tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940822.post1576565028152004867..comments2023-10-11T00:09:09.326+09:00Comments on Global Security, Economics and Politics: The Rice SolutionBrian Dearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245669219787782042noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940822.post-81385088027628989922006-11-02T21:56:00.000+09:002006-11-02T21:56:00.000+09:00First, it is true that the US does subsidize rice ...First, it is true that the US does subsidize rice production. However the government of Korea subsidizes domestic production as well. If I spend less money on rice, that means I can support other industries that are losing my business because of artificially high prices. So what about the poor garmet makers that aren't getting my business? What about the poor cab drivers that aren't getting my business because I spend too much on rice. What makes the rice farmer a "special" group deserving of protection? What about the entire South Korean population that is spending a disproportionate share of their income supporting the rice industry. While helping the "poor, defenseless farmers" sounds noble, the truth is that they've had years to prepare for the reduction of rice tariffs. The issue first arose during the 1994 Urugary Round WTO negotiations. It's been 12 years. In that time, rather than providing protection, the government should have been assisting the farmers with modernization. I don't want to hear about the plight of the poor farmer when they have equal access to education as the rest of South Korea. No one forces them to be farmers. They could easily sell their land and invest in other industries if they were so inclined. I've been to Korean rice farms, I've talked with farmers. They want to protest at the drop of a hat, yet with a similar expenditure of energy towards moderization, they would have nothing to protest -- they could compete. I propose ending all subsidies and tariffs. They are all counterproductive to any countries economy. How about subsidizing my income so I can afford expensive rice?Brian Dearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09245669219787782042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940822.post-38312349467603851082006-11-02T21:43:00.000+09:002006-11-02T21:43:00.000+09:00dear sir/madam,
While you might be right in deman...dear sir/madam,<br /><br />While you might be right in demanding that markets should decide prices and not government control, I would like to point out that its subisidies not markets that drive the US rice production. This means that by opening up your marekts you are supporting this unfairness in trade. <br />I think you need to be a little more sensitive to the government's stubborness on this issue. Though you might end up eating cheaper rice, you might be taking away from the livelihood of poorer Korean farmers. <br />Sometimes free markes are not always free.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com