My Take on Farmer Kristof
An economist is talking to a college student. The student says "I don't know how to play the piano, but I've always really wanted to learn."
The economist replies "Obviously not."
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11 December 2008
Editor, The New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
To the Editor:
While I agree with Nicholas Kristof's criticisms of Uncle Sam's practice of picking Americans' pockets and transferring the booty to big agribusiness, I'm mystified by his "regret" that his "kids don’t have the chance to grow up on a farm" as he did ("Obama's 'Secretary of Food'?," December 11).
America has lots of farms and farmland. Even along the heavily urbanized eastern seaboard, many local farms thrive. So the truth is, Mr. Kristof did indeed "have the chance" to live on a farm and raise his children there. The fact that he didn't do so reflects no obstacle other than the fact that working for the New York Times is more attractive to him than farming. He CHOSE not to live on a farm. He CHOSE the amenities of urban living; these weren't forced upon him by the Department of Agriculture or by anyone or anything other than his own preferences.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
The economist replies "Obviously not."
................................
11 December 2008
Editor, The New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
To the Editor:
While I agree with Nicholas Kristof's criticisms of Uncle Sam's practice of picking Americans' pockets and transferring the booty to big agribusiness, I'm mystified by his "regret" that his "kids don’t have the chance to grow up on a farm" as he did ("Obama's 'Secretary of Food'?," December 11).
America has lots of farms and farmland. Even along the heavily urbanized eastern seaboard, many local farms thrive. So the truth is, Mr. Kristof did indeed "have the chance" to live on a farm and raise his children there. The fact that he didn't do so reflects no obstacle other than the fact that working for the New York Times is more attractive to him than farming. He CHOSE not to live on a farm. He CHOSE the amenities of urban living; these weren't forced upon him by the Department of Agriculture or by anyone or anything other than his own preferences.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Sunday May 10, 2009 at 2:16pm