I’m listening to Michael Pollan’s appearance on Radio WNYC and wondering exactly how does the Secretary of Agriculture get chosen? One thought that immediately occurs is this should be common knowledge, but let’s face it we don’t all know the intricacies of government. The one thing I am absolutely certain of is that no online petition will make a difference. Please just imagine if Barack Obama, the next President of our country, took policy advice from a faceless online petition. I shudder at the thought.
I agree with a lot of what Pollan says about our food industry, and some of the steps that need to be taken to rectify the problem. But is he qualified? For some reason I imagine a Secretary of Agriculture should have some sort of degree relating to the field. Pollan has done extensive research, but he is still a journalist and writer. He shares with the listeners his ideas on what changes he’d like to see implemented, and I think having Pollan on as an advisor would be great. But maybe someone who knows how to get things done in the bedlam of our government is a better choice to jump in Obama’s cabinet.
