14 May 2002 - farm subsidy quiz

How does President Bush, the free trader, rationalize signing the giant farm subsidy bill?

A. This is a free trade, money for votes.
B. Well, it’s almost free—only $160,000,000,000.
C. OK, the cost in international political capital is rather steep, but it’s worthwhile if we can restore the budget deficit. Then there’ll always be a scapegoat.
D. What giant bill? He never believed that beanstalk story.