I haven't much to report, but am tired of reading. So, I'll try my hand at writing for a bit. Not that I have much to write about...although I feel I have loads to say. A predicament
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Education is only as good as the parents of the children being educated.
I couldn't agree more with this statement.
You know, I honestly don't believe in democracy via popular sovereignity, as in, majority rule. The problem is that the majority have no idea what they *need* and not just what they *want*. Everyone want's a toilet made out of solid gold, but that does not mean that's in the People's best interest. Okay.. maybe I'm the only one who wants that.
Rather, I feel a Representative Democracy is the best way to provide the People what they need. Supposedly the USA is such a democracy, but I vehemently disagree. The modern media and inclincation for politicians to make a career out of being in office has turned them into mere proxies for the People, requiring that they act in accord to popular opinion otherwise they get booted out of office.
Anyway, I'm really just rambling for no reason. I just haven't talked to you in a while ;)
The more I think about it, the more I don't believe in democracy via popula sovereignity (well, especially in a country the size of the US...I wonder if in timy villages/countries if this works better
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yeah, current congressional agenda ruffles my feathers too. i really wish they would back off, let the states decide their own moral codes, and focus on solidly national problems.
the piano is so much fun. i realized last night that i'm still way off to having the coordination to play two different rhythms simultaneously (one on each hand) -- i was trying to play the Dr. Who theme ;)
Majority rule remains the best option. By best I actually mean sucks the least.
You're actually touching on one of the major themes of representative democracy.
On one side are folks who say the representatives are responsible to the people and should vote along what the people say/want. On the other are those who say that the representatives are under no such obligation and may act as they see fit.
That they act as "proxies" for the people is a fairly debatable concept. If you're intersted read "How Democratic is the American Constitution" by Robert Dahl (it's short).
From all of my time running out in the field as a medic for protests, as well as following some of the political stuff I do, I'm really not a fan of the red cross. In theory, the red cross is an awesome idea, and a great group. In practice... They tend to fall flat. If you want, I can get into specifics, but just be aware if you are truly trying to make a difference, places like the salvation army, food not bombs, etc. tend to have a much higher % of each $ going to the people in need. If memory serves, salvation army has 90% of each dollar going to help people, red cross has 70%. They don't need better marketing, they need to get alot of their administrative side under control (lots of red cross higher ups do EXTREMELY well financially). Not saying the red cross is bad, just be aware depending on what you are trying to do, other charities might be more effective.
Oooo, thanks for the heads up! My mom has actually become pretty heavily involved in the Red Cross (she carries the fire beeper from time to time). Along the same lines as you said, an enormous amount of money was embezzled from her branch by a secretary. This money was taken in the chaos that was Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
I'll have to look into the Salvation Army instead. Or I got a phone call from the local aqarium about helping out with some lobster reserach (being a grunt, more or less, but helping out all the same). I think they are trying to reserach how to best grow lobsters in an aquaculture setting, to help not collapse the lobster fisheries. It sounds interesting. And very important. Although, aquaculture is only as good as the regulations put on fishing are enforced.
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I couldn't agree more with this statement.
You know, I honestly don't believe in democracy via popular sovereignity, as in, majority rule. The problem is that the majority have no idea what they *need* and not just what they *want*. Everyone want's a toilet made out of solid gold, but that does not mean that's in the People's best interest. Okay.. maybe I'm the only one who wants that.
Rather, I feel a Representative Democracy is the best way to provide the People what they need. Supposedly the USA is such a democracy, but I vehemently disagree. The modern media and inclincation for politicians to make a career out of being in office has turned them into mere proxies for the People, requiring that they act in accord to popular opinion otherwise they get booted out of office.
Anyway, I'm really just rambling for no reason. I just haven't talked to you in a while ;)
Hope you get to feeling better!
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the piano is so much fun. i realized last night that i'm still way off to having the coordination to play two different rhythms simultaneously (one on each hand) -- i was trying to play the Dr. Who theme ;)
Reply
You're actually touching on one of the major themes of representative democracy.
On one side are folks who say the representatives are responsible to the people and should vote along what the people say/want. On the other are those who say that the representatives are under no such obligation and may act as they see fit.
That they act as "proxies" for the people is a fairly debatable concept. If you're intersted read "How Democratic is the American Constitution" by Robert Dahl (it's short).
Reply
If you want, I can get into specifics, but just be aware if you are truly trying to make a difference, places like the salvation army, food not bombs, etc. tend to have a much higher % of each $ going to the people in need. If memory serves, salvation army has 90% of each dollar going to help people, red cross has 70%. They don't need better marketing, they need to get alot of their administrative side under control (lots of red cross higher ups do EXTREMELY well financially).
Not saying the red cross is bad, just be aware depending on what you are trying to do, other charities might be more effective.
Reply
I'll have to look into the Salvation Army instead. Or I got a phone call from the local aqarium about helping out with some lobster reserach (being a grunt, more or less, but helping out all the same). I think they are trying to reserach how to best grow lobsters in an aquaculture setting, to help not collapse the lobster fisheries. It sounds interesting. And very important. Although, aquaculture is only as good as the regulations put on fishing are enforced.
Reply
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/3277.htm
Salvation Army is not listed because religious organizations are exempt from filing Form 990, which is needed for evaluation by CN.
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