Monsanto, now a subsidiary of Bayer (yes, the same ones who provide your Aspirin), is an agricultural juggernaut. Profits in the last year before being acquired by Bayer (2018), were over $2.2 Billion. They are most notoriously known for their pesticide, Roundup, along with the very concept and invention of “Terminator Seeds”, GMO seeds for such staples as corn and wheat, which only produce one harvest before dying. Those seeds and that pesticide have been and continue to be a threat to public health, to biodiversity, and to the sacred practice of horticulture. The pesticides cause cancer and other diseases, while the terminator seeds threaten to replace organic ones, thus disrupting the natural order of reproduction, while, making farmers totally dependent on companies like Monsanto for their livelihood, while also threatening public health, as those GMO seeds are known to not only be less healthy, but actually harmful to our very DNA.
And does our government protect us from this diabolical entity? Of course not! On the contrary, this Govt has supported Monsanto to the tune of almost $900 million of US taxpayer money in the form of “subsidies” since 2010 alone. And Monsanto continues to contribute millions of dollars a year to both political parties through its lobbying efforts. While each of these sides engage in quid pro quo, at the expense of our money, our health, our freedom, and our Mother Earth, most US citizens have never even heard of Monsanto and their diabolical products. They do not realize the conflict between us and them. Nor do they recognize how the commercial and political interests of companies like Monsanto contribute to foreign wars and economic oppression in places like Mexico, for example, where the people have rejected Terminator Seeds for corn especially, and have been threatened with violence by US officials consequently.
So, what should be our response? Firstly, becoming informed and spreading awareness through research and dialogue. Secondly, engaging in grassroots efforts. Third,
Individual and community engagement in the political theater (engaging in city council and county meetings, lobbying elected officials, initiating propositions, etc.). Fourth, leveraging economic pressure on such companies as Monsanto and Bayer, Johnson and Johnson, Chevron, JP Morgan Chase, and every other Transnational Corporations and burgeoning business whose practices, products and services, and philosophies are maligned with the best interests of the people. This should include boycotting certain products and companies, avoiding GMO foods and buying organic and halal foods whenever possible, and minimizing consumption overall. All these four fronts of resistance should be performed both individually and collectively, in a consistent and systematic manner, if it is to be effective. In the process, a movement is mobilized, organized, and orchestrated, which possesses the potential to pave the way for empowering the people.
Truth2Power!