Politics

[CTSballer11]

I am curious to see where premeds fall on the political spectrum?

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[dilated]

I used to be Democrat but now I vacillate between which party I dislike more. Today it is the Republicans, thanks to GWB announcing that he thinks "intelligent design" should be taught alongside that ever-questionable theory of evolution! Way to go Reps!

 

[tank you]

I used to be Democrat but now I vacillate between which party I dislike more. Today it is the Republicans, thanks to GWB announcing that he thinks "intelligent design" should be taught alongside that ever-questionable theory of evolution! Way to go Reps!

thats dispicable. its not mandatory yet, is it?

 

[pagemmapants]

You're missing a few parties in here, I'd say. . .

Who is John Galt?

 

[dilated]

You're missing a few parties in here, I'd say. . .

Who is John Galt?

Oh no! An objectivist! Get thee behind me, Satan!

 

[CTSballer11]

I used to be Democrat but now I vacillate between which party I dislike more. Today it is the Republicans, thanks to GWB announcing that he thinks "intelligent design" should be taught alongside that ever-questionable theory of evolution! Way to go Reps!

Yea I know what you mean. The religious conservatives are ruining the republican party.

 

[pagemmapants]

Oh no! An objectivist! Get thee behind me, Satan!

Says the guy who's carpet-bombing the Ivy leagues now that he's got some sexy numbers to match those washboard abs.

Pseudo-objectivist. Ayn Rand wouldn't like my volunteer work or my affinity for slacker musicians. Mm.

 

[dilated]

Says the guy who's carpet-bombing the Ivy leagues now that he's got some sexy numbers to match those washboard abs.

Pseudo-objectivist. Ayn Rand wouldn't like my volunteer work or my affinity for slacker musicians. Mm.

I bet she was a Danielle Steele-reading softy in her spare time. Volunteering is probably a no-no though.

Slacker musicians? I hope you're not an emo kid. Sadly, there can be no redemption from that. Doomed to an endless life of Conor Oberst B-sides. *shudder*

 

[TehFrr]

Just Democrats and Republicans? Where are the Libertarians?? No interest in the Republican's religous agenda, no interest in the democrat's taxes and nanny state. Let me keep my money & guns, and leave me alone.

 

[Shredder]

Says the guy who's carpet-bombing the Ivy leagues now that he's got some sexy numbers to match those washboard abs.

Pseudo-objectivist. Ayn Rand wouldn't like my volunteer work or my affinity for slacker musicians. Mm.

hehe you and your galt. if ayn was on adcoms she would love me! +i only listen to linkin park, papa roach, etc etc, the good mainstream stuff that generates tons of value!

libertarians and whoever, you know the country is bipartisan. so if you had to vote for a candidate...vote GOP!

 

[tacrum43]

so if you had to vote for a candidate...vote GOP!

Voting solely on the basis of party affliation is reckless in my opinion.

 

[Shredder]

Voting solely on the basis of party affliation is reckless in my opinion.

it takes more time than its worth to evaluate every stance of every candidate, and as for third parties, dont you want your vote to count for something?

id expatriate before casting a ballot for a dem

 

[tacrum43]

id expatriate before casting a ballot for a dem

Now there's a sensible statment. I've changed my mind, all you SDNers should definitely follow Shredder's advice and vote GOP because not only is any given Democrat un-american, they're also psychotic baby eaters who come from Mars, and therefore cannot be trusted. Ever. [/SARCASM]

Plus, you'd never expatriate, Shredder, for two reasons:

1. There is no country in the world that is run more like U.S. Republicans want than the U.S. I mean Republicans control the House, Senate, White House and the Supreme Court is coming soon.

2. Donald Trump is an american citizen, and by becoming a citizen of another country, you would, in effect, be distancing yourself from "The Donald".

 

[JayQuah]

y'all heard the joke about the best way to convert someone to the GOP is to kick um outta mom and dad's place and have um start payin taxes??
Guffaw.
I'm still democrat though. FREE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL!!

