Some Questions for Ecuador's "Leader"
1 October 2007
Editor, Washington Post
1150 15th St., NW
Washington, DC 20071
Dear Editor:
Ecuador's President Rafeal Correa opposes freer trade with the U.S. because "it would be dangerous for our farmers" ("Ecuador’s Hugo Chavez?," October 1).
I have some questions for Pres. Correa. Suppose that a new and nearly costless technique were invented that increased agricultural yields so magnificently that all Ecuadorians could be well and safely fed from the output of only one farmer. Would you oppose such technological progress? If so, why don't you also require Ecuadorian farmers to till the soil with nothing but their bare hands, for that policy would stimulate even more work and effort in the agricultural sector?
And if you wouldn't oppose technological progress in Ecuadorian agriculture, why do you oppose commerce that promises the same result, namely, an increase the supply of food for citizens of your country?
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Editor, Washington Post
1150 15th St., NW
Washington, DC 20071
Dear Editor:
Ecuador's President Rafeal Correa opposes freer trade with the U.S. because "it would be dangerous for our farmers" ("Ecuador’s Hugo Chavez?," October 1).
I have some questions for Pres. Correa. Suppose that a new and nearly costless technique were invented that increased agricultural yields so magnificently that all Ecuadorians could be well and safely fed from the output of only one farmer. Would you oppose such technological progress? If so, why don't you also require Ecuadorian farmers to till the soil with nothing but their bare hands, for that policy would stimulate even more work and effort in the agricultural sector?
And if you wouldn't oppose technological progress in Ecuadorian agriculture, why do you oppose commerce that promises the same result, namely, an increase the supply of food for citizens of your country?
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Friday March 28, 2008 at 10:23pm