Detasseling Corn, a Peasant Revolt and the Return of the Light Bulb

“The first vehicle I learned to drive was an International Harvester tractor. The second was a bulldozer, which was a heck of a lot more fun. The third was my Dad's pickup truck. Later that year, I turned 11." Kevin O’Brien, The Plain Dealer Full Text

When my sons were kids, age nine and eleven as I recall, they worked one summer de-tasseling corn. The de-tasseling season ran three or four weeks. They worked a four hour shift and were paid around $10 an hour. It was hot and nasty work, but it made both of them “rich.”

This is work our US Department of labor will no longer allow children to perform on America’s farms. The agency has proposed child labor regulations that will severely limit what chores farm kids can do. Needless to say American farmers are alarmed and livid over the proposed rule. It would prohibit children under the age of sixteen from operating farm equipment, handling livestock, and even de-tasseling corn.

More than one hundred of Congress and the US Senate have objected to proposed regulations. They’ve asked that the agency withdraw the proposal claiming it will significantly harm agriculture and the nation’s food supply.

O’Brien reported: “a letter signed by 32 senators raises a host of practical objections rooted in the concept and operation of the family farm, including this one: “Until recently, farms jointly owned and operated by multiple family members had discretion over the responsibilities they gave their children on the farm. But the proposed rule change would do away with that freedom. . . . It is common in rural America for siblings to jointly own and operate farms and for extended family and neighbors to participate in agriculture production. With this rule change, the government is proposing to tell farmers and ranchers: We know what's best for your children, and what they should and should not be doing."”

I am counting on this as the beginning of a peasant revolt.

Today, the last day of 2011, I stocked up on 100 watt incandescent light bulbs. I’ve hoarded twenty-four of them which should last well into 2014. By that time public outrage will force the light bulb law to be repealed, and with it any number of other senseless laws and regulations.