 

[Shredder]

1. There is no country in the world that is run more like U.S. Republicans want than the U.S. I mean Republicans control the House, Senate, White House and the Supreme Court is coming soon.

2. Donald Trump is an american citizen, and by becoming a citizen of another country, you would, in effect, be distancing yourself from "The Donald".

good points, good points, especially 2 heheh unless i move to toronto where i will at least be physically closer to him. the simpler reasoning though is that i wouldnt expatriate bc id never cast a ballot for a dem, and if do it will be only at the muzzle of a gun, at which point i will take off!

i just want republicans in every office and position in the country, otherwise i can never be entirely content!

 

[tacrum43]

i just want republicans in every office and position in the country, otherwise i can never be entirely content!

Somewhere, a Democrat just died. Are you happy now? (j/k)

P.S. How many times does history have to show that governments controlled by one party/person are not a good thing? I certainly wouldn't want Democrats only or any other party. Centralizing power like this in a political party makes democracy pointless. And you, Shredder, of all people, should support democracy, as otherwise there would be no competition for political positions and surely you wouldn't have that.

 

[Shredder]

Somewhere, a Democrat just died. Are you happy now? (j/k)

P.S. How many times does history have to show that governments controlled by one party/person are not a good thing? I certainly wouldn't want Democrats only or any other party. Centralizing power like this in a political party makes democracy pointless. And you, Shredder, of all people, should support democracy, as otherwise there would be no competition for political positions and surely you wouldn't have that.

thats a good point, competition is good. although china is booming with its autocratic govt right now, eh? just bringing it up bc im reading a book on china. i guess the federal govt is ok right now with the gop controlling everything officially. its kinda annoying when there are disputes and deadlocks in congress though. although the stem cell thing is also a little annoying, but i can live with it. i at least give bush credit for sticking to his guns, thats admirable when flip flopping politicians abound.

i cant talk about it too much, ive never been a serious student of history or poli sci so i quickly get in over my head. but now that i think about it, as long as you have the monopoly then to hell with competition!

 

[rpkall]

Just Democrats and Republicans? Where are the Libertarians?? No interest in the Republican's religous agenda, no interest in the democrat's taxes and nanny state. Let me keep my money & guns, and leave me alone.

Nice!

I'm with ya, buddy.

I do enjoy a strong foreign policy when it comes to terrorists, but I can't stand when religion and government mix in this incestuous Dance of the Sugarplum Christians. People should write new legislation based on common sense, scientific research, and sociology experiments. Of course, if this leads to the government taking any more of my money at the end of the week, they can go to hell. ahaha!

 

[Reimat]

I used to be Democrat but now I vacillate between which party I dislike more. Today it is the Republicans, thanks to GWB announcing that he thinks "intelligent design" should be taught alongside that ever-questionable theory of evolution! Way to go Reps!

I saw that. What a waste of time to teach that theory. IMO, any 'theory' that advertises itself with the word intelligent, probably isn't.

Anyhow, like Shredder said, the country is bipartisan, my addition being that both parties are pretty much the same anyways- crappy. I could probably even be ok with the GOP if they didn't try to stick their heads into science policy. Makes me so mad

 

[Hoya11]

thats a good point, competition is good. although china is booming with its autocratic govt right now, eh? just bringing it up bc im reading a book on china. i guess the federal govt is ok right now with the gop controlling everything officially. its kinda annoying when there are disputes and deadlocks in congress though. although the stem cell thing is also a little annoying, but i can live with it. i at least give bush credit for sticking to his guns, thats admirable when flip flopping politicians abound.

i cant talk about it too much, ive never been a serious student of history or poli sci so i quickly get in over my head. but now that i think about it, as long as you have the monopoly then to hell with competition!

China is not "booming". China is getting better but still sucks. And they are not exactly autocratic anymore.

