Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Liz <liz@allslash.org>]

At 12:37 PM 5/21/2008, you wrote:
> It caught me that they kept saying that the food stamps aren't increasing
> with the price increases of food. Well the paychecks of the working class
> (and other classes but I'm less worried about them) aren't going up either -

I was thinking that too. My expenses have almost doubled, because gas 
accounts for most of it. It's likely that there will be a small 
increase in what I get paid per inspection, but it isn't going to 
come anywhere near the percentage of increase in cost. And I'll get 
that only if the prime contractor decides to share a bit more of what 
she gets paid. She's done that twice in the current contract, and 
there's no guarantee that she can afford to do it again.

> That's what scares me, that those who are
> just above the poverty line will fall below it and not have any help
> available for them.

What the article says about mothers giving their children whatever 
will fill them up, whether it's good for them or not, is truly scary. 
That's third-world thinking, the kind of thing that makes people eat 
mud cookies in Haiti.


> I'm glad I live in an area where I can grow my own food. 'Cause at least I
> have that. As it is I'm pretty sure we won't be able to afford oil next
> winter unless they adjust the income levels for fuel assistance, but to not
> be able to afford food as well, well that's a real kick in the face.

I've noticed that people are getting more creative in using coupons, 
but of course the problem with them is that they're usually good only 
for highly processed "food." I hear friends bragging about spending 
only $100 for $150 worth of food, but when I ask them what they 
bought, it's cereal and pasta dinners and packaged pizza.

Grow that garden. I try to bring that up with everyone I talk to, and 
more and more people are responding that yes, they're growing a 
garden this year too. Every little bit helps.

Liz in SW VA
http://life-as-a-spectator-sport.com