Written by Todd McFarlane, published in Free Range Report
A few of Todd's observations regarding the proposed expansion of a Hog Farm in Millard County.
"Increasingly, vocal minorities try to make it sound like they represent a majority – or even if they do actually represent a majority — that fundamental rights are subject to the emotional whims of a tyrannical majority. But that is the thing about fundamental rights (versus other policy considerations): they are inalienable; they cannot be lawfully deprived without compelling justifications. And they are not subject to simple majority rule. It is precisely because the practical, working definition of democracy is two wolves and a lamb sitting down and voting on what’s for dinner, that we have constitutions, including declarations of fundamental rights, that are intended to recognize and protect such rights against even the tyrannical, so-called “will of the majority.”
A few of Todd's observations regarding the proposed expansion of a Hog Farm in Millard County.
"Increasingly, vocal minorities try to make it sound like they represent a majority – or even if they do actually represent a majority — that fundamental rights are subject to the emotional whims of a tyrannical majority. But that is the thing about fundamental rights (versus other policy considerations): they are inalienable; they cannot be lawfully deprived without compelling justifications. And they are not subject to simple majority rule. It is precisely because the practical, working definition of democracy is two wolves and a lamb sitting down and voting on what’s for dinner, that we have constitutions, including declarations of fundamental rights, that are intended to recognize and protect such rights against even the tyrannical, so-called “will of the majority.”
"It is this same, basic, fundamental lack of understanding, lack of recognition, and lack of respect for the fundamental property right interests of Western ranchers (acquired by prior appropriation and beneficial use) that cause people with urban mindsets in metropolitan areas like Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, Portland, and urban centers across the country, with a concentration along the East and West Coasts, to believe, among other things, that by simple “majority rule,” they should be able to deprive ranchers of their legitimate property interests in the split estates of federal grazing allotments, and instead allow valuable natural resources like forage and water to sit idle and be put to no beneficial, productive use."
"But that seems to be a hard lesson for people to learn. And perhaps it is all relative in a sense. At this point, although some rural communities (like, say, Delta, Millard County, Utah), might love to have a new Wal-mart, in more hoity-toity places like Sandy, Utah, they would protest that very same Wal-mart and claim it will completely destroy their neighborhoods and quality of life. In Park City, they will clamor about McDonalds. In Hawaii, they clamor about planting GMO crops. In California, (and even Sevier County, Utah) they will clamor against coal-fired power plants. In a place like Millard County, with multiple existing industrial agriculture operations already in the county, people from Deseret (remember, a small farming community of approximately 350 people), will even clamor about a hog operation 50+ miles away. And in Kanosh, Utah, people will clamor about the antithesis of industrial agriculture — a small, grass-fed, raw milk micro-dairy. The bottom line is, public clamor can’t be the measuring stick, because when it comes to proposed land-uses, people will clamor about anything."
Now, let’s consider some additional realities, including some of the reasons for these reactions. Increasingly, more and more people don’t want to have to deal with the realities of what it takes to produce and process food. Increasingly, more and more people don’t want to have to deal with the practical realities of producing and processing any of the basic necessities of life, including food, fiber, shelter, fuel, pharmaceuticals, etc. Increasingly, more and more people want all means of production and processing to be as far removed as possible – preferably in third world countries. But they still want all the benefits of cheap products, including food, without any of the inherent costs and associated burdens.
"But that seems to be a hard lesson for people to learn. And perhaps it is all relative in a sense. At this point, although some rural communities (like, say, Delta, Millard County, Utah), might love to have a new Wal-mart, in more hoity-toity places like Sandy, Utah, they would protest that very same Wal-mart and claim it will completely destroy their neighborhoods and quality of life. In Park City, they will clamor about McDonalds. In Hawaii, they clamor about planting GMO crops. In California, (and even Sevier County, Utah) they will clamor against coal-fired power plants. In a place like Millard County, with multiple existing industrial agriculture operations already in the county, people from Deseret (remember, a small farming community of approximately 350 people), will even clamor about a hog operation 50+ miles away. And in Kanosh, Utah, people will clamor about the antithesis of industrial agriculture — a small, grass-fed, raw milk micro-dairy. The bottom line is, public clamor can’t be the measuring stick, because when it comes to proposed land-uses, people will clamor about anything."
Now, let’s consider some additional realities, including some of the reasons for these reactions. Increasingly, more and more people don’t want to have to deal with the realities of what it takes to produce and process food. Increasingly, more and more people don’t want to have to deal with the practical realities of producing and processing any of the basic necessities of life, including food, fiber, shelter, fuel, pharmaceuticals, etc. Increasingly, more and more people want all means of production and processing to be as far removed as possible – preferably in third world countries. But they still want all the benefits of cheap products, including food, without any of the inherent costs and associated burdens.
At this point, it should be clear that this lack of recognition and respect for property rights is the fundamental common denominator and theme between all these locations and situations. Again, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. One of the primary conflicts between rural and urban American is a conflict between producers and consumers. A growing number of people are completely disconnected from the practical realities of food production and what it takes to produce food and feed this country and the world.
According to Trent Loos, at this point just 76,000 families produce 80% of the food produced in this country. At an average American family size of 2.5 per household, that’s just 193,000 people (or 0.0006% of the population) producing 80% of the food this country produces. Obviously, food producers are completely outnumbered. The only way this whole equation works is if their property rights – and corresponding ability to produce – are respected. Otherwise, on the slippery slope we find ourselves it seems inevitable that we will eventually experience the punch-line of an old Chinese proverb that goes something like this: “Lots of Food, Lots of Problems; No Food, One Problem.” In the meantime, in a place like Millard County, there should be plenty of room for both kinds of production.
Regardless of production methods, it’s way past time to start recognizing and respecting fundamental property rights.
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