Salt of the land.

In the U.S. there is often an idealized sense of respect towards certain professions. Sort of a "salt of the land" myopia. Fisherman, farmers, loggers (not so much anymore), and hunters (not really a profession at this point) have long held a respected place in American society. I must ask you, why?

These industries, at their core, involve the collecting of what nature provides and reducing it to saleable form. Basically, what prehistoric man did millenia ago. Sure, we may have fancier tractors, and more efficient ways to harvest tuna (and whales, and dolphins, and anything else that comes near the nets), but not much has changed. Have you ever actually spoken to someone in the farming, or cattle, or dairy, or fishing business? It can be eye opening.

Due to the fact that most of these industries rely upon public land, they tend to be atrocious stewards of their industry. Timber industries aren't interested in properly harvesting areas; they clear cut and move on. Why reduce your catch today when it just means that some other boat will catch what you don't? Why not blow twenty quail out of the sky for no reason; it's not as though we're going to run out. When nobody owns something, nobody feels it's their responsibility to take care of it.