[Smokin' Joe]

Under about the most basic economic theory, specialization, if Mexico can grow oranges cheaper and better than we can, while in the U.S., we're moving to a more highly-developed, high-tech economy, then we should import Mexico's oranges. It makes no sense economically for us to continue to produce them.

Not until the Mexicans get a monopoly on oranges, it doesn't. All the high tech in the world won't put a bite in your belly, but high tech devices have made US farmers some of the most efficient in the world.

[Quila]

"Not until the Mexicans get a monopoly on oranges, it doesn't. All the high tech in the world won't put a bite in your belly, but high tech devices have made US farmers some of the most efficient in the world."

If we can grow better oranges for a better price, then screw Mexico. I wasn't talking about oranges specifically, only that if another country does it better/cheaper, then economics say it's better to let them do it while we specialize in what we're good it. If the people here are right and we're so bad at farming X that we need subsidies and price supports, then X needs to be imported too.

"We had farms before computers, cars, or electricity."

So there it is. We keep the subsidies and price supports out of a sense of nostalgia for farmers. There will always be enough food, whether domestic or imported -- supply and demand says there will.

Name one mass famine that has occurred in a free democracy with a free press and civil rights.