Sounds like Arthur Okun's "leaky bucket" metaphor for describing the efficiency-equity tradeoff is gaining widespread acceptance by the median voter :-)
-----Original Message----- From: Alex Tabarrok [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2002 2:42 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: farm subsidies/amtrak Regarding the support of the public for farm subsidies etc. here is another example. The Washington Post reports in a poll that support for Amtrak subsidies is very strong - and it is strong regardless of Amtrak use. Here is the link and some key sentences. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43767-2002Aug4.html A large majority of Americans favor continuing federal subsidies to Amtrak, and a substantial percentage would increase federal funding so the ailing passenger railroad can increase service, according to a Washington Post poll. The survey showed that pro-Amtrak sentiment was somewhat stronger in the Northeast, which already has extensive train service, but all sections of the country were solidly in the Amtrak camp. All age groups, education levels and household incomes were in favor of Amtrak subsidies and the 18-to-34 age group supported the subsidies overwhelmingly..... It also may help explain why members of Congress and other politicians from across the country have supported Amtrak for many years, even when their states or districts have only one train that passes through in the middle of the night. Alex
