George M. Middius[_4_]
April 26th 09, 11:17 PM
Is there any value in trend-watching? Sometimes. <woof!> Herewith a short
list of some contentious issues and how the Witlessmongrels of the world
view them.
1. Actively combat global warming: Should we or shouldn't we?
If we do nothing and it goes away on its own, we'll have saved
postponed inevitable technological progress for the sake of paying a
little less in taxes.
If we do nothing and it gets worse, the planet will become less
habitable. Entire areas of land will be swallowed by rising oceans,
entire ecosystems will be wiped out, and natural resources will
become more difficult to obtain.
Witlessmongrel says: Do nothing.
2. Tear down legal barriers to equality for all citizens: Should we or
shouldn't we?
If we do nothing (i.e. maintain discriminatory laws), the issues
will be settled in court cases, at considerable expense and with
considerable societal anguish. History shows that discriminatory
laws are all overturned eventually, so this course postpones the
inevitable at greater economic and social cost.
If we fully open the doorway to equality, programs like Affirmative
Action will become unnecessary, and society will take several
steps toward actual equality.
Witlessmongrel says: Help! The gays want to get married!
3. Legislate the content of consumer magazines: Should we or shouldn't we?
If we don't enact laws that force publishers to hew to imaginary
standards of "objectivity", entrepreneurs will continue to sell
stuff that scares Witlessmongrel.
If we do enact such laws, magazines will becomes vessels of "truth"
and the entire marketing industry will become moribund.
Witlessmongrel says: Make 'em do "tests" for me.
4. Use the power of the federal government to create a universal health-
care system that is not funded by employers: Should we or shouldn't we?
If we don't federalize the system at least partially, the number of
uninsured will rise and fall with the economy as a whole. Effects of
having no insurance include reliance on emergency rooms as primary
care providers, inadequate diagnoses of illness in children, and
gross disparities in fees for service.
If we do move forward, the cost to some people will go up because
employer subsidies will shrink or disappear. Effects of having
universal access to the heatlh care system are a greater number of
early diagnoses, a uniform system of triage and coverage, and lower
costs across the board, albeit fully borne by consumers.
Witlessmongrel says: If it costs me more, I'm agin it.
list of some contentious issues and how the Witlessmongrels of the world
view them.
1. Actively combat global warming: Should we or shouldn't we?
If we do nothing and it goes away on its own, we'll have saved
postponed inevitable technological progress for the sake of paying a
little less in taxes.
If we do nothing and it gets worse, the planet will become less
habitable. Entire areas of land will be swallowed by rising oceans,
entire ecosystems will be wiped out, and natural resources will
become more difficult to obtain.
Witlessmongrel says: Do nothing.
2. Tear down legal barriers to equality for all citizens: Should we or
shouldn't we?
If we do nothing (i.e. maintain discriminatory laws), the issues
will be settled in court cases, at considerable expense and with
considerable societal anguish. History shows that discriminatory
laws are all overturned eventually, so this course postpones the
inevitable at greater economic and social cost.
If we fully open the doorway to equality, programs like Affirmative
Action will become unnecessary, and society will take several
steps toward actual equality.
Witlessmongrel says: Help! The gays want to get married!
3. Legislate the content of consumer magazines: Should we or shouldn't we?
If we don't enact laws that force publishers to hew to imaginary
standards of "objectivity", entrepreneurs will continue to sell
stuff that scares Witlessmongrel.
If we do enact such laws, magazines will becomes vessels of "truth"
and the entire marketing industry will become moribund.
Witlessmongrel says: Make 'em do "tests" for me.
4. Use the power of the federal government to create a universal health-
care system that is not funded by employers: Should we or shouldn't we?
If we don't federalize the system at least partially, the number of
uninsured will rise and fall with the economy as a whole. Effects of
having no insurance include reliance on emergency rooms as primary
care providers, inadequate diagnoses of illness in children, and
gross disparities in fees for service.
If we do move forward, the cost to some people will go up because
employer subsidies will shrink or disappear. Effects of having
universal access to the heatlh care system are a greater number of
early diagnoses, a uniform system of triage and coverage, and lower
costs across the board, albeit fully borne by consumers.
Witlessmongrel says: If it costs me more, I'm agin it.