Why, when we live in one of the driest continents on the earth do we continue to endorse cotton farming?

Question

i.e. If you mention the word cotton in America you will get shot. The Americans understadably so, removed all of the cotton farmers because they could see what it was doing to their environment. The cotton farms in Australia are utilising far too much water! We already have in almost every state severe water restrictions and this government has allowed more cotton farms to be established. My concern is that when we run out of water to drink and to grow produce for us to eat, we can't eat cotton. And all the money that I understand is coming into the country through allowing cotton farmers to farm will not be much use to us. If we want a dust bowl for our children to inherit I believe we are doing everything in our power to make it happen. I have seen the benifits of you fiscal policy, I think you have improved australias economy and our social environment especially in the workplace. However I do believe we should re think our position on the cotton industry. In my opinion

Answer 1

I don't know where you get your information, but I live in the southern US and I guarantee you that we have not stopped growing cotton.

Answer 2

Obviously, you have not traveled in Mississippi, Alabama, or Arizona.  For there are a great many cotton fields in those states in America.  Cotton, if managed correctly does not need an excessive amount of water.  Farming cotton is usually done in areas where the soil does not have a fair amount of nitrogen in it, thus it is difficult to grow anything green.  

And oh yes, I don't think you Aussies have to worry about a "dust bowl" heading your way soon.

Answer 3

Perhaps you know what you're talking about concerning Australia, but here in the US we grow cotton.

Answer 4

The last time I was down south there was cotton everywhere, where would we be without it besides naked, or would you rather wear a plastic bag? Water is everywhere, even if it doesn't rain enough we have the technology to pull it from the ground and from the sea if need be. Yeah cotton!

Answer 5

I knew a texan online that was a cotton-grower .. mind you he was also an ar$ehole ... But i don't think the two are related.

Answer 6

Are you retarded?  America and Egypt still farm massive ammounts of cotton.  Check the stats.  And what would you do go naked?