Showing results for: “Michael Vita”
The Enforcers [#agworkshop] [#dojusda]
To expand on Geoff’s post about concentration in the seed industry, there has been a consistent line of discussion throughout the day raising the specter of monopoly and anti-competitive behavior, not only in seed but also in livestock. There are continual references to adverse price effects and limitations in choice for consumers and producers alike, ... The Enforcers [#agworkshop] [#dojusda]
A More "Competitive" Agriculture? [#agworkshop]
The morning’s panel of farmers represented a variety of perspectives, ranging from more reasoned to more reactionary. Among the ideas suggested: More reasoned: Find a balance between food and fuel in the policy debate (though no clear directions how) Increase trade in global markets (always easy to talk about forcing other countries to buy more ... A More "Competitive" Agriculture? [#agworkshop]
Why Citizens United was right
Let me say at the outset, some of my prior beliefs. First, I believe in the marketplace of ideas and think that more speech is generally better than less speech. I believe the Founders shared this belief and enshrined it in the “no law” component of the First Amendment. I believe this is especially true ... Why Citizens United was right
The Aggregation Problem [#agworkshop]
As Geoff noted, we’re stationed at the DOJ/USDA workshop to witness the goings on and provide some comments. US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack opened this session with a laundry list of statistics concerning rural America and the agriculture sector. The statistics focused on national concentration ratios and national averages, which are tremendously deceiving for ... The Aggregation Problem [#agworkshop]
Heritage Of A Taco
Thanks to Peter Klein over at O&M for bringing attention to this image created by a group of California design students showing the network of suppliers necessary to produce the taco enjoyed at their favorite local taco truck. While the purpose of their picture is to illustrate the ecological footprint (“tacoshed”) of their favorite tacos, ... Heritage Of A Taco
The efficient level of torture
Every morning on my 1-mile drive to work, I pass two signs expressing outrage about torture – one is a hand-made yard sign, the other an ominous black banner hanging from a church window: “torture is wrong.” (Yes, punctuation by e.e. cummings it seems.) Is it? I’m not sure. The optimal amount of torture is ... The efficient level of torture
NYT on Hazlett's TV Broadband Auction Proposal
Richard Thaler’s NYT Economic View column features Tom Hazlett (my colleague, and former chief economist as the FCC) proposal for auctioning off TV spectrum. Thaler points out: These frequencies are very attractive on technological grounds. People in the industry refer to them as “beachfront property” because these low-frequency radio waves have desirable properties: they travel ... NYT on Hazlett's TV Broadband Auction Proposal
Health Care Reform, Reconciliation, and the Role of the Senate: Some Wise Counsel from Key Democrats
Well, it looks like Congress is going to attempt to enact the Senate’s health care bill using the reconciliation process. President Obama certainly suggested as much in Thursday’s Health Care Summit, downplaying the significance of such a move and suggesting it may be necessary in order to “move forward.” First, he said to Senator McCain: ... Health Care Reform, Reconciliation, and the Role of the Senate: Some Wise Counsel from Key Democrats
Why Don't Federal Judges "Hire" Economists More Often?
Dick Langlois’ post on Carl Kaysen’s role in the United Machinery antitrust case reminded me of a question I’ve been meaning to blog about. Langlois writes: Obituaries praise Kaysen for his role as a policy intellectual of great scope, especially in the area of nuclear non-proliferation. But they either fail to mention, or mention with ... Why Don't Federal Judges "Hire" Economists More Often?
The Environmental Responsibility of Business? Make Profit!
That’s the punchline of a recent paper by Pierre Desrochers (U Toronto). Pierre has written some interesting papers on a range of topics related to economic development, technological innovation, and the intersection of business and the environment. He argues that it is governmental (regulatory) failures that distort the environmental consequences of corporate behavior, not ... The Environmental Responsibility of Business? Make Profit!
Competition in Agriculture (cross-posted)
Antitrust & Competition Policy Blog is hosting a symposium on Competition in Agriculture. So far today, there are posts by Ron Cass (BU Law), Jeff Harrison (U of Florida Law), and me. Additional posts should be forthcoming from Christina Bohannan (U. Iowa Law), Scott Kieff (GW Law), Andrew Novakovic (Cornell Applied Economics), George Priest (Yale ... Competition in Agriculture (cross-posted)
The NFL As A Single Firm?
When I first read Josh’s post of antitrust links below, I thought “Drew Brees? Surely not THAT Drew Brees.” Turns out, it IS that Drew Brees. I was very interested to read the QB’s take on American Needle and his plead for the Supreme Court to reject the NFL’s petition to be deemed “a single ... The NFL As A Single Firm?
