As a driver of a car, the most valuable thing is gasoline. So it's OK for me to drive 55mph through a school zone with kids crossing the street, because I get maximum fuel efficiency that way. If I slowed down, I would not be making the best use of a precious resource. So what if I mow some kids down? Me, me, me!

My point is, sometimes you have to realize that what's best for the individual is not what's best for society, and that you need to compromise. (In the case of the school zone, the government mandates that you play nice. You can say hello to a fine if you value your fuel economy over the safety of the children trying to cross the street. In the case of a corn farm, the opposite effect is in play -- the government gives you money to only worry about the health of your land. The planet itself can get bent, it's standing in the way of cheap soda!)