I understand the concerns that the movie raised for you Arkansas. While they had some valid points to make, they were also incredibly one sided and agenda driven. There's 2 sides to everything, and they only presented us with one of them. They wanted to appeal to our emotions, and didn't want us to think critically about the info they presented, so I found that to be just a bit too manipulative for my taste. What they did not show you was how alot of the agricultural changes in the past 100 years have improved health and life expectancy for most of the world. The world grows/raises more food than any time in history, and they're doing on only a small fraction of the land that was used 200 years ago. While there are, unfortunately, still millions around the world who are starving, (and sadly, most of those stem form political issues) there would be many, many millions more without the technology and innovation of the past 40-50 years.
I, too, will take issue with your statement about the "leading thinkers" out there. Like CB said, they're no different than you & me. They aren't any smarter, and they DO have an agenda. While our modern diet does play some role in the diseases we face today, man's diet has always had an effect on our health, both good and bad. Childhood obesity & diabetes are related as much to our sedentary lifestyles as to our diet. Spices were once so valuable because they covered the taste of rotten foods.
By all means, raise as much of your own food as possible and do it in a manner you're comfortable with. But as far as total self suffiency, it's very unlikely. Look through your pantry & refrig, and take note of every item, and see how much of it you could actually produce.
As far as the Cop vs Electrician thing. I'm in construction, so I don't have an unbiased opinion. I'm self employed and wouldn't have it any other way, for better or worse. Only you can decide what's best for you and your family.
Personally, I don't like Unions any more than Gov't.
