Seven Steps week 40…plus a little election info
I have tried to keep this blog focused on saving money and preparing for emergencies but today I feel I have to make a political statement because it will affect your family economics and health. If you live in California you will be asked to vote on proposition 2 next week. Have you heard anything about it?
Prop 2 would require ranchers to “free” their animals, uncage them. This spells disaster for consumers for several reasons. There are several issues to consider as you consider your vote.
1. As of this moment California has the strictest laws regarding ranching, animal cruelty and food safety. Laying hens are placed in cages and when they lay an egg it drops into a troth and is collected. If this law is enacted chickens will roam without a cage. When an egg is laid those collecting the eggs can easily miss one. As consumers will will not be guaranteed the eggs we purchase are fresh, as we will have no way of knowing how long an egg may have been sitting on the ground before it was collected. Those collecting the egg will likewise have no idea if it was a new egg or one they missed the day before.
2. Egg producers work on small margins and will not be able to finance the changes, especially now with the banks cutting back dramatically on loans. This will cause the producer to lose his farm or be forced to move out of state.
3. We will have to import eggs from other states. This will dramatically increase the cost.
4. It will force some to import cheaper eggs from Mexico. We all remember salmonella and with very lax sanitation laws in Mexico this is a great concern.
5. When laying hens are past their prime they are sold to food manufactures as an ingredient in soups and other foods. Manufacturers locate their plants near their food sources. If the egg industry moves out of state these manufacturers may follow, eliminating jobs. Jobs will also be lost as egg producers are forced to close their doors or relocate out of state.
6. Food prices will rise for those of you living outside of California as eggs become less plentiful because California is importing more.
7. Eggs are an ingredient in many foods. Manufacturers of cookies, pasta and other foods manufactured in California will be forced to raise their prices. If you live in Iowa and purchase cookies made in California. You will pay more.
The group promoting this proposition has found the most horrible conditions they could and sited those as examples of what is happening in the industry. They are just plain untrue. How do I know? Because for over 30 years our family was in the egg business. We are no longer but I can assure you this proposition is full of holes and very poorly written. It will be disastrous for California consumers. Please pass this information along to your friends and family and ask them to check it out for themselves. Then vote no on Proposition 2.
Now our Seven Steps:
1. This week we had a friend pass away. He was 40 and left three children. It reminded me how important it is to prepare for this inevitable step in our journey. Write a will. It can be very simple and done with a form found on line or you can go to an attorney. I suggest an attorney if you have dependent children or many assets. Be sure to specify who you wish to raise your children and why. At times a family member may not be the best choice and you will want to have your reasons in a legal document for a judge, just in case your family wants to contest the will.
2. Make funeral arrangements. Write down anything and everything that is important to you including where you want to be buried and anyone you want to participate in the services. Also make known your wishes for music and speakers if you have them.
3. Copy your will and funeral information and send it to your out of state contact and also the executor of your will. If you don’t want your contact to see the info seal it before sending it and sign the back so your signature overlaps the edge of the flap and the envelope itself. Then it can not be opened without it being obvious to everyone. If you can’t trust your contact with a sealed envelope you need to choice another contact.
4. Add a phone list to your auto kit and work place supplies. You may be surprised which numbers you don’t have programed into your phone. Be sure to include family, friends and medical providers.
5. Purchase or can 2 cans of fruit per person and add them to your food storage.
6. Make a Christmas gift. I have suggested several over the last few weeks. Make one this week.
Good luck…
Great post. I don’t live in California, but I am constantly amazed by the proposed legislation that would wreck havoc in the agricultural sector. The alleged “animal advocates” often do more harm than good.