Professor
Tender vittles  Posts: 29 Registered: 1/19/2006 Offline
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8/17/2007 at 14:57 |
It may be my imagination, but I've noticed that the number of political links being posted to the swarm seems to have been increasing recently. The result of said link's posting tends to be, in the grand tradition of Linkswarm since well before my time, the bestowing of the asscrown upon either the linked article's author or the article's subject.
But that's it.
I realize that the comment area for a link is better suited to venting a temporary frustration than for solving the world's problems. I also believe, having read many of these comments, that a fair number of Swarmers have keen and active minds that damn well COULD work on some of the world's problems if said minds were put to the task.
And that's the reason that I placed this thread under the forum of "Serious Shit." I'd like to see if my belief in the Swarm is accurately placed.
Here's what I'd like this thread to entail:
1. Point out a SPECIFIC problem you believe that America faces, or will soon face. (Try to avoid topics that have already been talked to death - presidential impeachment, troop withdrawal, etc. - unless you have a previously unheard of solution. If you have nothing new to contribute, please contribute nothing.)
2. Grace us with a plan that reduces or eliminates that problem. Be as general or specific as you wish. Feel free to leave portions of your plan open for other Swarmers to fill. (And if another Swarmer DOES comment, please be helpful. Rip a plan to shreds if you want, but only if you have a better idea to replace the original.)
3. Tell us what, if anything, you can do in your current situation to see that plan through -- even if it is as little as writing a problem/solution letter to your senator. (I realize that #3 will scare off a few people from writing in this thread, but I want this thread to actually have a chance at making a difference in RL. "Somebody should do something" is one of the most useless phrases in the English language.)
So...
Who's up to the challenge?
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jwalker
Token Discordian   SSHOLEPosts: 945 Registered: 8/6/2005 Offline
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8/17/2007 at 15:17 |
Good idea. We lack serious solutions. Somebody should do something.
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To the dog who has money, men say "My Lord Dog". |
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Professor
Tender vittles Posts: 29 Registered: 1/19/2006 Offline
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8/17/2007 at 16:28 |
jwalker: Good idea. We lack serious solutions. Somebody should do something.
Thank you, jwalker, for this most stellar of starts to the thread. |
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LORDKAHUNA
Don't make me fuk your moustache  SSHOLEPosts: 1609 Registered: 8/5/2003 Offline
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8/22/2007 at 13:52 |
This thread deserves a bump, it's always a worthwhile effort to discuss positive change.
I plan on putting something in here, I do a good job at bitching but rarely dream up the mechanics of making shit better.
C'mon swarmers, I'd hate to have jwalker's smarmy shithat response be the only thing here.
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the rice I had yesterday came out practically verbatim |
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jwalker
Token Discordian SSHOLEPosts: 945 Registered: 8/6/2005 Offline
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8/22/2007 at 15:03 |
Fine then...
Do away with the electoral college, and give everyone a direct vote on everything, using the internet.
I picture a public form, where all proposed legislation is required (for local, state, and federal alike) to be posted online, to be followed by enlightened (mostly) discussion, and online voting on all issues. This will ring the death knell to the notion that the people are stupider than our politicians.
On 2007-08-22 at 11:16:47, jwalker craps monkey baby
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To the dog who has money, men say "My Lord Dog". |
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sikki_nixx
Don't be vague. Ask for cream.  SSHOLEPosts: 39 Registered: 4/5/2007 Offline
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8/22/2007 at 16:52 |
a.) end the two party monopoly by abolishing all campaign contributions, personal war chests, and advertising. this eliminates special interest groups and big business lobbying.
b.) each candidates official stance on all issues as well as plans for policy change are posted on a single tax funded website. this ends the need for travel to debates which levels the playing field down to ideas instead of bank accounts and charisma.
c.) electoral colleges=DED
d.) seniors 60+ not allowed to vote as they tend to fuck thinking america. |
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jwalker
Token Discordian SSHOLEPosts: 945 Registered: 8/6/2005 Offline
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8/28/2007 at 05:09 |
this thread is doomed :|
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To the dog who has money, men say "My Lord Dog". |
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Steel
If you want to keep your tongue, don't lick me in the Winter!  SSHOLEPosts: 486 Registered: 10/14/2004 Offline
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8/28/2007 at 12:34 |
Maybe this will sound dumb... and I am certainly not the most educated on the subject, but lets talk about a huge problem.
