(no subject)

[mik3cap]

In Louisiana alone, it takes 32,500,000 gallons of gasoline to produce corn on 500,000 acres.

That's the equivalent of driving 38,461 SUVs or 28,837 pickup trucks all year. Just for the corn in Louisiana.

For all the corn in the U.S... it's 5,330,768 SUVs or 3,996,893 pickup trucks.

(assuming 0.5 gallons of gasoline to produce a bushel, and 130 bushels per acre in 2003, 9 mpg for pickup trucks, and 12 mpg for SUVs)

[Note that the lower number of pickup trucks is *bad* because it means that pickup trucks use more gas than SUVs!]

Comments

[mslaja.livejournal.com]

i only have two points to contribute, after reading all these messages:

1) i don't like corn, but it has nothing to do with this stuff.

i hate corn kernels because you can't digest them and you have to see them again later, in tact, and in your toilet.

2) it is absolutely not true that it is cheaper for a low income family to dine out at fast food than to prepare food with fresh ingredients. to suggest such a thing makes no sense to me.

that is all. :)

Why eating out might be cheaper

[da-popa.livejournal.com]

In some cases, it might actually be cheaper to eat out for a poorer family:

1. Can they afford to buy (or rent from a place that furnishes) a decent stove, cooking utensils, proper refrigeration, etc.?
2. Can they afford the extra time it takes to prepare food rather than buying it, or are they too busy working longer hours, walking home from work (instead of driving), or taking care of the kids (perhaps even instead of working) because they can't afford daycare?
3. Can they easily access well-priced and fresh food?

You are correct that, in the long run, buying fresh food and the necessary appliances to handle it would probably be cheaper. However, many truly poor people can not afford the upfront costs to get these things. This is why you have people living in crappy $200/week hotel rooms (with no stove etc.,) rather than cheaper $600/month apartments; to get that apartment, one might have to provide a security deposit, 1st & last month's rent, and finder's fee, the result of which may cost as much as $2,400 all at once!

While I did have some problems with the book, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0805063897/102-3005770-7969734?v=glance), did a good job of pointing out some of these expenses that most of us take for granted.

Re: Why eating out might be cheaper

[mslaja.livejournal.com]

i don't take things for granted.

i don't care what rich armchair liberals say in their books. i am talking about families. there's tons of variables when you talk about what "poor people do" or whatever people are trying to say. we have food stamps, food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens. i'm not saying in any way that these services are an exhaustive list or a solution to any problem whatsoever, but they exist and are there to be utilized.

also, you really don't need much more to cook than maybe two pans and a couple spoons. you can purchase those items at any number of thiftstores or even $1 stores downtown.

now, walk through a downtown area or housing project. ethnic markets or small groceries, all over the neighborhood. very affordable. :)

now, add that to any family's standard beans and rice recipes.... and we've got dinner.

i am not talking about life skills in any way. bringing various life skills to disempowered and low-income folks is a whole other issue entirely that has nothing to do with corn. :)

i'm also not addressing housing problems, section 8 waiting lists, or landlords that try to take peoples money.

these are social/human service issues.. ;-)

in any case, i'll just agree to disagree.
leah