You can live with the stem cell things because....your not paralyzed.

And with the GOP controlling everything you get....hmm huge wars and deaths?

Yet everything is ok, cuz GWB is not a flip flopper. That is just regurgitation of GOP propaganda of the day. He certainly does stick to his horrible ideas.

I hate Bush and the GOP right now I cannot believe any reasonable person would support what is going on. Most Rs arguments nowadays are based on fear, christianity, and personal power, and youll know it when you hear it cuz you have heard it before, its like they read off of a script they are given at the beginning of the day. "Flip flopper" i honestly cant believe some of you smart people can be so stupid.

 

[bwells46]

Bush is a great example of two things:

1. You can be resolute and still be wrong.

2. You can be totally impervious to a college education.

 

[PineappleGirl]

I voted here for independent. I don't consider a candidate's party when voting and am registered as "no party affiliation". I just go for whoever, IMO, has the best ideas/policy. I voted for Bush the first time around but then voted for Kerry the second time around, since I think Bush is just screwing up with Iraq and the war on terror. I am conservative with fiscal matters but really don't care what people do in their own homes/lives. I am definitely pro-choice, in favor of gay marriage and would not be opposed to the legislation of most types of drugs. Just please don't raise my taxes!

 

[tigress]

See, I actually like paying taxes. I know that puts me in a tiny minority. But I would be perfectly willing to give up a significantly higher percentage of my money to taxes if it meant the country could be more like how I want it, on a more European model (yes, more "socialist," if you'd like to call it that).

But to people who hate taxes, do you like having an interstate system? Paved roads? Sewers and sanitation? Public education is necessary; how else would we educate our workforce to do all of the jobs that need to be done (from engineers to construction workers, people need at least a basic education)? EVERYBODY benefits from the public education system, which is why the school voucher issue bothers me so much. A huge part of our infrastructure is supported by tax dollars. How about the military? Do you think we should try supporting the military with privately raised money?

That's what I don't really understand about the strict Libertarian ideals: how in the world can you run the country without things like taxes and centralized government? I think you could make a good argument that our country is huge, and perhaps should be more decentralized, with more local governing power, but even so you need a centralized state government with a tax system, a police force, etc.

As for my political affiliation, Democrat. But I don't just jump on the bandwagon and follow party policy because they say so. OTOH, I disagree with almost everything the Republican party has said in the past 5 years. I do like individual Republicans (the more moderate/liberal ones, of course). I happily vote for Arlen Specter, for example.

I'm just rooting for Obama in 2008
(I Barack Obama)

 

[kornnata]

China is not "booming". China is getting better but still sucks. And they are not exactly autocratic anymore.

You can live with the stem cell things because....your not paralyzed.

And with the GOP controlling everything you get....hmm huge wars and deaths?

Yet everything is ok, cuz GWB is not a flip flopper. That is just regurgitation of GOP propaganda of the day. He certainly does stick to his horrible ideas.

I hate Bush and the GOP right now I cannot believe any reasonable person would support what is going on. Most Rs arguments nowadays are based on fear, christianity, and personal power, and youll know it when you hear it cuz you have heard it before, its like they read off of a script they are given at the beginning of the day. "Flip flopper" i honestly cant believe some of you smart people can be so stupid.

"Flip Flopper??" Yep, that's what Bush can do best. Labeling and attacking his adversary.

 

[mynamewastaken]

Politics in any venue is always a vicious debate but with all due respect to every post here there are many many blanket, one line statements being made that makes virtually every argument and opinion incomplete....the war is something different than stem cells which is something different than terrorism which is something different than taxes which is something different than abortion...etc...Forgive me for sounding so self-righteous and pedantic but I think that is the single largest problem with American politics. All of these very complex and vastly different issues have been diminished into a right vs. left debate, all being argued for or against in one-liners.

