Other recent articles under: Agriculture as of Sep 30, 2010
Topic: Agriculture
Patriotic Planting
During the titanic world wars of the previous century, Americans planted "victory gardens" to ensure a steady food supply; is it not time for modern Americans to plant "Liberty gardens" in these uncertain and unstable times? by Alexander Massa
(libertarian)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
"An army marches on it's stomach."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
It is well known that he who holds the reins of the food supply controls the nation. This is similarly true for other important resources, such as water, oil, lumber, et cetera. So, if this is true, then why do so many Americans rely on mega-corporations such as Monsanto, which is notorious for genetically engineering it's crops and creating bizarre (and probably unhealthy, to some extent) amalgamations of genes from several different species in plants (like fish genes being placed in certain crops), for their food? They don't have to. And while I am not entirely independent, I grow as much as I can - and eat it, too. It really isn't that hard to get a garden started, and the benefits that can be reaped from it far outweigh the costs and labor that gardening demands.
Many of you are probably wondering what an article about gardening is doing on a website dedicated to political commentary. Well, when you think about it, growing your own food isn't just gardening. Rather, it is a political statement in and of itself - an unspoken show of independence that is uniquely American, that you are an independent citizens and will rely on no one else. After all, we do know from history that dependence on anyone, particularly government, generally has negative consequences in the long run. The same is true for food; depending on others to grow your food makes you, by definition, completely reliant on someone else for your sustenance. Is that really what you want for yourself, your family, and your children - especially when it really isn't that hard at all to do at least some of it yourself in the backyard?
Not only is it good for you, it is also good for the nation. What if there is a natural disaster? A monstrous war that requires food rationing? Will you have enough for your family - for yourself, even? If everyone grew even a small portion of their own food, it would take a massive strain off of the standard food providers, and it would also make it easier to rebuild from any sort of disaster, as you do not have to wait for anyone to come and feed you; you already have that covered yourself. While many will blow me off and think that it "could never happen here", it has. During World War One, especially, there was rationing of food to make sure our troops overseas had enough, and the government encouraged the growth of "Victory Gardens" at home, to take the strain off of the food supply. Who is to say it won't happen again? And if so, then why not start now? There is no time like the present, they say.
So do it! Be a patriot and be a self-sustaining independent person and go out and get some nice high quality heirloom seeds (unless, of course, you like GMO food..but I for one wouldn't feed it to my children) and plant them this coming spring. You will be shocked to find out how good fruits and vegetables taste homegrown in comparison to store-bought produce, and you will be proud that you are independent; you can survive if the grocery stores run out. It simply is a good and common sense idea. I have already started my Liberty garden...the question is, have you?
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The views expressed
in this article are those of Alexander Massa only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
Alexander Massa is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
