What if the candidates pandered to economists?

[Undertoad]

NYTimes opinion today from a Harvard economics prof. The shorter version:

SUPPORT FREE TRADE: Economists are nearly unanimous in their support of an unfettered system of world trade.

OPPOSE FARM SUBSIDIES: Economists like free markets, a principle that applies to agriculture as much as any good or service.

LEAVE OIL COMPANIES AND SPECULATORS ALONE: On oil prices, most economists see nothing more sinister than the forces of global supply and demand at work. There is little benefit, and potentially much harm, in the candidates’ populist finger-pointing.

TAX THE USE OF ENERGY: Most economists advocate increased taxes on energy products.

RAISE THE RETIREMENT AGE: It will really help fix Social Security.

INVITE MORE SKILLED IMMIGRANTS: As part of their embrace of globalization, economists are more open to immigration than is the general public. Especially skilled ones.

LIBERALIZE DRUG POLICY: A 2006 poll of professional economists asked whether the United States should legalize marijuana. Those in favor outnumbered those opposed more than three to one.

RAISE FUNDS FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH: Well if nothing else works, there's always direct pandering.

[Clodfobble]

Hey look, it turns out I'm an economist!