I loved GWB on Sept. 12, 2001 (especially because my Father worked in Tower 1 of the WTC)....and today I like him a lot less because I think he's made series of bad decisions. Look at the facts not the politics. The two are mutually exclusive.

I also realize that many people on this site are around the same age and have not lived through many past administrations....but in defense of our admittedly incompetent current president, virtually all of our current problems started long before GWB was even a Governor. Know your facts first. Argue after. Peace

 

[rpkall]

Personally...

On Socialism. I try to see the merits of most of the schools of thought out there, though, so I can understand why this mentality seduces most of American college students who learned all about the horrors and suffering in this world in 4 short years, and want an ideology to answer the challenge quickly and efficiently in the here-and-now.

But. I thought I would post my musings on the libertarian philosophy, which I should disclose that I'm partial to after exploring a few different paths (though I am not an anarchist and still believe in schools, interstates, Laws, and the like)...

This whole country is built on a merit-based ideology (at least, in theory, though the concept has been somewhat warped and diluted over the years) which holds freedom most dear. That includes the freedom to spend your money how you choose, invest it where you want to, buy what you want, and do what you like (within reason). The system of freedom and ownership brings hope to people when it's allowed to work; it instills faith in peoples' own abilities and capabilities, helps them see that they can achieve things in this world if they work hard and play it straight. Socialist ideals can fundamentally impede the progress and advances made by a capitalist economy--on more than just an economic level: they can destroy a person's faith in themselves, in their ability to achieve and take responsibility for the path their life takes and the decisions they make along the way. They remove responsibility, however indirectly, from the individual.

Of course we need interstates and schools and police and an army; but you can't remove the fundamental choices and rights of each individual in favor of what "the government thinks is right" for everyone--certainly not all the time, and certainly not even in a majority of cases. It doesn't matter if you're talking about an interstate or abolishing abortion; it's the *principle* that matters. It's the *principle* of non-interference in the lives of individuals (to various degrees, obviously--and yes, there is a spectrum) that libertarians are fighting for.

Watch the (currently conservative) government fight against abortions and gay marriage and stem cells and Terry Schiavo's husband's right to decide--just because its most powerful members "think it's right." Watch a liberal government enact sweeping tax increases and business reforms that limit the choices and productivity of American businesses, watch them spend taxpayer money on a hundred social programs that half of America doesn't agree with, make a new generation of people dependent on welfare, and make slingshots illegal "for the good of the people." Why? Because *they* think it's right.

It just boils down to the old argument: what's "right" for your family might not be "right" for my family. That's America for you--it's a big melting pot, and it should be--but how can we all coexist in a melting pot and each be secure and well-adjusted if the government takes away all our money and all our choices? Obviously, the government cannot please all the people all the time; a nation needs representatives to "govern" by making the choices their constituents (who elected them!) would make given all the information and a political education. But there are certain fundamental principles that shouldn't be routinely "tread on" in the process of governing.

The current administration is sometimes right and often wrong, but whether you like Bush, Hillary, Obama or whoever, everyone should be able to see and understand the basic civics lesson behind the libertarian argument. We all might stand to learn something from it, whether we identify more with the left or more with the right.

Okay. Now.

I'm leaving! ahah!

 

[pagemmapants]

Slacker musicians? I hope you're not an emo kid. Sadly, there can be no redemption from that. Doomed to an endless life of Conor Oberst B-sides. *shudder*

No, no, not an emo kid, although in some of my weaker moments a good Death Cab song will make me cry like a little girl, and I grudgingly admit that the new Bright Eyes album is phenomenal. However, I think my affection for the Firey Furnaces, the Arcade Fire, and the Honorary Title at least somewhat save me from emo-dom and lend me some level of "indie-cred". . .

 

[pagemmapants]

Dance of the Sugarplum Christians.

OH. MY. GOODNESS!
This is DEFINITELY going into my list of "ridiculously hilarious quotes that made me fall out of my chair" . . .
along with SailCrazy's "yacht monkey" reference.

