Artificial economy and protectionism

The only thing that I could find, which may be relevant to your question, is this from another forum.....

From someone called Martyred Pleb....

"ARTIFICIAL ECONOMY EXPLAINED:
The majority of the economy is tied up in consumerisation of natural products. eg Wrapping and packaging something natural. Things like Soup in Tins, Food in Plastic, equate to almost everything being wrapped, conained, packaged etc.

Aside that we have intentional fuel wasting roads to accelerate fuel consumption which in turn is taxed considerably hence more you waste at a red light more money for the coffers. Much much more is done to establish artificial economies, military weapons and expenditure. Sure there are realistic needs and then there are the ones they do for sake of commercialisation.

Let me make it clear: An apple can easily be sold as an apple. But in Artificial economies there are things sold with teh apple, a bag, a foam tray etc. We add to the basic costs. There is not just a consumer demand for it but there is a deliberate allowance for it by government."

I had not been familiar with that term. Thanks for looking it up. When you think about it, consider the cost of rutabaga:
Plant seed, water, wait, pull up rutabaga. Cost 5 cents.
Buy rutabaga at market. Cost 50 cents.
Canned rutabaga. Cost $1.50.
None of which has any bearing on the godawful taste of rutabaga.

But it's the way we live.