Should the United States use its food production as others do with their oil?

Question

Why doesn't the United States Government utilize its food supply as others do their oil. Look they want more money so they cut back on the production. Walla the price goes up. So why don't we play a little hard ball with them and cut back on delivery of grains to their over populated, underdeveloped countries until they agree to pump a little more crude, and ship it to "us".

Answer 1

It is a good idea but we both know that the real world of greed and profit and corporate bottom line isn't going to let it happen.  As it has always been, some get screwed and some do the s******g.

Answer 2

Great Idea, unfortunately all the liberals in government will cry about world hunger, and such...

We are an unfortunate victim of current environment. We cant do anything more by force....

We cant use our own natural resources like mining in Alaska, or producing natural fuel....

All because our country will tear at the seams by those who support, verses those who don't...

I say we start being completely self reliant, and hold back our support in military, food and money to help our own. Spend that money on development of technologies which will make us less reliant on oil.

Answer 3

the government sets price floors for many crops. This tend to lead to overproduction and an excess amount of food the government has to buy from the farmers.

The government has 2 options. Burn the excess crop or hand it out to other nations for "free".

Now if the government were to trade using the excess crop for oil, that would be bad economic policy. Any it would do more harm to our economy than good.

what needs to happen is the government has to eliminate the price floors for farmers. Then the government can legally buy up crops at the "going rate" and then use this in trade negotionations.

Answer 4

We are already doing what you suggest with the policy of using corn for ethanol. World grain prices are going up almost as fast as oil prices, and America has the grain.

The funny thing is that liberals who hate American prosperity and pretend to care about the environment and poor people have instituted the ethanol policy that is punishing poor people and making an American commodity worth more.

With the current floods, this years grain crop will be lower than expected, making what is harvested worth even more.

America will be in a position to decide who eats and who starves...

Answer 5

sounds like fairplay to me.

Answer 6

Great idea!!! We need to stand up for ourselves and gas prices are getting ridiculous!

Answer 7

Nice concept but it probably wouldn't work.  It would give even more reason for other countries to hate us and like another poster said, the other countries would find food somewhere else.  

For those who compare our gas prices to European countries, please keep in mind we don't have a mass  transit system.  Most of our towns don't have or have a lousy bus system, and most Americans do not live in the big cities.  In other words, we HAVE to drive.  Many of us are very poor and the higher gas prices are cutting into our food budget.

Answer 8

Another idea that makes too much sense to be done in the US.

Cant do it, 'cause the gove would have to seize control of food production.

Answer 9

You are aware that fuel prices in the US are about a third of what they are in many European countries right?

And do you really believe that the US can afford for other countries to seek cheaper markets to source their gains from?

That kind of childish, t*t for tat economic policy could only serve to hurt your economy. But then childish policies are the trademark of the US administration

Answer 10

How about bartering with some of these poorer countries that have poorly developed oil processing resources.

The US would get gauranteed oil in exchange for providing a stable food supply. Both parties win.

Answer 11

Yes. Let them drink their oil and eat sand in allah land.

Answer 12

We should not sell food to our enemies...

Answer 13

Trade in food is global, as is oil. If the US deliberately holds back the supply of food for export then other exporting countries will simply increase production to take up the slack and earn more for themselves. Therefore, not a clever idea.

Also, every country in OPEC except Kuwait and possibly Saudi Arabia is producing at full capacity already. You can't get blood from a stone...

Answer 14

sorry, it won't work. your change in food production will not significantly affect the market prices.

I guess you shouldn't really complain and try to switch to other sources of energy slowly. Until now your prices of oil are still ridicously low if compared with Europe. The thing is that you got used to low prices and don't respect the value of oil. Take a look at a size of your engines and their fuel consumption for instance or the usage of public transport, bikes etc between Europe and the US. The prices are high and will be even higher because there is a limited amount of oil in the world many countries like China demand even more of it as they develop (it "costs" them even more in terms that they earn less) and that's simply how free market works... the demand is higher so why should producers not demand more for their resources. When the price get higher than it affects the economy and other sources of energy are developed. That's how development is created - when it simply pays off to develop and switch to something more advanced.

The prices of oil will go up to even more than $200 and there will be time when it will be $5 - when it will be less expensive to use engines with other sources of fuel... lets hope the price goes up faster so we can watch it happens... ;)

In Germany on 3.June the prices of petroleum were:

Eur 1,5 per liter of 95oktan petrol (that makes $8,84 per US liquid gallon), diesel oil around the same price...

Answer 15

i like the concept.

maybe they can take some of that food that they ship elsewhere as surplus and end the hunger that exists within our own borders.