 

[pagemmapants]

And, to get this thread back on its tracks, I just have to say that rpkall's previous post simply has to be one of the most intelligent, succinct responses to a political debate that I possibly have seen on (my short time with) this board. Bravo!

I have to say that there is still yet to be created a "party" that agrees fully with my "ideals" - although some of the libertarian party comes QUITE close, I think they tend to take it to quite an extreme and the realities of defense, highways, police forces, etc. have to come in somewhere. . . the republicans are spot on with a couple of things but as far as their ridiculous affiliation with the religious right, well. . . I won't even get started on everything that's wrong with that position. The democrats are great when it comes to gay marriage, abortion, and various other social issues, but I have to say that fiscally, I'd take a bible-thumping Rep over a spendy Dem any day. At least you can ignore preaching - you can't ignore hypertaxation for the benefit of some guy who spends all day drinking a 40 on his stoop.

I guess with this post I've probably offended EVERYONE, but please forgive me - I can't stand politics, really, and have very little level of authority to pass any real sort of judgement - never even taken a Poli Sci class - all I'm doing is sort of. . . thinking out loud if you will. I like my $$, I despise laziness/sloth/ignorance, I'm all for stem cell research/gay marriage/abortion, I'm agnostic, I am a foreigner who finds it ridiculous that it's easier for an unskilled mexican laborer to get a Visa to the US than a british professional who would be far more beneficial to the US economy, I think that most people on welfare probably don't deserve it, and I still have yet to find any single party that matches up with all of these ideals. Of course, as rpkall says, what I think is right is probably the complete opposite of what someone else thinks is right. Can't please all the people all of the time, but you can at least please the majority. That's why we have elections. *shrugs*

 

[Shredder]

the country was built on republican principles, and thats how it became great. social conservatism and economic liberalism (in the classical definition). the dems are trying to ruin both of those fronts and thats why i cant stand them, go ruin some other country!

wow tigress likes paying taxes! but thats conceding that the govt knows better how to spend your money than you do, how can this be? it would be better to voluntarily give your money to the projects you like, and let others do the same rather than forcing them to do it. anything in the "public interest" means one thing--some people want something, and they want it at others' expense.

 

[Shredder]

I have to say that there is still yet to be created a "party" that agrees fully with my "ideals" - although some of the libertarian party comes QUITE close, I think they tend to take it to quite an extreme and the realities of defense, highways, police forces, etc. have to come in somewhere. . . the republicans are spot on with a couple of things but as far as their ridiculous affiliation with the religious right, well. . . I won't even get started on everything that's wrong with that position. The democrats are great when it comes to gay marriage, abortion, and various other social issues, but I have to say that fiscally, I'd take a bible-thumping Rep over a spendy Dem any day. At least you can ignore preaching - you can't ignore hypertaxation for the benefit of some guy who spends all day drinking a 40 on his stoop.
I guess with this post I've probably offended EVERYONE, but please forgive me - I can't stand politics, really, and have very little level of authority to pass any real sort of judgement - never even taken a Poli Sci class - all I'm doing is sort of. . . thinking out loud if you will. I like my $$, I despise laziness/sloth/ignorance, I'm all for stem cell research/gay marriage/abortion, I'm agnostic, I am a foreigner who finds it ridiculous that it's easier for an unskilled mexican laborer to get a Visa to the US than a british professional who would be far more beneficial to the US economy, I think that most people on welfare probably don't deserve it, and I still have yet to find any single party that matches up with all of these ideals. Of course, as rpkall says, what I think is right is probably the complete opposite of what someone else thinks is right. Can't please all the people all of the time, but you can at least please the majority. That's why we have elections. *shrugs*

right on...mostly! gay marriage ew! i think even libertarians cede that the minimum roles of govt should be defense, police, and maybe some infrastructure. youre right about the religion thing--nobody forces you to go to church, but they will throw you in jail or kill you if you dont pay taxes to subsidize the wants and lifestyles of others

i knew the democratic premeds would eventually flood this poll. older ppl in the lounge have more sense.

