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Dear Editor:
On CBS this morning, they reported on why the cost of beer or a mixed drink had risen to $13.50. Well, let's go to the wheat or barley farmer in Nebraska and find out what's going on. Did the price of barley go up? No, says the farmer, it is still 1 penny for the barley that goes into the beer. It must be the middle man or distributor. No, says he. We have not raised our prices.
Off to the cocktail bar, why is a mixed drink $13.50? Well, we have updated the interior which made it more inviting and acceptable. Also, the hired help is asking for higher wages, cost of living and other expenses. Totally understood! Now we know and understand not every bar or cocktail lounge, in this area, has raised their prices that high or not at all.
Back to the barley farmer. Could it help the bottom line, income, if he could double his income to two pennies in a can of beer? The combine he has with a grain head run between 1/4 and 1/2 million dollars. In our area in Wisconsin, it is very difficult to buy new, so we buy used or hire harvesting by someone else.
In our school district, 40% have incomes at or below poverty levels. Our priority is the price of groceries first, then the price of cocktails. Oh, I forgot, what about savings or retirement? Did somebody say the income level has never been better? Let me think about that. Okay, I'm done. Please enjoy that beer. The price could go up by another penny.
Cheers,
Marvel Nelson
Mineral Point, WI