Communities vs. Apathy
When I am discussing my venture to other people, the more intelligent catch onto a potential conflict of interest with respect to our goals: we are creating a big business to help only small businesses. Of course, this is the black or white perspective, and our business definitely falls into the gray category. That is to say, that we are not just trying to help small businesses, but communities, which may contain local big businesses, such as Price Chopper or Stewarts (these may be considered medium sized depending on who you ask).
It also seems necessary that we become a big business, offer an IPO when applicable, employ hundreds if not thousands, and eventually become public (might be redundant with IPO, but I thought it would be appropriate to say it this way too). Even though these decisions are solely based on our success and what is necessary to keep helping communities.
Another question that was brought up by one of our advisors is: What happens if one of the businesses using AllForLocal's services outgrows AllForLocal? This was another very interesting question, and potentially another paradox. The answer to that question is simple now that we have analyzed it: We would leverage that business as an example for what AllForLocal can do for our constituents. It is these types of questions that force us to think outside of the box, and address unique issues.
So...we must become a big business to obtain the capital and reach that will allows us to help local businesses in all parts of America, and eventually the rest of the world. America is a great place to start because corporations currently own Main Street, and we (U.S.) are the worst off because of this greed. AllForLocal is needed as soon as possible to combat this greed, and give some market share back to small business America. I must ensure that I do not look silly by making outrageous statements, because again this issue is in the gray area. We are not trying to combat big businesses, but to help local businesses combat big businesses. Instead of calling this "small vs. big" we will call it "communities vs. apathy" because that is just what it is, communities facing off against the corporate monsters who don't care about who they steamroll out of town.
Anyway, I will stop with these bold statements for now. If you don't like anything I have said, feel free to comment and let me know why!
The Fat Tax
Nutrition, working out, and staying healthy are all very important to me. I find it necessary to consider my body my temple, because after all, we only get one body and one chance. I have been watching the food I put into my body since I stopped drinking soda and other crappy beverages about 8 years ago or so. The purpose of me saying all this is so I can lend some cool links to you about health and nutrition starting with, The 29 Healthiest Foods, assuming you care.
If you don't care, then I will contribute a sickening statistic that is increasing in America daily: 30.6% of Americans are obese. Fast food, high fructose corn syrup, entertainment have all lead to America being the fattest country by a pretty large margin. This is why I believe America needs a fat tax, increase the cost of all items that contain certain ingredients. Just imagine that as a solution to paying for health care. It would not be possible due to corporations in America, but it is a cool idea to dream about.
Anyway, I have nothing left to say for today. I could ramble on about obesity in America and the ties to corporations for several pages, but it is a matter of opinion and I would prefer to argue about it than just state my opinion. So please start an argument with me so I can have some fun!
Check back tomorrow with another scrumptious recipe because it is "Tasty Thursday!"
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Alessandro Gerbini said...
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have to convince me of the merits of this whole "fat tax." Give me some examples of how it would be implemented - like on what types of food, and how much it would raise their price.
You are suggesting sending a message to both suppliers and consumers to stop eating fatty foods, but isn't this an abuse of government power? Imagining for a moment that such a thing could get though Congress, why shouldn't you and I be left alone to make our own decisions? If the government raises a tariff on hostess products, I can imagine Boston harbor full of Twinkies.
October 7, 2009 7:38 PM
Joe said...
Good points. I will apologize in advance for a few tangents before I get to the point. Less than 100 years ago, over 30 percent of Americans were engaged in farming, whereas this number is less than 2 percent now (http://www.csrees.usda.gov/qlinks/extension.html). Technology, subsidies and other forms of improvement have caused this dramatic decrease of employment.
Now to my point. One major byproduct of these farms is corn. Americans eat corn everyday, whether or not they know it is in their food. The major component of many foods that are contributing to obesity in America is high fructose corn syrup. This product is being used to sweeten everything from fake cranberry juice to the bread we may eat everyday, and it is sickening. I believe that if we put a tax on this product first and foremost, on every level possible, it will discourage suppliers and consumers alike to not use high fructose corn syrup.
Frozen foods. Another big contribution to lazy and fat Americans. Americans are trying to get their meals fast (Check out the slow food movement! => http://www.slowfood.com/), cheap, and tasty (of course I make a mean tasty dish that is far more healthy than the alternatives). This is the formula for fat. Fast food falls into the same category. It would be pretty impossible for a fat tax to come into being though, because of corporations and the lobbying of Congress.
The benefits of creating a healthier America would lower the costs of health care, and create more jobs because instead of having farmers make millions of bushels of corn a year, they could produce other vegetables that are more sustainable. By growing the same type of food on the same land over and over again, this destroys the soil. Also, the irrigation system necessary to distribute water to the Midwest costs valuable fossil fuels. This is another tangent. I could state another million reasons why corn farming is not sustainable.
As for your second points, I do agree that it is a right to choose what we eat. But I think that Americans are ignorant and uneducated, at least when it comes to nutrition and what we put in our bodies. It would violate the first amendment to put taxes on these foods, but what about cigarettes? These are a luxury and congress has the right to tax them sufficiently. I am not versed on the reasons Congress has the right to tax cigarettes and alcohol, but I am sure it has to do with the negative health consequences of consuming these products. If we can find direct links to negative health from HFCS and fast foods, then I think Congress can get away with it.
The Twinkie Party would be a good time though!
October 8, 2009 8:13 AM