 

[bwells46]

the country was built on republican principles, and thats how it became great. social conservatism and economic liberalism (in the classical definition). the dems are trying to ruin both of those fronts and thats why i cant stand them, go ruin some other country!

Definitions have become very muddled nowadays. What do you mean by the classical definition of economic liberalism? Are you talking about Keynesian economics?

BTW - the country was founded on socially liberal ideas. It was considered pretty radical for the founding fathers to decide to declare independence from Britain.

 

[bwells46]

I'd take a bible-thumping Rep over a spendy Dem any day.

Spendy democrat? Last time I checked it was the Republican Bush administration that was running up the deficit and national debt.

 

[mynamewastaken]

This country was founded on socially liberal ideas for the time they were written....from a 21st century perspective these ideals are now pillars of current conservatism....this conflict could very well be a root to many clashes in ideology within the country. Becoming a more socially liberal country in present day, while adhering to the Contitution which was drafted over 200 years ago is a tough task don't ya think?

 

[mynamewastaken]

also, i'd like to say what most other people are thinking.....no one actually cares about the national debt....you know as well as i, that government capital has never relied on, or much effected the American people. It's really only relevant in theory. None of us are going to get screwed because the wealthiest and most generous government in the world has a debt. This issue infinitely more political than relevantly practical.

 

[DrBowtie]

also, i'd like to say what most other people are thinking.....no one actually cares about the national debt....you know as well as i, that government capital has never relied on, or much effected the American people. It's really only relevant in theory. None of us are going to get screwed because the wealthiest and most generous government in the world has a debt. This issue infinitely more political than relevantly practical.

Brings up a point. Would you rather have Clinton Era surplus (i.e. the government took too much) or Bush Era deficit (i.e. the government hasn't taken enough)?

 

[mynamewastaken]

I couldn't care less about either...hence my previous post. I think on the list of priorities near an dear to my well-being, government spending is lowest. If there's a reason to feel differently I'd respect the input btw.

 

[bwells46]

also, i'd like to say what most other people are thinking.....no one actually cares about the national debt....you know as well as i, that government capital has never relied on, or much effected the American people. It's really only relevant in theory. None of us are going to get screwed because the wealthiest and most generous government in the world has a debt. This issue infinitely more political than relevantly practical.

You're kidding, right? How do you think the government accumulates debt? We borrow the money from foreign investors and issue interest-bearing bonds to them.

The amount of debt we have affects the country's risk premium in international markets. While the US still has a low risk premium, this risk premium has been growing over the past twenty years. This in turn makes investment in foreign bonds better than investment in domestic bonds. The pullout of foreign capital devalues the dollar and appreciates foreign currencies. This is why Japanese banks have been operating with a dirty float for the past several years. The dollar has depreciated in value so Japanese banks are investing in American bonds to keep the dollar:yen ratio at a steady rate. This way, the Japanese maintain their advantage in the import market.

As the national debt continues to grow, more and more American assets are becoming foreign-owned. Also, more and more foreign capital will be required to prop up the dollar. What happens when these foreign governments and banks decide that American assets are no longer worth investing in as compared to, for example, euro-based bonds? Simple, we won't have enough money to run the government and we'll need to do some major budget cutting. I'm not saying this is likely to happen anytime soon but it is a possibility.

