“In the last 30 years we have lost 90% of our pork producers; in the last 30 years, we have lost 40% of our ranchers, we have lost 80% of our Dairymen because of big corporate abuse of power.”
—Mike Callicrate, Kansas rancher
Farmers Join In Solidarity with Occupy Wall Street Protest in New York City
For those who care deeply about inequality in America— about the undue influence of corporate predators (including big Ag) that subvert democracy, and render the will of the people silent—the Occupy Wall Street protest represents the de facto conscience of the nation.
One important element of this ongoing struggle for transforming our economic system is the recognition that there is an important role for government to play, and equally so, a requisite role for an actively engaged citizenry. As Calligrate mentions in the video, we must learn to see our role as citizens first, not as rapacious consumers, or we resign our future (and that of our children) to slavery.
Sustainability is equally about producing profit, but not at the expense of local communities, the environment, and of labor.
In this Occupy Wall Street video, Kansas rancher, Mike Callicrate articulates the current state of agriculture, and the fight to reverse large corporate dominance over our food system.
Thanks to Dave Murphy of Food Democracy Now for sharing this video. The Occupy Wall Street Farmers’ March event was co-produced by Food Democracy Now, and the Occupy Wall Street’s food justice committee.
See also:
Oligarchy, American Style by Paul Krugman
The One Percent (2006)
Predating the 2008 economic meltdown, and the more recent Occupy Wall Street movement, Jamie Johnson, heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, uses his unique financial status to gain access to some of the wealthiest individuals in America. To say the least, many of the one-percenter’s views on growing income disparity, and poverty are often beyond ludicrous. Brief appearances by Ralph Nader, Robert Reich, and congressmen John Lewis (along with some others) provide a welcome relief of sane analysis. Produced by Jamie Johnson and Nick Kurzon. See trailer below: