New Direction

I reached the law of diminishing returns in writing about the housing market. We have started a double dip and the mortgage rates are going up. I am stepping back to at this country and the world in a more expansive way.

What catches my attention are the countries where the government has fallen or is in the process. There is much civil unrest in countries like Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Algeria and so on. I think a significant reason is the cost of food which is rising dramatically. With 7 billion people occupying this planet, and 9 billion forecasted by 2045, the feeding of everyone will continue to escalate as a priority. The countries that rely mostly on food imports are the ones to watch, specially the Middle East. Africa has more than 50% of the arable land in the world today. There lies the future of expanding world food production. It will be interesting to watch what unfolds there once action begins in that direction, perhaps with the United Nations taking the lead and setting the stage. With this view, alternative energies that use food like corn for fuel should be ended. Ideas using nonfood items should be encouraged. The time is now.