 

[C.P. Jones]

I saw that. What a waste of time to teach that theory. IMO, any 'theory' that advertises itself with the word intelligent, probably isn't.

why force one theory on children. if it's not a law, then show all the options, why keep children closed-minded? is it really that hard to say that some ppl believe this, some ppl believe that, now look at what's available and the evidence and choose one. that is science, isn't it? or, no, we can just teach them one view, i guess that works too.

i'm sorry to have to argue this, and i really don't care which version ppl believe...but don't go telling other people what to believe, let them choose

 

[mrpankration]

The person who said they find it ridiculous that "unskilled" mexican laborers have easier times getting visas than british "professionals" and that mexican laborers contribute less to the economy obviously has never been to california. Two of California's biggest industries, agriculture and construction, are extremely dependant on mexican labor. Agriculture relies almost exclusively on "unskilled" mexican labor. Mexicans don't contribute much to the economy? What do you think would happen to the already astronomical prices of homes in California if contractors used union laborers who make $22/hour rather than illegals in many cases who make $9/hour? I don't think to many "professionals" would be to happy to pay 1.5 mil for some 2,000 sq.ft. foot home in a crappy area. It's already getting to that point. What about the price of produce? I don't think there are to many people from here that are willing to do the work that the "unskilled" mexicans do. To say that these hardworking people contribute little to the american economy is just plain ignorant.

 

[mynamewastaken]

While i admire your concern, this problem to me is similar to the way liberals feel about global warming....

The fact has been, is presently, and will be for many more generations to come, that the Unites States is the most powerful, wealthiest, and most generous (ahh! a lot of people like to forget that one) nation in the whole world. Like you said are risk premium is low....it has risen insignificantly at most in the last 3 decades. The US dollar nor our fellow citizens well ever suffer from what you consider a problem.

I would take your own advice and worry about more pertinent things like murdering innocent embryos...

 

[bwells46]

why force one theory on children. if it's not a law, then show all the options, why keep children closed-minded? is it really that hard to say that some ppl believe this, some ppl believe that, now look at what's available and the evidence and choose one. that is science, isn't it? or, no, we can just teach them one view, i guess that works too.

i'm sorry to have to argue this, and i really don't care which version ppl believe...but don't go telling other people what to believe, let them choose

It's not about keeping children closed-minded, it's about keeping science and only science in the classroom. There is no scientific basis for intelligent design because there is no testable hypothesis. Intelligent design is nothing more than repackaged creationism.

 

[mynamewastaken]

It's not about keeping children closed-minded, it's about keeping science and only science in the classroom. There is no scientific basis for intelligent design because there is no testable hypothesis. Intelligent design is nothing more than repackaged creationism.

Thats true and well said....and i'm a christian who would like to see it taught. I think the empirical evidence behind the issue is indisputable...there is none. While there are many other ways to support this idea I think the best one would be to teach darwinism and evolution with heavy emphasis because it is so scientifically supported but also acknowledge there is much debate on this topic and perhaps provide a neutral survey type lesson on other theories. I think too often we forget school is not to be professed too, it is to learn knowledge to think independantly....these kids deserve to learn other theories as long as they're taught honestly and appropriately.

 

[bwells46]

While i admire your concern, this problem to me is similar to the way liberals feel about global warming....

The fact has been, is presently, and will be for many more generations to come, that the Unites States is the most powerful, wealthiest, and most generous (ahh! a lot of people like to forget that one) nation in the whole world. Like you said are risk premium is low....it has risen insignificantly at most in the last 3 decades. The US dollar nor our fellow citizens well ever suffer from what you consider a problem.

I would take your own advice and worry about more pertinent things like murdering innocent embryos...

Actually, the US dollar has already suffered and will continue to suffer from the multi-trillion dollar national debt. The situation would be even worse if it were not for Japanese banks propping up the dollar.

If you would like, I'll try to find the PowerPoint file from when I gave on talk on this for an open-economy macroeconomics course. I put this together while I was earning my master's degree in business.

BTW - I fully support embryonic stem cell research. I don't know what I've said that would give any indication otherwise.

