Senate Joint Resolution 8212 was approved yesterday by Washington state voters, allowing private companies to hire inmate labor. These arrangements were banned in 2004 by the Washington Supreme Court, which ruled they violated the state constitution, and so SJR 8212 amends the constitution. Privatizing prison labor goes along with privatizing everything else, and part of the big push by corporations. FOR PROFIT. Iraq and New Orleans are being rebuilt by private companies for profit, and mercenaries are fighting the war, for profit. What next? Ethical and moral questions aside, do we really want the dollar sign to be the ultimate criteria for social decisions? Suggested reading: Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine." And any Charles Dickens. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/books/review/Stiglitz-t.html?ref=review
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And The Omnivore's Dilemma, I want everyone to read that. I had never made the connection before that farm subsidies do not really support the farmers - they support the very small number of very huge companies that buy the produce at very low prices, often less than it costs the farmers to produce the crops. Especially corn. You have to read this book.
I agree, Patti. Family farmers have virtually been squeezed off the land by massive Agribusiness. I'll have to dig up that book when I get a chance.
http://www.farmaid.org
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