What in our world shows us Parable of the Sower as a possible future?

The condition of our planet, our economy, and our populations' mindset right now share similarities with the possible, not too distant future of the United States in Parable of the Sower. The natural state of our planet is disintegrating (i.e. the Gulf Oil Spill, constant ecosystem destruction to make room for industry, and all the trash buried in landfills every day). We are using our resources and changing the condition of Earth so rapidly that our world and we are unable to adjust. Also, with the value of money so low, it is hard for people to gain necessities. It is impossible for people in poverty to afford healthy foods, and get medical attention when it is vital. Big corporations are overpowering smaller local businesses, putting the control of many workers’ and their families into the hands of one giant corporation (similar to KSF in the novel). Also, many people in America are unable to imagine a world where the resources, people, and concepts they rely on are no longer dependable. We have so many material goods and such structured-scheduled lives that we get buried in small details and are unable to, or chose not to think about the possibility of change. All of these aspects of our world right now apply to people in Parable of the Sower. For example, water and food become extremely hard to get because of inflation, lack of resources, and the disrupted cycle of the weather. The people who are able to find temporary shelter behind their community walls try to block out the chaos and murder occurring around them and trying to live the lives they lead in the past.