I just read through this thread from beginning to end, and I see valid points from both sides of the discussion. On the OP's side, there are a great many places where choice between natural, and adulterated meat is not an option. Where there is a choice, those who rely on "enhanced" meat can purchase it, while those who really enjoy the cooking process can purchace the natural product.
Injected meat, as GB stated, has it's place on the store shelves. But like Laury stated, it shouldn't be the only choice.
I bemoan the fact that in our society, money is the all important motivator. In that famous book that I like to read, it never stated that money is the root of all evil. It does state that "The love of money is the root of all evil." IMHO, there are too many people who put their love of money above the love of their neighbor. This leads to unscrupulous practices, whether it be injecting meat with lots of water, or shoddy workmanship by a manufacturer of their widget.
If I purchase products at Walmart, for instance, I know that I am purchasing products designed to make the owners of Walmart very wealthy, often by forcing manufactures to lower their standards so that Walmart can offer a more attractive price. Unfortunately, most people in our nation are struggling to make ends meat, and will gladly pay less for an inferior product. This is why I never purchase meat there. I only buy it at one locale superette, or from a butcher who's shop is 20+ miles away. Hot dogs, on the other hand, I buy at the cheaper price.
Unlike high quality brands of, say, outdoor boots, Walmart can't force Koegles to change their product to meet Walmart criteria. But they do force others to do so.
Ultimately, as GB stated, we decide which products are sold or not on store shelves. Unfortunately, most people don't have the disposable income to allow choice. Of course, it we could get rid of cable tv bills, and cell phone bills, and other costs for luxury items that we seem to think are essential, we might have enough income to raise our standards of living.
If I can get wild game, or I can catch my own fish, or eat fresh veggies from my garden, a garden that uses only manure and compost as fertilizer, that is far preferable to anything food I can get in a store. unfortunately, though I am a well above average shot, I am a well below average hunter. I'm not good at spotting game, and rarely have time to get into the woods, or on a good fishing stream. And my gardens are hit and miss. Some years, I get more produce than I know what to do with. Other years, I only get a meal or two's worth of veggies.
Will I buy injected meat, probably. Do i prefer excellent, natural meat, definitely. I am pragmatic though, and realize that we have created a society of haves, and have nots, with fewer people in between. I make a decent wage, and am still struggling due to family health issues, the high cost of food, not pay raise of any kind now for seven years, no better job prospects where I live, etc. But ultimately, my choices have given me four outstanding adult kids, a wife I love, and a sturdy home. I have better water from my well than most people in the world. I have support from my neighbors, family, and members of the church I go to. And I have the respect of many.
I choose to live in a place where there is not as much choice in the supermarkets. It gave me a safer place to raise those four rugrats, who became wonderful parents in their own right.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that we need to look carefully at where we are, as individuals, as family members, and as a society. We need to take responsibility for our state of well being. We have the right to choose. But we have to think about the ramifications of our choices.
I can't directly control the choices of others, though I may be able to influence those choices in some way. I can't make the major pork industry change the way they do things. I can make a choice to seek out premium pork producers near where I live. I know they are around. I haven't made the choice to save the money to purchase a whole, or half pig, or a half cow, even though I know the quality is far superior than I can get in any supermarket, and will cost significantly less in the far run. But coming up with the initial cash outlay is a problem for me, and for most people. If I set aside a little cash every payday, until I had sufficient funds, I would be doing myself a favor. Unfortunately, every time I start doing that, something unexpected comes up that requires that savings to be spent. That's just life.
We must understand that our personal choices determine our quality of life. If TV is so important to us that we are willing to pay $100+ per month to have it, then we must understand that there is something else we must forgo to enjoy those TV programs. That's just the way it is. We can't, and shouldn't have everything. Learning to make good choices is part of why we live in this world.
Seeeeeeya; Chief Longwind of the North
