Well, maybe farm subsidies "saved" the family farm? Not exactly. More mechanization, better seeds and cultivation practices have enabled fewer, bigger farms to produce more food.

Government has a legitimate role in agriculture to ensure food safety, promote research and development and oversee the environment. But most of today’s farm programs are simply income transfers from consumers and taxpayers to farmers.

politicians draw their power from distributing benefits, and various interest groups feel entitled to receive them—even if they serve no defensible public purpose.


Autor: DM