Comments | flounderphil: (без темы)

flounderphil

(Untitled)

Jan 10, 2008 09:29

An update on my political thoughts ( Read more... )

Comments 6

kbadr January 10 2008, 16:18:26 UTC

a) Comparing the world power that is America right now to "America 500 years ago" is silly.

b) The best idea I've heard was that no matter who wins the Dem. nomination, if they win the election they should select Bill Clinton for Secretary of State, in an attempt to gain back the respect of the rest of the world. A lot of the world loves that man.

flounderphil January 10 2008, 17:57:14 UTC

I see nothing silly about looking at the general moral character of our country and declaring that it's in a pretty sad state, compared to the past. It seems to me that no matter what our status is in the world arena, it's dangerous that most people in this country are so self-absorbed.

kbadr January 10 2008, 18:22:03 UTC

Comparing it to the past is fine. 500 years is the part that seems a little strange to me. 500 years ago we weren't even a collection of colonies, let alone a country.

Of course, the Iroquois Nation existed and our early laws and structure were inspired by that, so maybe it's valid.

flounderphil January 10 2008, 18:29:25 UTC

That's what I mean, it seems to me that the Iroquois did a better job as a government of protecting their people's rights, and fulfilling their needs. It seems to me that as modern America grew in size and scope our government has minimized exactly what is important and spread its focus thin across a broad range of topics. Yes, we should be involved in world affairs, but we should be taking care of our own first in my eyes. Our healthcare, education, veterans affairs, welfare programs, college funding, etc are all in a sad state. At least the Iroquois knew how to properly educate their children, properly care for their ill, and properly feed the hungry. My whole point being that I'm not a libertarian because I believe the strongest form of government is that tribal form, not a national one. I think that a government so large is inherently flawed, simply by being so large and having so many interests to handle ( ... )

zalezarem January 12 2008, 13:56:40 UTC

According to the Pronoia book, all those things are actually in statistical decline, except for gluttony.

But I still see your point. Just remember it's easy to be cynical, and much harder to be a positive thinker.

flounderphil January 12 2008, 15:05:32 UTC

I'm not cynical. I see plenty of goodness in the world. Just never directly in front of me. haha.