The fall of capitalism: Quarter of US children went hungry last year

[imokyrok]

Capitalism isn't a "thing" that comes into your house and gives you money. It requires human action and human co-operation to produce goods for exchange.

As a matter of interest - what price would make a carrot "affordable"? What price is "affordable" for a potatoe? What price is "affordable" for a tin of beans/peas?

At the moment on tesco.ie:

- Carrots 500g Pack Class 1 - €0.89
- Sweet Potatoes 1 Kg - €1.89
- Loose Irish Chicken Breast Fillets - €1.19
- Heinz Baked Bean In Tomato Sauce - €0.49

In order for people to be able to afford this OUTRAGEOUS price of €4.46 Capitalism doesn't break into your home and throw money at you so this price becomes affordable - people have to exchange goods or services in order to be able to attain these goods.

Do you honestly think the prices are too high or people aren't earning enough? The latter is obviously the case.

I'm not quite sure what point you are making here.

[BlackWatch]

The Potatoes and carrots contain 1060calories,I can't find the amount in the chicken or baked beans.

[Hazlitt]

The Potatoes and carrots contain 1060calories

So?

[Ifor Bach]

I'm not quite sure what point you are making here.

That in all Western nations everyone can eat.

[imokyrok]

That in all Western nations everyone can eat.

So 63% of US teachers must have nothing better to do with their personal income.

[imokyrok]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/us/17hunger.html?_r=1

Hunger in U.S. at a 14-Year High


By JASON DePARLE
Published: November 16, 2009

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans who lived in households that lacked consistent access to adequate food soared last year, to 49 million, the highest since the government began tracking what it calls “food insecurity” 14 years ago, the Department of Agriculture reported Monday.

The increase, of 13 million Americans, was much larger than even the most pessimistic observers of hunger trends had expected and cast an alarming light on the daily hardships caused by the recession’s punishing effect on jobs and wages.

About a third of these struggling households had what the researchers called “very low food security,” meaning lack of money forced members to skip meals, cut portions or otherwise forgo food at some point in the year.

The other two-thirds typically had enough to eat, but only by eating cheaper or less varied foods, relying on government aid like food stamps, or visiting food pantries and soup kitchens.

Recent reports by the St. Vincent de Paul etc would suggest it's not exactly unheard of here either although the divide between the haves and the havenots is not as stark here as in the US.

[Ifor Bach]

If people in, for example, America, aren't getting enough to eat, then it is because of their own personal inadequacies, rather than 'capitalism'.

And btw if some Americans are skipping meals, it's probably beneficial to their health.

When I start seeing pictures of emaciated rather than obese Americans, then I'll start to believe in this starvation nonsense.

[eyeswideopen]

If people in, for example, America, aren't getting enough to eat, then it is because of their own personal inadequacies, rather than 'capitalism'.

And btw if some Americans are skipping meals, it's probably beneficial to their health.

When I start seeing pictures of emaciated rather than obese Americans, then I'll start to believe in this starvation nonsense.

I hear the sound of shifting goal posts. The thread is about hunger, not starvation.

[Ifor Bach]

All the evidence suggests that Americans have a problem with overeating rather than hunger:

[johnfás-inabstentia]

All the evidence suggests that Americans have a problem with overeating rather than hunger:

You make the assumption that obesity is per se based on overeating of course. Obesity has as much to do with what you eat as it does how much you eat.