You started this post and have mentioned several times, or eluded to the fact, that most of this was the fault of the evil or cheap corporations making the engines or the companies profiteering from the production of our fuels. I guess we know where you stand and where you get your information from.
Fact, yes corn can be grown almost anywhere, it is a great crop, however.... This crop requires a large quantity of water, perhaps more than any other and as one member stated, fresh water is quickly becoming the commodity most needed in the world. Corn also requires a lot of nutrients, such as fertilizer, particularly nitrogen. Someone asked how long it takes, well, the farmers buy field corn seed that is usually 60 to 90 day corn, so again it grows quickly, given the proper circumstances.
The fertilizers have a petroleum component, making it more expensive to use, and high nitrogen content, the run off or excess from these find their way to the ground water or streams and cause O2 depletion, which in turn changes the ecosystem, killing or stunting the fish and increasing multiflora, algae, growth to unhealthy levels. Farmers get blamed and fined constantly when this happens, but it is necessary to produce enough product for what is needed. For decades the corn price was about $2.00 / bushel, when ethanol production came on board with all of its government subsidies, the price skyrocketed to $4.00. There was more water needed, more fertilizer needed and much more fuel burnt to till, plant, cultivate and harvest offsetting the gain in price to agribusiness.
The fact is, the engine, vehicle, and petroleum companies are producing a product for us, employing people that in turn provide housing, food, entertainment, etc. for families. Meanwhile, the politicians that you so adore that put roadblocks in the way of progress for all of us are the REAL profiteers. They are making more profit than anyone and they don't provide anything other than more regulation. That weasel down in Tennessee, I won't say his name, but he is still whining about his presidential campaign loss, has profited many millions from this hoax and he does not even live by the standards that he wants to impose on us. They are the bad guys.
Look, the engine and vehicle manufacturerers can invent, develop and change whatever we want, but it all comes at a cost, how much are you willing to spend? All cars after a certain year will be required to have a screen on the dash that helps us see behind the car while backing up, how much will I have to pay for this unwanted feature?
The elitists think they can legislate it for our needs, or tax the evil corporations, but you and I will pay for that tax, penalty or fine, whatever they want to calll it, with high costs.
And yes, I am on my soapbox, get over it!
Joe
