29-05-2004 14:02									#1
	What do you think of, when you think of farmers? Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

I've noticed Europeans, perhaps especially Brits, have a less-than-positive view of those who till the soil, while those in North America have a more positive impression. I've been wondering why.

If it's not too much trouble, post what you picked, why, and where you're from.

edit: "family" farms, not "industrial" farms.

Last edited by The Mad Monk on 29-05-2004 at 17:07

	29-05-2004 14:23									#2
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I am a European, who moved to the country, so I can actually see farmers, unlike the ~90% who live in cities. In my opinion, most of them are hardworking and moderately prosperous.

	29-05-2004 14:45									#3
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Thanks.

Here are some quotes taken in passing from a thread on another forum, so you know where I got the idea of a difference from:

"And loads of farmers. We all know how farmers are deeply racists in their little piggy hearts."

"Get orf moi laaand!"

"Farmers are the Gestapo of the countryside."

	29-05-2004 16:11									#4
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I spot a quote by me.

Farmers are evil. Trust me on this- I grew up in farming country.

	29-05-2004 16:12									#5
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Can a moderator add "Subsidy-sucking harbingers of envionmental armageddon"?

	29-05-2004 16:15									#6
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Where is the "normal people" option?

	29-05-2004 16:19									#7
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I think of food.



But how about "Hardworking and impoverished"?

	29-05-2004 16:25									#8
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quote: Originally posted by Lazarus and the Gimp Can a moderator add "Subsidy-sucking harbingers of envionmental armageddon"?

Actually, I figured that to be under "Protectionist SOBs".

	29-05-2004 16:27									#9
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Where is 'parasitic class that perpetuates myths about itself in order to maintain their subsidy-bloated existence'?

	29-05-2004 16:28									#10
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quote: Originally posted by Spiffor Where is the "normal people" option?

I would say either "Hardworking and Prosperous", or "Old MacDonald...", which is doubling as the banana option.

Although...I though you'd be in the "Protectionist SOB camp, for some reason...

	29-05-2004 16:29									#11
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quote: Originally posted by General Ludd I think of food. But how about "Hardworking and impoverished"?

"Poor but Honest".

	29-05-2004 16:29									#12
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quote: Originally posted by Sandman Where is 'parasitic class that perpetuates myths about itself in order to maintain their subsidy-bloated existence'?

See my comment to Laz.

	29-05-2004 16:31									#13
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Subsidized stupid bastards with too much money. Protectionist subsidized stupid bastards with too much money.

* Last Conformist hates the CAP.

	29-05-2004 16:45									#14
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I should also add that when I think of farmers, I don't think of industrial farmers. They are evil. Especially the cattle and poultry farmers.

	29-05-2004 16:49									#15
	Re: What do you think of, when you think of farmers? Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

quote: Originally posted by The Mad Monk I've noticed Europeans, perhaps especially Brits, have a less-than-positive view of those who till the soil, while those in North America have a more positive impression. I've been wondering why.

I would think the European concept of farmers to stem from the fact that in most of its history farmers were peasants. Thus leading to looking down on them.

Whereas in North America, farmers were pioneers who went out in the wilderness and not only farmed the land but also defended themselves against Native Americans, weather, and all other sort of diversity. Thus leading to a more respectful image of their ability to survive and adapt.


Personally, I have often wondered why Food Producers haven't formed a Food Cartel like OPEC has done with oil and used it to increase food prices.

OPEC - "We no like your political stance, we are therefore dropping oil production 80%!"

FoodCartel - "Fine, we embarge your sandy butts. No food for you."

OPEC - "WTF? Quick, we must learn to eat petroleum....."

	29-05-2004 16:52									#16
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And this is nonsense about americans and europeans having different views of farmers. It's an urban distinction, not a geographical one.

	29-05-2004 16:53									#17
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quote: Originally posted by General Ludd I should also add that when I think of farmers, I don't think of industrial farmers. They are evil. Especially the cattle and poultry farmers.

Exactly. The majority of western farmers are industrialists in wellies, not some noble bucolic friend of nature.

	29-05-2004 16:55									#18
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quote: Originally posted by GhengisFarb I would think the European concept of farmers to stem from the fact that in most of its history farmers were peasants. Thus leading to looking down on them.

Crap. They were, and are, the wealthy landowners in Britain.

	29-05-2004 16:55									#19
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That's true, by "farmers" I'm thinking of "family farmers" not "corporate farmers."

Corporate Farms make me feel uneasy.

	29-05-2004 16:57									#20
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No banana farmer option?

	29-05-2004 17:00									#21
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It stems from the fact that Americans think that, somehow, they feed the world, despite this being patent nonsense.

Additionally, the national culture in America (and France) puts a lot of emphasis on food; they probably think that they are doing the world a favour by dumping their 'superior' cuisine on developing countries.

	29-05-2004 17:00									#22
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quote: Originally posted by Lazarus and the Gimp Crap. They were, and are, the wealthy landowners in Britain.

Hmm, and here I thought the landowners were nobles who fought while the peasants were the ones who worked the land for them.

My bad, I hadn't realized the wealthy landowners worked in the mud while the peasants rode around in armor on horses and fought the battles.

Bit of misconception on my part then.

	29-05-2004 17:06									#23
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Inbread hicks is the closest I can find to "freeloading subsidy eaters who grow crap no one wants and then get paid to burn it"

And my opinion counts double since I'm a Euro

-Jam

	29-05-2004 17:06									#24
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quote: Originally posted by GhengisFarb That's true, by "farmers" I'm thinking of "family farmers" not "corporate farmers." Corporate Farms make me feel uneasy.

Let me restrict this to "family farmers"; I wasn't thinking of factory farms.

	29-05-2004 17:18									#25
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Family farmers, where I come from, are overprotected subsidized folks who use industrial methods. Subsistence farming died a long time ago.

	29-05-2004 17:28									#26
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quote: Originally posted by GhengisFarb OPEC - "WTF? Quick, we must learn to eat petroleum....."

Just go to the supermarket of your choice. I can assure you, 75% of the food you'll see is made of petroleum. Ok, ok, may be slightly exaggerated, but anyway the part is increasing. The question remains, what will we eat after we run out of oil?

	29-05-2004 18:11									#27
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quote: Originally posted by Last Conformist Subsidized stupid bastards with too much money. Protectionist subsidized stupid bastards with too much money. * Last Conformist hates the CAP.

	29-05-2004 18:12									#28
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quote: Originally posted by General Ludd I should also add that when I think of farmers, I don't think of industrial farmers. They are evil. Especially the cattle and poultry farmers.

Just like modern steel mills are evil. They put blacksmiths out of work.

	29-05-2004 18:16									#29
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Farmers: people who grow my food.

	29-05-2004 18:31									#30
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My family own a family farm. "Hard working and honest" I guess would be my choice, but just "normal" people would be a more suitable option.

They don't "dump" on foreign markets, they aren't "ecoterrorists", and they don't oppress their peasants...