Discourse and Discussion - Cap/Com

[pchang]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
[The point was they planned for the future.

No more so than we do now. It is just that their ability to cause a lot of trouble was a lot less than our ability now. You have to remember that the southwest used to have a lot of trees. The native americans in that region pretty much deforested the place a few thousand years ago.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by pchang
You have to remember that the southwest used to have a lot of trees. The native americans in that region pretty much deforested the place a few thousand years ago.

Having been on an archeology dig in the area, I have to say you are incorrect. It's been a scrubby desert for much of the period of human civilization there.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Arrian
I'll tell you this...

If I had more free time, I would most likely spend it on the things I like to do - and most of those things are anti-social (reading, playing computer games) or apply only to small groupings of friends*.

No, it makes you an American.

[Arrian]

I think it just means that I'm a bit of a hermit.

-Arrian

[chequita guevara]

That's what I said.

[Arrian]

Let's get into the issue of short-sightedness some more. It's something that tends to get me all fired up IRL. It's clear to me that one of the primary weaknesses of democracy is the tendency of politicians to look ahead only as far as the next election.

So, how do we deal with that? Given that I continue to believe democracy is the best form of government available, how does one get politicians to look farther ahead than 4 or maybe 8 years?

-Arrian

[chequita guevara]

I'll have to think about that.

[Arrian]

It's not an easy question, by any stretch.

Obviously, the electorate has to demand long-term strategy, and punish politicians who are short-sighted by not re-electing them. But how do we get there?

-Arrian

[chequita guevara]

One way would be if the media actually paid attention to real problems and investigated them. It would probably also help if the right-wing pundits weren't deliberately lying to their audience. How about a truth in media law?

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Arrian
It's not an easy question, by any stretch.

Obviously, the electorate has to demand long-term strategy, and punish politicians who are short-sighted by not re-electing them. But how do we get there?

-Arrian

Its tough. More information on long term goals might help but I think that most people will remain more concerned about the economy NOW than even the economy 15 years from now.

But there are examples where people have grudgingly accepted short term pain in the name of a long etrm benefit. The government cutbacks in Canada in the 80s are an example-=-Although painful and fought vehemently by some, you did see a significant portion of the population accepting the short term pain in the name of long-term fiscal health

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Arrian
It's not an easy question, by any stretch.

Obviously, the electorate has to demand long-term strategy, and punish politicians who are short-sighted by not re-electing them. But how do we get there?

-Arrian

Its tough. More information on long term goals might help but I think that most people will remain more concerned about the economy NOW than even the economy 15 years from now.

But there are examples where people have grudgingly accepted short term pain in the name of a long etrm benefit. The government cutbacks in Canada in the 80s are an example-=-Although painful and fought vehemently by some, you did see a significant portion of the population accepting the short term pain in the name of long-term fiscal health

[chequita guevara]

National referrendums, national recall of elected officials? It's good Gray Davis got booted for lying to the people of California.

How about a truth in politics law? Make it illegal for someone to lie to the American public when running for or holding public office.

[Arrian]

"Truth in" laws instantly worry me. I agree that, ideally, people shouldn't lie, especially if they have the ability to lie to millions and be believed. However, inevitably there will be two problems:

1) What's a "lie" and what is "spin?"
2) Will such legislation effectively discourage good investigative reporting b/c if a reporter goes after a powerful organization/group, that group might try and go after them for "lying" about them?

-Arrian

[Flubber]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
How about a truth in politics law? Make it illegal for someone to lie to the American public when running for or holding public office.

Wow-- so we could watch the two major parties taking even more frequent trips to the courthouse than we do now

Also would reasonable belief be a defense?? Politicians could then be "accidentally" misinformed so they could then continue the same types of statements with impunity.

[Agathon]

Let the CPA run things.


If you pollute, I'll have you shot.

Going to pollute now, boy?