We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Friday, August 31, 2012

International Food Prices Again at Record Levels, World Bank Warns

Click here to access article by Carey L. Biron from Inter Press Service. 

We are now beginning to see another ominous consequence of our carbon-fueled capitalist economy which is causing extreme weather throughout the planet--widespread food shortages and high prices. So far it appears that among the One Percent only World Bank officials are worried about this. These are quite sophisticated people who know that this development can manifest itself in food riots which, in turn, can threaten their capitalist regimes around the world with revolution.

 On another website devoted to informing their readers on how to make more money, there is a lengthy article trying to analyze the repercussions of the drought here in the US on prices and shortages. It seems oriented mostly to advising people on measures they can take to reduce the impact on their budgets. However, I suspect that part 2 of this report, which lies behind a paywall, likely advises the website's readers about how to profit from this impending disaster. Such is the outlook of capitalists among the ruling One Percent.
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