This Thanksgiving Season we hear a lot about being thankful, but do we really realize what it is we have to be thankful for? As many of you know my parents were missionaries to the Caribbean. Growing up there was the best thing that ever happened to me. Wonderful people and experiences. It is also a totally different culture and way of life. It is an island of course so everything not grown has to be ship/flown in. Lots of imports mean lots of taxes and tariffs, which in turn means high prices on the shelf.
When we were there in 2005 a gallon of milk cost $18. EC. (1 US dollar = 2.6850 EC All the following prices will be in EC.) The processed cheese we used to buy came in a 5lb tin for $21. Special K cereal was $15 a box. Gas was $11.50 a gallon.
Recently my Father went back down for a visit and he told us that the government down there put a 25% tax on all imports. Milk is now $24 a gallon. For a 1lb of tin cheese like we used to get is now $71.
To give you a better idea; twenty dollars U.S. put four gallons of gas in the truck. Gas is now $13.50 per gallon.
So next time you fill up for $2.80 don't complain; there are actually people in the world worse off than we rich spoiled Americans. Thank God for living in a great country next time you buy a jug of milk or package of cheese. Some people just do without.
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
-- Epictetus
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