I'm not sure about that math, Walter. Put in Binary terms, (on or off, 1 or 0) there would be 2e6 (two to the power of six) or 64 relationships, not 2e30 or over a billion. However I do see where you're coming from. A nation's economy is simply too chaotic to properly control. Millions of people who don't have the same thought processes or level of income are just too much to adequately predict.

Dear Mr. Williams,
I have been a fanof your columns and essays for quite some time. I have to say that this weeks column is now one of my favorites. Thank you for such a fine illustration of common sense economics. By the way, do you think that my being a Wisconsin resident will help qualify me for the position of "boxed macaroni and cheese czar"? :)