In the inaugural installment of Readers Around Town, Andy, who in addition to being this blog's most loyal reader happens to be a close friend and fellow Amherst grad, had his question selected for the Freakonomics blog Q&A with agricultural economist Daniel Sumner:
Q: Are there any good arguments that support farm subsidies? If so, to what extent and in what manner may they be justified?
A: No.
My longer answer is here.
I look at a dozen suggested rationales for farm programs and reject them all except the last one — which is we have farm programs because we have had them for 75 years and people are afraid of even thinking about a world without subsidies.
Andy's straightforward question, rarely if ever asked and never really addressed in the politics or the media made Reason's coverage of the Freakonomics post as well.
I have been reading more of the Frakonomics blog recently, it is one of Andy's favorites. The most telling part for me is the comment thread, where NYTimes.com readers try to wrap their head around rational economic ideas, while maintaining their belief that they know best for others. Consider another question submitted by the readers:
Q: What are your thoughts on passing a mandate for gardens in the United States? Do you think having each person who owns a house in this country grow a garden could be feasible?
Ugh. Anyway, bravo for Andy! As for the rest of you, have you done, written, or said anything of note? If so, drop me an email and I would be happy to post it here.
