Boltfish, I would not go into nationality bashing. That is uncouth and unnecessary. In one nation there are a set of many moral standards, some of those standards might not be the prevailing standard for the majority. However, The United States Constitution was written to allow everyone in this country (that would be the US, not England) to be able to have their own set of Morals, and be able to speak without those of opposing viewpoints being able to silence them.
The United States has been settled and is populated by representatives of almost every tribe and country on this planet. Many people in the United States of America still practice their traditions. By making broad statements that "All Americans You are in fact stating "The World because almost all viewpoints are expressed in this nation.
It would be foolish of me to make a statement about "All England" based on my dialog with you. I happen to know better. I have been to England, I am aware of its socialist structure. I have talked to many people. I have even gotten into debates about why our illustrious President is condoning the use of the Alaska Wildlife preserve to drill for oil. (Lets not open up that can of worms, its WAY off topic) I find constructive dialog with people of different viewpoints to be enlightening and helps improve me as a person.
The viewpoints that have been expressed by you and others are honest and heartfelt. However, those are not the only viewpoints.
I believe if you would look at the world Census, The overall population growth of almost all the rich nations of the world is in a Decline. This does not include India which is still growing.
I have mentioned before that I help keep population of pests out of fields. Despite what you say it _HAS_ to be done. I am aware of one farmer in Christmas valley that grows Alfalfa; he has lost entire fields to the rabbits that come in from the sagebrush. The Rabbits Flourish on the rich Alfalfa and then in the winter many of them die of starvation because the ecosystem cannot support the population. Those that do not starve, and are not good at hiding get picked off by the local bobcats and coyotes. With ample food sources the Coyotes themselves breed out of control and threaten the local deer population.
By themselves, Greenbush, Rabbits, Coyotes, and bobcats will keep themselves in check. But Humans have to come along and plant something that is super nutritious and it throws the ecosystem out of whack. When that happens it is not only us that have to protect the fields by keeping various varmint species out, but we also must keep the predator population in check to protect the other fauna.
Whatever we do, as humans, we must watch the balance of the land around us. Planting and hunting are both things that MUST be done; whatever we do, we will impact our environment.
Let just say, for example that we all switched over to eating Veggies, We would need many more farms, and Farms take land, land that is currently being used by various wild animals. What would become of those animals whose land we take to feed ourselves?
According to your profile you are in England. England has had humans in the environment for a very long time. The species that could not deal with it are no more, it is relatively safe there. I am not aware of any Apex predators that exist in England besides humans. The environment has been "gentrified" for over a thousand years. That is not the case with the American Continent. Those that do not live in Cities must be more callus, they have a different set of morals or values to survive. The values that you possess suit you and your environment, and are not going to work everywhere.
Also, Statistics are not very good to use. As its easy to make them say whatever you would like them to say.
