Front yard vegetation and other liberties are in danger

The day that citizens are banned from growing fruits and vegetables is the day that we are truly not free. Unfortunately, it seems as though that day has come all too soon for a couple in Miami Shores, Florida.

Tom Carroll and Hermine Ricketts had been cultivating their garden for 17 years when their hometown, Miami Shores, passed a new ordinance restricting vegetable growing to the backyard. The couple begrudgingly dug up their lush garden in Aug. 2013, after local officials threatened them with a daily fine of $50, according to reporting by Fox News.

The South Florida couple sued over the garden ban,

Richard Sarafan, attorney of the couple explained, “Aesthetics and uniformity are legitimate government purposes,” further proving that the government’s interest are not in the citizen’s well being, but rather aesthetics and conformity.

This circumstance is one too many. We have a government dictating what foods people may grow, eat, and sell. From Monsanto to GMO’s, there is no question as to if we are being intentionally poisoned.

Crops are heavily sprayed with pesticides like Roundup, which contains glyphosate, that pollute the environment, cause ‘allergies,’ and even directly lead to cancer(s). This is all the more reason to grow our own food, organically.

Food is a natural human right — not in the sense that governments should be in charge of providing it for the people, but rather that human beings are endowed with the right and responsibility to grow it for themselves and reap the fruits of their labor, without interference from governments and corporations.

Functionality and productivity are without a doubt valued in the U.S., though when concerned about the health and well being of the people, the disregard is almost too heavy to comprehend.

Such a seemingly peaceful event may seem miniscule in the big picture to most people, however this may only be the beginning.

By allowing unnecessary decorations, and “pretty” flowers, yet prohibiting the growth of vegetables in front yards, the government is demanding a continuation of useless land space with grass.

Zoning revisions such as the one that took place back in May in Florida very may occur in any state, even here Kentucky. If this does happen, we must make it a priority to refuse the bans and demand our rights as citizens.

Without the freedom to provide for ourselves and family, the question that must be asked is whether or not we truly have freedom in the U.S.