Personal Debt.
I realize this is a worldwide issue, but lets talk only about North America. I think this is a huge, because most of us feel it and 25% of the people that don't are probably the ones fucking little people over.
We've all seen the links talking about how the banks work, that Maxed Out flick about Credit Card companies and PayDay loan fuckhats, but I think maybe some of us here live beyond our means? I know I used to...
I'm sure there are huge things out there that could be done to solve these huge problems, but I think the best thing that I can do is change my own perseption, fix my own situation and hopefully people will see that as I become more financially sound, those around me will see me get happier, less stressed and will want to maybe do this themselves.
Yes maybe to some this sounds really really gay "Hey look at me, I'm trying to manage my money, clip coupons and pay attention to deals. I've picked up a bookshelf of the side of the road and sold it for $15 online..."
I'm trying something... I'm sure many of you Americans have heard of this already? but its called the Total Money Makeover... Its Dave Ramsey's little plan.. haha I had read a bit about it, thought about buying his book, but pulled my first frugal move in ages and got it from the library...anyways
I'm starting to think that after some tough times, even low and middle class can start to get out from under debt's thumb... What would happen if we could slowly start getting back to "Cash on the Barrel"?? The world would start to change... These rich fucks in charge of all the debt would squirm and cry...
OK then... Lets talk!
On 2007-08-28 at 07:35:15, Steel craps monkey baby |
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Professor
Tender vittles Posts: 29 Registered: 1/19/2006 Offline
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8/29/2007 at 12:35 |
Steel: Maybe this will sound dumb... and I am certainly not the most educated on the subject, but lets talk about a huge problem.
Personal Debt.
I realize this is a worldwide issue, but lets talk only about North America. I think this is a huge, because most of us feel it and 25% of the people that don't are probably the ones fucking little people over.
We've all seen the links talking about how the banks work, that Maxed Out flick about Credit Card companies and PayDay loan fuckhats, but I think maybe some of us here live beyond our means? I know I used to...
I'm sure there are huge things out there that could be done to solve these huge problems, but I think the best thing that I can do is change my own perseption, fix my own situation and hopefully people will see that as I become more financially sound, those around me will see me get happier, less stressed and will want to maybe do this themselves.
Yes maybe to some this sounds really really gay "Hey look at me, I'm trying to manage my money, clip coupons and pay attention to deals. I've picked up a bookshelf of the side of the road and sold it for $15 online..."
I'm trying something... I'm sure many of you Americans have heard of this already? but its called the Total Money Makeover... Its Dave Ramsey's little plan.. haha I had read a bit about it, thought about buying his book, but pulled my first frugal move in ages and got it from the library...anyways
I'm starting to think that after some tough times, even low and middle class can start to get out from under debt's thumb... What would happen if we could slowly start getting back to "Cash on the Barrel"?? The world would start to change... These rich fucks in charge of all the debt would squirm and cry...
OK then... Lets talk!
On 2007-08-28 at 07:35:15, Steel craps monkey baby
This is a fine idea, Steel, and I applaud your effort. The nice thing about your actions and thought process is that even if your passive leadership (leading by example) does not affect anyone else, you are still going to come out of this the better for having gone through it. Well done, sir.
I had not thought of personal debt as being anything but that - personal - so this is a new area of thought for me. Do you have any thoughts on how our nation as a whole would be altered if/once the majority of our fellow citizens got their debt under control?
I've had two general sociological thoughts come to mind along that line.
Possibility One: Our generation might become more like "The Greatest Generation" in values and determinations.
Possibility Two: Citizens in general would be less neurotic since they would not be under constant pressure to pay off the interest on their debt. They might be able to have less jobs and spend more time in leisure, or even (gasp!) raising their kids, which would in turn produce a better generation to follow us.
I'm liking this idea, Steel. May it spread like.... well, okay, I won't go there since this is a serious thread. |
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