Not buying DeCoster

(Jack) DeCoster seems unhappy that his eggs are being boycotted. He tells us his eggs are special because the USDA inspects them. In fact, the USDA inspects the eggs of all producers that want the USDA shield on their product. DeCoster’s eggs are no different than any other USDA certified eggs, except that they are processed by deliberately exploited workers.

DeCoster has been warned about conditions on his farms. He has had many years to correct these conditions. He has only begun to do so because he has been fined millions of dollars and is being forced to comply with OSHA regulation, housing codes, and environmental laws.

Now that OSHA has showed DeCoster the paths of righteousness he is a new man. He would like us to stop the boycott because he fears grocery chains and his “hard-working and loyal” employees will be hurt financially. His concerns are tardy, misplaced, and self serving. The grocery stores will simply pass on to the consumer the $.08 it costs to change producers and his employees can work for egg producers that pay fair wages, treat their employees decently, and get the grocery chains new business.

DeCoster doesn’t understand that the issue is not eggs but treating other human beings fairly and decently. Perhaps he needs to listen more closely to the preachers in his churches, or to OSHA. One or the other can straighten him out if he cares to listen. Meanwhile, I’m not buying DeCoster — either his new image or his eggs. Janet M. Alexander Old Town