In South Korea, rice farmers get large income support from the government, which also leads to higher prices of rice in the domestic market. Obviously, farmers don't want to dismantle such barriers.

They're isolated from normal sources of support, struggling, seeing a good portion of their income go to rent. Their private lives get put on the back burner.

Rich countries have been given time until 2013 to eliminate agricultural export subsidies. That's eight long years and gives ample opportunities for various interest groups in Europe and the U.S. to lobby against the elimination of such subsidies.

We have to put on a little circus. We figure that sometimes you have to add a bit of dramatic elements to get people's attention.

If income tax is the price you have to pay to keep the government on its feet, alimony is the price we have to pay for sweeping a woman off hers.

If the government is prepared to top up your income even if you opt out of the state scheme then you may as well take up this lump sum. It will not cost you anything to do so.