Assignment # 1 - HogRaising

Andrea Sauers
Green Class ~ Economics

1) The basic irony or dilemma expressed by this leter is that the Government is paying hog raisers more money not to raise hogs, than to do the actual work of raising them. The irony is in the no work being done, yet getting paid.
2) By paying people not to raise hogs, the government is attempting to improve the market of hogs. During the time of the letter, there was an excess amount of hogs, making their values decrease. By paying people not to raise hogs, there are less, making the amount available less, and the amount that they're worth more.
3) The literary tool the critics of big government used is indirect criticism of the US Government. He does it indirectly by using the analogy of hog raising, but means it actually represents the economy in general. Therefore, the article also uses symbolism.
4) The social value this story conveys is dishonesty and manipulation. The story points out a practice of the government which is hid from the people of America, which affects our nation's economy.