Posted on 05/14/2011 4:53:50 AM PDT by xp38
Coffee is one of our guilty pleasures, and not only because of the calories that can be packed into a double latte. Many of us feel guilty that our pleasure is coming at the expense of the Third World coffee farmer, so much so that we gladly pay more for "fair-trade" coffee, which certifies that farmers receive more revenue for their crop.
Today, on World Fair Trade Day, we have something else to feel guilty about. That fair-trade cup of coffee we savour may not only fail to ease the lot of poor farmers, it may actually help to impoverish them, according to a study out recently from Germany's University of Hohenheim.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalpost.com ...
Reality and liberalism are soon parted.
Fair Trade.
I give you money. You give me coffee. That’s a fair trade.
Invalid assumption. Reality and liberalism never meet.
None of this surprises me. Liberals don't understand capitalism and think that it is a zero sum game, that in order for someone to win, someone else must lose. They play the game that way and when they do business, somebody else gets cheated.
If the coffee growers weren’t making money, would they continue to do so?
Agreed! If I agree to pay you what you ask for your goods or services we have a fair deal. We don’t need a third party to arbitrate a mutual agreement.
You are correct, magslinger. I had a difficult time resisting turn a phrase. In truth, liberalism cannot meet reality as they are mutually exclusive.
Many of us feel guilty that our pleasure is coming at the expense of the Third World coffee farmer
Yeah right, the first thing that comes to my mind after my usual 6 cups of coffee in the morning is the impoverished third world farmer that grew my java.
See how the author is trying to make us feel guilty even though we did not do anything wrong? If it was not for this type of false guilt, liberalism would have no power.
Fair Trade is a crock.
“See how the author is trying to make us feel guilty...?”
You are right. Notice how the author throws guilt about keeping coffee growers poor AND consuming high calories in the fancy coffee drinks? Aren’t we horrible people? Making poor people even poorer and drinking a cup with cream? THE INJUSTICE OF OUR CRUELTY!!!
It ain't workin'
I revel in my 3 cups of hot black oily caffeine laden brew everyday. The aroma...the ebony sheen...the strong rich flavor as I sip...then drink it.
Guilt....hahahahahaaaa...my beans are guilt friggin' free!
I usually buy "Eight O'clock" brand whole bean coffee at Sam's Club. (I like to grind it fresh before each pot) I have a new bag, and have read the entire label, but there is no indication (that I can find) of whether it is free trade coffee or not.
The impoverished coffee-grower would be much more impoverished if we didn't buy their coffee.
It’s probably not. If it were Fair-Trade coffee, it would proclaim itself prominently on the muted green and brown label, right next to the 100% organically grown slogan. Oh, and it would probably cost 2-3 times as much! Enjoy your Eight O’Clock coffee-it’s wonderful.
The appearance of “Fair Trade” labels on Trader Joe’s coffee brands coincided with the removal of my favorite flavor “Yemeni Mocha.” I don’t care if its harvested by kids chained to a cart, I want it back.
“If the coffee growers weren’t making money, would they continue to do so?”’
sometimes, by the time of the harvest, the price falls to the point of losing money. But, that’s a risk the growers should know.
Poor old Juan Valdez. All these decades of selling the finest Columbian coffee beans and all he has to show for it is one little donkey.
I may have to start drinking tea in the mornings.
That is the risk of any business venture. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Thanks! I'm enjoying a cup right now, and somehow, the sip immediately after reading your post was a little better than the previous ones.
MMmmmmm... Free trade coffee. Now, all I need is a "Capitalism Is Boss" coffee mug to drink it out of!
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