give wheat ... get tax reciept

[ivbinconned]

Another idea...lets give away 1/3 of our wheat crop in exchange for a tax write off of $7.00 per bushel from our government.
All grains would be donated ONLY into markets or countries that desperatly need it but do not produce simular commodities themselves so that we do not distroy their markets.

The pride and selfrespect this would give Canadian producers as well as the admiration of much of the world would be huge.

[parsley]

Raija farms in Ethiopia. He grows and sells a traditional grain that he sells into the cities, along with the other farmers in his area. It is how Raija feeds his family.

On Jamuary 1, 20006, an enormous influx of grain comes in from Canada,and the shipments are handled by the Government. Most of the free grain is is given away, and then the rest of it is sold for cash in the Government's pockets, , into the distribution system, with a little nudging from the established government.

Canadaians should be well aware of how that works, by now.

Raija cannot compete with free grain. He loses his market.

Do you feel good, ivbinconned.

[ivbinconned]

Ya I do feel good...I can read all the words...sorry that you cannot.

But have another go at it!!

"All grains would be donated ONLY into markets or countries that desperatly need it but do not produce simular commodities themselves so that we do not distroy their markets. "

[parsley]

Who determines those "markets or countries that desperatly need it but do not produce simular commodities themselves"? Do you? If so, how?

Desperate countries are often run by desperate Governments, and are often corrupt; hence the desperate situation. Should those Governments make the judgement about what comes in? Often they have. And often the situation seems to worsen, because they use that gift to work against their own people.

I know that conventional wisdom dictates that we should ride in on a white horse and save poor countries, and I have no problem with doing so in the case of emergencies. Earthquakes, etc.

But ivbinconned, I need a little convincing about your premises:

1. That your 'good intention' actually benefits the people you are targetting
2. That your good intention is the best way to actually benefit them
3. That it is in our farmers best financial interest.


Not saying it won't work. Just questioning, ivbinconned.

Parsley

[ivbinconned]

Seems to me that you are focusing on the logistics or implimtation and delivery of our largess...NOT THE PREMISE!

But as to your reservations, I suggest we put YOU in charge, and of course any organization WE as PRODUCERS (not government)deem credable to help us discern with demonstrateable facts where we should help.

The example of your friends displacement although true is not unique, all we have to do is look around us to see that this can happen by forces with in a boundry...not only by outsiders!! Thats the evolution of technology and economy.

Over production of anything releases people to engage in other endevors...and that is not ALWAYS a bad thing. That is not to excuse the fact that it can be painfull in the process.

Lets discuss here the concept and not get hung up on the how.

Grain producers can not keep on doing things the way they are unless the government steps up and subsidizes the prarie producers to the same levels as all of Quebecs producers...and what are the chances of that happening??

As to our ability to police the despots of the world and stop the corruption and the upsetting of foreign markets as in your example...I suspect we have been guilty of doing alot of that already by selling to the board. For many years the boards main customers where communist regemes around the world...were we helping??

However, since it is our wheat, and we have established in another thread here, that if we where to give our wheat away it will not impact the price of bread...and our ability to retain ownership is very limited...why not explore this idea and see if it has merit. Especally if we can get a tax benifit that reflects the value and honorable profession we engage in.

[silverback]

Maybe we can burn it to produce electricity for the city or process it into cod food and dump it in the ocean - for a tax receipt of course. That is about all it is worth to me right now, sad.

[parsley]

My "Raija" is imaginery.

And I will say that my response to your post has been one of inquiry, ivbinconned, and not meant to be one of criticism.

Your intent, as one of kindness and benevolence, is noble. And your wheat is your property, and if you want to give it away, you must be able to do just that.

I guess I was "wondering out loud", if it actually "benefits the people you are targetting", and if it may do more harm than good. I think it stems from my preliminary glimpse at a book on food aid.

"Is kindness ever wrong?" is perhaps the angst, or the concept, I was muttering about.

PS I approve any tax write-off.


Parsley

[ivbinconned]

"Things are never as simple as they first appear. "

I think his last sentence pretty much sums up the reality that during a campaign politiians are not going to discuss the more complicated issues.

Joe six pack VOTES...and he would tune out!!

Reminds me of what P.J. O'Rourke said, "Politians are interested in people. Not that this is a virtue. Fleas are interested in dogs."

[JD4ME]

If a person donates a quarter to the food grains bank do they get a write off on the productive potential of the land? I can guarantee the seed companies and all that donate to the project are writing their contributions off. Just curious?

[TOM4CWB]

Parsley;

I believe there can be a time and place for this to work.

2002, in the summer and fall drought I can remember being down unloading rail cars of hay from Ontario!

This was a constructive donation to my neighbours with livestock... that was administrated with honesty and caring hearts! It did not destroy those who were growing forage in Alberta... cause we were so short in the first place.

Did Ontario growers get a tax reciept? I doubt it... but a tax credit should be the least the CDN gov. could have done!

It can be done... if the time and place are right!