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Originally Posted by sailaway21
Okay. Let me get this straight.
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I'm sure you addressed my point somewhere in there, but I don't see it.
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We're going to reduce fuel and energy consumption. We're going to do this by spending tax money on alternative energy sources.
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I never argued for this. I spoke solely of accepting lower fuel consumption targets. There may or may not be a sensible way for government to throw money at alternative energy - others can defend that if they wish.
Yes, and? We agree about the sad state of Indian farming.
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And any logistics specialist can tell you that transportation makes up maybe 5% of the cost of goods delivered.
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Yes, and? We're speaking of energy consumption, not money figures. BTW, transportation cost is hidden also in every other input from marketing to labour.
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And in a free market, there are not many countries that can produce grain for as little as we can including shipping. Oh yeah, we use those big energy consuming tools called tractors and combines; they do a thousand acres in the time it takes to do one in the lesser developed portions of the world and France.
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Sure, and? Combines don't do so well on Tibetan or Chilean hillsides. It is not news that every region has its own unique advantages - as the Great Plains or Australian outback do when it comes to some produce. There is another argument you might do well to consider regarding US interests: low transport costs encourage e.g. imports from China and relocation of US factories to remote corners of the world. It is efficient but I hear some voices bemoaning this dismantling of US industry?