tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post1042547202385288032..comments2024-03-13T00:41:52.105-07:00Comments on Casual Kitchen: Ethanol Hurts the PoorDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-64351462949775455702013-02-09T12:55:45.567-08:002013-02-09T12:55:45.567-08:00To Alea - I know what you mean. That's why I ...To Alea - I know what you mean. That's why I put "farm" in quotations when I wrote "farm bill". The "farm" bill has very little to do with farmers these days, unfortunately. Little Old Lesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-34491499071214119292013-02-08T14:15:22.720-08:002013-02-08T14:15:22.720-08:00As a farmer's wife (in Idaho - no corn here) -...As a farmer's wife (in Idaho - no corn here) - I must reply to the farm bill comments. First of all 84% of the farm bill money goes to food programs such as school lunches and food stamps. Only 11% goes to farmers. So we're not getting as much as you think. Also - I think most farmers would agree, we'd be happy to get rid of subsidies if we were allowed to operate in a free market.<br /><br />I would also like to point out that research is being done to create ethanol out of corn stalks. That would allow 2 uses out of the same crop, and would keep prices for food & feed lower. I'm in agreement with several other commenters about eating so much corn - yes it's cheaper for people, but it can't be healthy.Aleanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-67573615507840554542013-02-07T09:18:23.486-08:002013-02-07T09:18:23.486-08:00For the record, I *do* think concentration corn pr...For the record, I *do* think concentration corn production on non-food uses hurts the poor.<br /><br />It also hurts the environment and the economy, which means it hurts everybody else too.<br /><br />IMO the ethanol policy is the manifestation of a cynical pretense of investing in renewable resources (by way of corporate giveaways) so that politicians can claim they are trying to reduce dependence on foreign oil without actually reducing the USE of foreign oil, which is processed and sold by politicians' corporate donors.chacha1http://www.ombailamos.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-79153734771274208182013-02-06T10:54:43.975-08:002013-02-06T10:54:43.975-08:00Anonymous, the various steps involved in processin...Anonymous, the various steps involved in processing and making ethanol collectively waste more fossil fuels than the ethanol itself replaces. I'll say this as clearly as I can: this is not how you lower oil prices. It simply doesn't follow.<br /><br />One more aspect to consider: look into the negative impact ethanol has on your car's fuel efficiency. There's quite a bit of evidence suggesting ethanol makes your car get worse gas mileage! Another irony, and another potential source of fossil fuel waste. I probably should have raised this issue in the post. <br /><br />DKDanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-18984025204288433792013-02-06T10:32:56.596-08:002013-02-06T10:32:56.596-08:00I like that you start post by saying "We here...I like that you start post by saying "We here at Casual Kitchen don't claim to be experts in energy policy." Because I sort am an expert (or at least aspiring to be) I know that high oil prices hurt the poor much more. Oil prices are a huge factor contributing to inflation, raising the price of everything and have been shown to be directly related to food prices http://www.fuelfreedom.org/myth-corn-ethanol-increases-food-prices/<br />Ethanol controls rising oil prices, so if anything, ethanol helps the poor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-60780776098717191992013-02-06T10:25:53.259-08:002013-02-06T10:25:53.259-08:00How can it be a well-meaning policy when it's ...How can it be a well-meaning policy when it's so obviously terrible? Well-meaning to help corn farmers? Ethanol producers?Binghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03151615235997350492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-48757646348650603782013-02-05T09:58:10.092-08:002013-02-05T09:58:10.092-08:00I just read the comments about the title on facebo...I just read the comments about the title on facebook, and had another thought:<br /><br />Is is possible that ethanol could actually HELP the poor (or disadvantaged, or whatever label seems least patronizing- haha) by raising the price of crappy processed corn products to the point where it becomes cheaper to eat locally grown, healthy produce?<br /><br />Hmmm...<br /><br />Naahh, that won't happen. They'll just increase the subsidies.Little Old Lesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-91010252634767152072013-02-05T09:39:17.671-08:002013-02-05T09:39:17.671-08:00This post is right on. But I just read your comme...This post is right on. But I just read your comment about keeping the thread narrowed on ethanol. I think that's pretty hard to do since the corn economy has been fully integrated into both food and energy for quite some time. <br />The "farm" bill (haha) helps corporations that grow and process corn (into tortillas and wallboard), corporations that make fertilizers and seed chemicals (yeah, they innoculate seed with anti-fungals and other yummy-ness), corporations that make medicine for cows (because they aren't meant to eat corn and it makes them sick), and lets not forget those big old energy corporations which not only provide the energy for making the fertilizers & medicines, but that also formulate and transport the 10% ethanol crap that doesn't even burn well in your car. <br />An endless list of companies benefit from the "farm" subsidies. Its just a big ol' party of lobbyists and corporate execs up there in DC, all bitching about high taxes. <br />I'm going to go check on my tomato seed starts, now. :)Little Old Lesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-9739379644508245332013-02-05T09:17:48.543-08:002013-02-05T09:17:48.543-08:00I personally favor ending ALL agricultural subsidi...I personally favor ending ALL agricultural subsidies for ALL commodities ... but would settle for ending all government payments to agricultural corporations earning more than 1 million dollars (gross) per year. That would cut the agriculture department's budget by, probably, 80% right there.<br /><br />I also favor invalidating all of Monsanto's GMO patents, but that's another rant. :-)chacha1http://www.ombailamos.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-56713101956925750412013-02-05T08:46:54.460-08:002013-02-05T08:46:54.460-08:00In addition to hurting the poor, it compounds the ...In addition to hurting the poor, it compounds the burden on taxpayers because when the poor can't afford their own food, they turn to government programs like WIC and food stamps. It hurts everybody.Beccanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-29518072205278391042013-02-05T06:53:39.008-08:002013-02-05T06:53:39.008-08:00I think the broader subject of corn and its role i...I think the broader subject of corn and its role in our food economy is beyond the scope of this post (it's also beyond my capabilities to discuss competently!). <br /><br />That said, I want to try to keep this thread focused on the more narrow issue of ethanol. <br /><br />DKDanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-51110324304370357002013-02-05T05:58:43.264-08:002013-02-05T05:58:43.264-08:00I hate corn. It's such a waste of money and la...I hate corn. It's such a waste of money and land space.<br /><br />The only reason why it's so popular is that the US governament is subsidizing it so heavily, it is now the cheapest crop that can be produced in America. <br /><br />In fact, so much excess corn is produced that we constantly *have* to find new ways to use it: from animal feeding to oil production to HFCS and now (mandatory!) ethanol.<br /><br />I have it stuck in my head that if corn was not so artificially cheap, we would be living in a healthier, saner society. And "grass fed" wouldn't translate to "crazy expensive".Lorisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-40184635961516299052013-02-05T03:55:51.346-08:002013-02-05T03:55:51.346-08:00The government doing something that makes no sense...The government doing something that makes no sense? (insert shocked face here). <br /><br />It's very sad. Our leaders are so nearsighted. Maybe they're thinking this deficit will resolve itself through higher volume?<br /><br />Another sad thing, that corn prices will affect the poor so much. I wish it weren't so, because they ate less processed foods. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing this, Dan. I never thought about it - probably because I expect our nation's leaders are competent. You know what they say about assuming...Emmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02100182709422069894noreply@blogger.com