Do we need it, or do we just want it?
There are a lot of debates that afflict humanity. Unfortunately, the debate over whether we need meat in our diet or not is one that could have a lot of different pitfalls. Seriously, those who want to eat meat and those who think it’s barbaric tend to have a go at each other without fail. Whenever the chance presents itself, carnivores (actually, omnivores) and vegetarians, and vegans tend to keep this debate going simply because a lot of people can’t and don’t want to understand the lifestyle that revolves around eating the flesh of another living creature. It’s an interesting debate, in a Jerry Springer sort of way.
Some have claimed that farming and agriculture are responsible for a good part of the environmental issues that are easy to notice these days. In fact, a lot of problems are laid at the feet of meat-eaters. But the current idea of creating and enforcing a red meat tax is something that one can’t help but think of as, well, a little childish in terms of a reaction to a global issue. In a lot of ways, it feels as though activists and those who are concerned about this issue are looking for a scapegoat that can shoulder the burden or blame. Unfortunately, the over-generalization of one group or another is a common trend these days.
Do we need meat in our diet though? There are so many other foods out there that provide a wide variety of nutrients that the human body needs. It’s fair to state that it’s a preference over actual need that drives people to keep farming and raising livestock for the benefits that they bring to the general public. Eating meat is something that’s both natural and cultural. From one generation to another, we’ve learned to raise and butcher animals, and when possible, to hunt and devour other mammals. Some say it’s cruel, and some say it’s unnecessary, but that debate doesn’t show any sign of waning.
In an evolutionary sense, yes, we are designed to eat meat
There are a lot of mind-numbing facts, charts, and historical views on why people eat meat and why it was necessary way back in the day. The fact is that people have been eating meat for so long that it’s become part of who we are, no matter what vegans and vegetarians want to claim. Early humans saw something roaming the fields and decided to kill it and eat it. Eventually, they found that cooking made the meat taste even better, and from there, well, the ball started to roll. Somehow though, there were plenty of individuals throughout history that believed that eating meat was cruel and unnecessary.
There are still a lot of people that think this same thing. There are also people who think that eating meat is as natural as the sunrise. After all, predators eat meat, and humans have been among the most prolific predators in the world since realizing that we can kill things.
There’s a huge debate over what would happen if people stopped eating meat
A lot of people are thinking that the world would be a better place if humans stopped eating meat and embraced other options. Others are of the mind that, well, the practice of eating meat doesn’t need to change since, without it, livestock and other animals would still need to be put down or controlled in terms of population. Like it or not, other animals are here to procreate and continue their lineage as well. Somehow this is rarely if ever, brought up when it comes to eating meat. Populations are checked by nature in one way or another. But seriously, ceasing the consumption of meat isn’t the way to go simply because sometimes it’s crueler to let populations grow or to govern them in a very controversial manner.
Is there such a thing as environmental fascism? Oh, right, it’s called ecofascism. But then, a lot of activists don’t like to focus on this either.
How much control should the government have over the dietary habits of its people?
In an ideal world, meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans would be able to engage in their own chosen lifestyles and any complications could be easily solved. Unfortunately, the differences that exist between those who eat meat and those who don’t create a very big gap between the said individuals quite often. A meat tax, or a red meat tax more accurately, might sound like a great idea to those who think that eating meat is not necessary. To others who eat meat though, it sounds like another way to let the government dictate what they can and can’t do.
The decision to place a tax on red meat feels like another way to force an agenda. The rhetoric that’s being used to say nay to this idea feels like a way to sugarcoat the agenda. But at the end of the day, it feels like opinions that have been allowed to grow like mold in a refrigerator.
Once the media gets hold of facts and fiction, it’s a matter of popular opinion
The ideas of deforestation, global warming, and anything else that people want to tack on as negative drawbacks of eating meat were snatched up by the media without fail years ago. This is one of the things that the media excels at in a big way; if there’s hype and fear to be instilled within the general public, the media will handle it. Unfortunately, the issues that the media and many others are harping on are, well, still issues.
But what they won’t tell you, usually, is that the issues aren’t nearly as big as many are claiming. Those who are in the minority when it comes to telling the truth might be easy to smear and supposedly discredit, but they’re generally worth listening to for a minute or two. And hey, when it comes to deforestation, it’s fair to state that acres of soybeans and other crops are just as responsible for deforestation. But again, we don’t always get the skinny on things that ‘environmentally-minded’ people don’t want to admit.
At the end of the day, we do still need meat
Like it or not, humans still need meat for a part of their diet. Even those who want others to believe that there are healthier alternatives aren’t always willing to take into account the idea that dietary needs are different from person to person.
At this point, simply allowing people to live whatever lifestyle they choose, without penalizing them for it, would be great. But, being human apparently means squabbling over issues that have a definite solution. In other words, let people live the way they want, within reason of course.
WTR? (Why’s That Radass?)
If you eat meat, fine, if you don’t, fine. But laying a tax on one type of food simply because it’s deemed as an issue is a slippery slope. Getting people to understand this is, unfortunately, a little more difficult than it sounds.