 

[bwells46]

Thats true and well said....and i'm a christian who would like to see it taught. I think the empirical evidence behind the issue is indisputable...there is none. While there are many other ways to support this idea I think the best one would be to teach darwinism and evolution with heavy emphasis because it is so scientifically supported but also acknowledge there is much debate on this topic and perhaps provide a neutral survey type lesson on other theories. I think too often we forget school is not to be professed too, it is to learn knowledge to think independantly....these kids deserve to learn other theories as long as they're taught honestly and appropriately.

How would you do the survey lesson? Every religion has it's own version of the creation myth. It could take months to go through them all. If you only picked a few, wouldn't that be showing religious favoritism?

That's why I think we should stick to just teaching kids the scientific theories in school and let them learn the religious explanations in church.

 

[mynamewastaken]

"Actually, the US dollar has already suffered and will continue to suffer from the multi-trillion dollar national debt. The situation would be even worse if it were not for Japanese banks propping up the dollar."

Exxxxxactly...the US dollar has suffered. There is no tangible negative effect on the American people. What you think is a problem just doesn't matter.

"If you would like, I'll try to find the PowerPoint file from when I gave on talk on this for an open-economy macroeconomics course. I put this together while I was earning my master's degree in business."

While your masters thesis must have taken you many hours and I'm sure you are quite knowledgable in the area, I'll leave the professing up to my business and econ profs....btw, since we are plugging i'm a dual degree student at the Wharton school at Penn. Conservative business at it's best. you should check it out I heard my school is pretty good....

"BTW - I fully support embryonic stem cell research. I don't know what I've said that would give any indication otherwise."

Nothing, you wreak of that opinion. Precisely why i mentioned it.

 

[Zuras]

I don't really consider myself republican, but do consider myself "anything but a democrat." My life has taught me that the democratic party stands for several things, and none of them worth pursuing, let alone holding up as party principles: ignorance, hypocrisy, child-like name calling(and other related behavior), and "issues." The republican party is at least a party of ideas, much like the ones our country was founded with. However, as said, I also distance myself from the republicans, as they too are becoming issue laden.

In regards to intelligent design/evolution, I believe that neither should be taught outside of the college level. Do we really need high schoolers to know about evolution, which itself is impossible to "scientifically" prove, particularly in regards to early "RNA earth", which statistically tends to DISPROVE the notion of evolution and the spontaneous creation of life via chemical mechanism that it requires to "begin" its story with. Many evolution-pushers seem as faith bound as the devoutly religious.

 

[mynamewastaken]

How would you do the survey lesson? Every religion has it's own version of the creation myth. It could take months to go through them all. If you only picked a few, wouldn't that be showing religious favoritism?

That's why I think we should stick to just teaching kids the scientific theories in school and let them learn the religious explanations in church.

I really don't have a problem with that. What I do think though, is if they are going to teach intell. design in public schools.....every other theory should be taught or acknowledged as well. I don't think that would take months though.

 

[mynamewastaken]

Zuras: evolution and creationism (which intell. design attempts to explain) are mutually exclusive. There is a subtle but important difference between them.

 

[bwells46]

Exxxxxactly...the US dollar has suffered. There is no tangible negative effect on the American people. What you think is a problem just doesn't matter.

While your masters thesis must have taken you many hours and I'm sure you are quite knowledgable in the area, I'll leave the professing up to my business and econ profs....btw, since we are plugging i'm a dual degree student at the Wharton school at Penn. Conservative business at it's best. you should check it out I heard my school is pretty good....

Nothing, you wreak of that opinion. Precisely why i mentioned it.

I wasn't plugging - I was putting it into context. I didn't want to come off sounding like I'm a professor teaching economics. I just wanted to be honest about it.

I looked into going out-of-state and attending Wharton, Sloan, or Harvard but my family and my wife's family are all here in Florida so I ended up staying. However, I'm sure you're enjoying your education there.

Anyways, I've got a research proposal to write up for Amgen but I'll try to come back and we can debate some more.

BTW - the word you are looking for is "reek" not "wreak".