Fuel Vs Food: Ethanol Helps Boost The Price Of Meat

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/22/132082743/if-your-meat-prices-rise-you-can-blame-ethanol

The U.S. corn crop is enormous. But about a third of it doesn't go to cereal or cows — instead, it helps run your car. To boost our use of renewable fuels, the federal government subsidizes corn-based ethanol.

This has the meat and dairy industries up in arms over the high cost of their main feed. The rise of ethanol has pitted livestock producers against the oil industry.

**Opinion**

Isn't the farming industry hurting enough!?! Again, as usual, we the consumers also bare the brunt of this with the increase of meat prices. Here lies a major problem, that IMHO isn't discussed enough. Inflation regarding cost of living is constantly rising while pay and salaries often times remain idle or even drop. Past generations did not endure this and due to such were more easier able to acquire 'The American Dream'. Also, they were able to bank more money without as much effort compared with society today. This in part, is why we have the term, 'old money'. It's also the idea that poor people spend money when they get it because they many times don't have much; while rich people have things already when they get money, therefore, it's easier for them to hold onto money rather than spend it. People of resources and influence know this and bank on it sadly. Another problem for the baby boomers generation is their infatuation with materialism. I must admit at times, myself is included as being labeled as materialistic. However, at least I realize it and have taken steps to move away from such (for the most part). Now, I don't believe that the people are all to blame. We have the media constantly pushing with advertising and marketing of products (including my blog, lol). Peer pressure to 'keep up with the Jones's' has implemented itself into society and also plays a major role, I believe. I like to think that things happen for a reason. At times, this leads me to think upon what are the reasons behind the recession and why. I'm sure that there are many. One of them that I ponder on is, is the recession partly in occurrence due to the generations spending habits. Is the recession trying to teach people the value of a dollar? Or, is the recession just meant to further separate the disparities among people socially and economically? According to an article from www.reuters.com, the world's rich got richer amid '09 recession @ http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65L36T20100622 (this, I'm sure can considered to be debatable).