Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Prop 2: cruelty to Animals act

A recent episode of Oprah brought my attention to Prop 2. ( Yes I watch Oprah...don't judge) Ever since watching the episode I have become very passionate about learning more about this act. Even talking to Brandon at dinner tonight about it I almost started wheling up with tears (yes I am prego so that isn't hard to do). For those of you who are not familiar with the proposition it basically bands the use of animals living in small cages. While this sounds like a great idea, and at first, I myself was all for the act, the more I have thought about the outcome if it were to pass the more I am against it. For one, I feel like the people who are for Propostision 2 have put little to no thought into what this could do for the farmers who run these farms. It will literally put hundreds of them out of business because the costs of having to provide larger cages means either housing less animals or buying more land. Now don't get me wrong I am a true animal lover at heart and totally disagree with torturing animals but I get hung up when we start putting animals rights over humans. I just can't stop thinking of those farmers who have been in the farming business for years that would have to shut down their farms and put their families well being in jeopardy because of some law that was passed to allow a chicken to be able to spread its wings. Is that not crazy to anyone else? I just wish there was some happy medium to it all. I know there are farms who wrongly abuse their animals and probably should be shut down but I know their are also farms that don't and they shouldn't have to loose their livelihood. A law like this just isn't necessary in this day and age when people can make a choice to buy from free range farms or not. I for one buy organic milk because I don't trust the hormones and things in regular milk. I just feel like we have opportunities to make choices, so make those choices but leave peoples jobs out of it!

4 comments:

Rachel said...

I totally agree. And I knew nothing about prop 2 until Oprah too, so don't feel bad! :)

Klappyanne said...

I am against Prop 2 as well - our farmers have a hard enough time staying in business in the US. And although talking about how animals are treated is upsetting to all, I personally think human rights are more worth our time and effort. I would rather solve world hunger first...
And fyi - I'm blogging here too!! We can be blogging buddies!! klappyanne.blogspot.com

Sarah said...

First of all - you just blessed my little political heart friend! I have been saying forever that I don't care how people vote as long as they are informed! Nice work K!

As far as Prop 2, this is a hard one for me. I get and agree with almost everything you said but, here are a few things to think on (not to change your mind - just to play devils advocate). First is that they have given 6 years to phase the new plans in and the average life of an egg producing chicken is 2 years so they have time to make the changes slowly. Also I have not seen the Oprah although everyone here is talking about it also so I encourage you to go look at the other side of the argument because it sounded a bit one sided from here and I know she can make a good case! :) While it sis a hard one for me to sort through I do think there is something to be said for the fact that this is all the chickens know in their life so maybe it is not that bad but honestly - it just made me want to keep eating egg beaters! :(

Tricia said...

Well said. I, too, have a hard time with people putting animals before humans. There are so many abused and neglected kids in our country, but we very rarely see anyone on the street corner protesting. It just angers me so much. My foster dad is in the beef business. He raises his cattle and treats them well. Many of his friends are dairy men, and they also treat their animals well. It just happens that a few people don't and that's who gets the publicity. I, too, look towards grass fed - free range - organic products. Oh, & I watch Oprah, too. I don't always agree with what she says, but she does have some good shows.