25 Aug 09
Ok, on one hand we have people saying "buy american " is bad because it encourages protectionism.
On the other hand we have people saying "buy local" is good because it encourages protection of the environment.
These concepts cannot be BOTH correct. They are in direct opposition to one another.
So, which one of you can give me a good answer?
25 Aug 09
1 edit
Originally posted by uzlessI don't really have a position on it.
So you disagree with the concept of "buy local" then?
I can see getting a certain satisfaction from buying local -- It kind of goes back to an old-fashioned marketplace where you knew the names of all the people you bought stuff from -- instead of going to some big box superstore and buying from some faceless corporate behemoth.
But the old-fashioned marketplace doesn't really exist anymore. The local producer is probably just a corporate behemoth whose headquarters are near where you live.
25 Aug 09
Originally posted by MelanerpesIn Portland Or. we have many farmers markets were I have either visited the farms or had a friend do so, both for meat and veggies. I know we are not the norm compared to many cites, but it proves it can be done in states with enough water and decent soil.
I don't really have a position on it.
I can see getting a certain satisfaction from buying local -- It kind of goes back to an old-fashioned marketplace where you knew the names of all the people you bought stuff from -- instead of going to some big box superstore and buying from some faceless corporate behemoth.
But the old-fashioned marketplace do ...[text shortened]... cal producer is probably just a corporate behemoth whose headquarters are near where you live.
25 Aug 09
Originally posted by uzlessBuy what is cheaper and better let the free maket decide.
Ok, on one hand we have people saying "buy american " is bad because it encourages protectionism.
On the other hand we have people saying "buy local" is good because it encourages protection of the environment.
These concepts cannot be BOTH correct. They are in direct opposition to one another.
So, which one of you can give me a good answer?
25 Aug 09
Originally posted by StTitoBasic economics though tells us that restricting your purchases to only a certain area will lead to a recession. If EVERYONE only bought things from their local area, there would be goods and services that you would no longer be able to purchase.
Unless you want your city to be livable and prosperous.
In short, "buy local" is a protectionist measure.
How do we overcome this paradox?
25 Aug 09
Originally posted by whodeyNo, the free market does still work in the local level. I don't know about were you live, but the local meat and veggies grown in my area taste better and fairly competitive in price.
Ok then, I guess you have to buy over priced crappy merchandise to be able to live in a livable and prosperous city. My bad.
25 Aug 09
2 edits
Originally posted by StTitoIf EVERYONE in your area bought their meat and veggies locally, then the people that are currently supplying you with your meat and veggies from out of town would lose customers and would go out of business.
No, the free market does still work in the local level. I don't know about were you live, but the local meat and veggies grown in my area taste better and fairly competitive in price.
The only way to stop that from happening would be to convince the people that live in THEIR area to buy fruits and veggies from them. But then the people that are supplying those people would go out of business...etc etc etc.
It's a big spiral.
This wouldn't be a problem if every location was able to produce meat and veggies for their local population, but the reality is that on a global scale the land isn't suitable. So, in those areas, they produce other products and sell those to neighbouring cities/countries in order to get money to buy their meats and veggies from out of town.
BUT, if everyone is only buying local, then these places don't have anyone to selll to...they have no customers!!
So, again, what is the solution??
25 Aug 09
1 edit
Originally posted by StTitoI live in a country with extremely fertile and productive farmland, but most people simply buy packaged food at supermarkets. "Local food" is mostly a cultural phenomenon driven by people who are irrationally afraid of globalization.
In Portland Or. we have many farmers markets were I have either visited the farms or had a friend do so, both for meat and veggies. I know we are not the norm compared to many cites, but it proves it can be done in states with enough water and decent soil.