Poverty from dictionary.com
Poverty denotes serious lack of the means for proper existence: living in a state of extreme poverty. Destitution, a somewhat more literary word, implies a state of having absolutely none of the necessities of life: widespread destitution in countries at war. Need emphasizes the fact that help or relief is necessary.
Do these people know that they are in poverty? Until a camera or journalist, a novelist, a missionary or some other human who is not in their situation stands before them and tells/shows them they are poor, malnourished, underpriviliged, destitute they are going to continue the same cycle for generations. Many will see these images, read with horror the pain and suffering being committed and form groups and organizations to gather funds, food, shelter. In the end it is only a band-aid.
On your must read list you listed the Bible as one of the best examples of poverty. I see this and think Poverty has been around 2500 years if not more and yet it has not been eliminated at present day.. why? It must be part of the cycle of human suffering so we can compare ourselves to others and appreciate what we have and only hope to not endure ourselves.
There will be more from me on this later. In meantime, keep up the information and commitment.
2 admin // Aug 22, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Hey Paul,
It’s great to hear from you. We’ll have to talk more about Liberia when you have a chance.
Yah, poverty will always be here, there’s no doubt about it. What we’re talking about here, though, is extreme poverty. Poverty that kills those who could have been saved with a few dollars. I keep harping on this point, but 180+ countries have committed to end extreme poverty by 2030. In my opinion the Millennium Development Goals are more than just bandaids; they have the potential to end the cycle. It’s true, we’ve seen a lot of wasted money given with little to nothing to show for it. But this plan is better. By addressing education, development programs, infrastructure, and by focusing on proven and tested programs like microloans, training programs for women and the like, it is finally possible to do something that was impossible only decades ago.
That is the dream that has captured my attention.
3 Paubloe // Sep 6, 2007 at 11:48 am
Despite the new plans and all the intentions of those plans and programs… they still do not overcome the wars and killing that takes place that causes so much of this extreme poverty
4 Cory // Sep 6, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Hi Paul,
Have you read the book Banker to the Poor? I’m about half way through it. I think it might convince you otherwise. Micro-loans seem to be a great option to help people overcome poverty. If you read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
C
Leave a Comment