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The Politics of Pork

The production and consumption of Pork has been a part of North American Economics throughout our history, but have you thought about the role of pigs in the storied history of economics? These are just a few thoughts on the Politics of Pork!

Where the saying “living high on the hog” came from?
It started among enlisted men in the U.S. Army, who received inexpensive shoulder and leg cuts of pork while the officers received the top loin cuts. So “living high on the hog” came to mean living well.

What’s the origin of the saying “pork barrel” politics?”
The phrase is derived from the American pre-Civil War practice of distributing salt pork to the slaves from huge barrels. In the 1870’s, members of the US congress were referring to regularly dipping into the “pork barrel” to obtaining funds for popular projects in their home districts.

What’s the highest known price ever paid for a hog?
$56,000 was paid for a cross-breed hog named “Bud,” on March 5, 1985.

How “Uncle Sam” came to represent the U.S. Government?
During the war of 1812, a New York pork packer named Uncle Sam Wilson shipped a boatload of several hundred barrels of pork to U.S. troops. Each barrel was stamped “U.S.” on the docks, and it was quickly said that the “U.S.” stood for “Uncle Sam,” whose large shipment seemed to be enough to feed the entire army. This is how the name “Uncle Sam” came to represent the U.S. Government.

What President Truman had to say about hogs?
“No man should be allowed to be President who does not understand hogs.”

Don’t forget! Porkapalooza 2015 is coming up fast on June 19-21st at Borden Park in Edmonton. Tickets are now available for Friday Night Ribfest, the the limited seating Father’s Day Brunch. Visit www.porkapalooza.ca now for more information!