Can we realistically stop a leaky dam with bubble gum?

I’m reminded of this scene in the National Lampoon’s Las Vegas Movie (Viva Las Vegas I think it’s called…). The usual group of suspects, including Chevy Chase and the brainless character Eddie, is visiting the Hoover Dam. They come across a water leak while touring the dam and one of them has the bright idea to try and stop the leak with bubble gum – they cover one leak and seconds later the water flows from another spot…they repeat the process many times only to find very similar results. Gravity can do amazing things…

I’m taken to this scene by Prop 2 in California and a post I read on someone else’s blog. In essence the proposition, which is to be voted on in less than three weeks, basically vows to stop the inhumane transportation and treatment of animals. By voting yes on prop 2 you are saying animals shouldn’t be cramped into small cages where they can’t spread their wings, move around, and so on. …And as a side note, and a vegetarian, I am completely for Prop 2…I think it’s great and long overdue.

So in my mind I never had any second guesses about how I am to vote on prop 2…you can’t go wrong by voting yes, right? Well maybe…

Last week I spoke with Cheryl Sternman Rule – a freelance writer in Silicon Valley and who’s blog I mention above. After our conversation I decided to check out her website and blog. Through perusing her website and blog (which has wonderful photography) I came across a specific blog about Prop 2. She made some very interesting points about prop 2…will the proposition’s outcome match the intent? If the prop is to pass it would place a great burden on the large industrial factory farms has they have to go about converting their pigeon hole cages to more humane living quarters (among other things). As always nothing is free and this process would cost the farms the invaluable dollar. Who is to see the impact of this change…none other than me and you – the American consumer. Most Americans, especially in tough economic times, will look to the cheapest buy they can get for their money, which in this case their eggs won’t be coming from California farms but farms in Mexico and China, which produce cheaper eggs from chickens most likely kept in inhumane and cruel conditions.

So on a prop that takes aim at improving our health and food safety we may, in essence, do neither…unless we set-up that proposed FDA Office in China (Great Idea!). You can’t win for losing, right? Well not necessarily…it goes back to the bubble gum/leaky dam analogy. You can’t truly fix the overarching system by going from leak to leak…we just create new leaks. You vote yes on prop 2 with environmental and health intentions but in someways we create larger issues with food security and an increase in food mileage. We, along with policy makers, elected officials, etc., must take a look at the larger system and create policies that are “leak” proof.

So, prop 2, what should the vote be? Yes.