Politics

I guess this is a question stirring up recently. I'm leaning towards a yes actually, but as I have stated in a previous thread, my ideal scientocracy would be one that uses statistics rather than the voting system. The fact of the matter is that, and I might be a little biased in saying this because I do consider myself a scientist, I do believe that we are living in a scientocracy, however, I do not believe that we are using statistics to the ideal extent. In this video, Improving Democracy- Fast Economic Growth- Scientocracy, Dr. Carlos Sabillon lobbies Scientocracy as the answer to economic disaster, and he's a very open vocalist about it as well (talking about it …

This is a prescription that doctors hand out regardless of civil standing, however, sending them to different facilities where they are deliberately separated from those who are similar depending on the quantitative method of measuring vice. If the significance level of vice is high, then separate them in correlation with the significance. Significance is determined by priority. Things that are low priority get further separated until they integrate or achieve equilibrium (in significance). This method will maximize our knowledge. Especially if it was integrated globally (best simultaneously). But you can test it individually and amongst peers prematurely. I mig…

I believe something one individual can do to make a difference is to have an ethical business and create good jobs. Anyone have any silver bullets or even a good lead one. Thanks

Why did the Russians choose Sochi as the location for the Winter Olympics? Judging by two main criteria, their choice is rather poor: Climate Russia is known for its harsh winters. They have never hosted a winter olympics ever, so you'd assume they have all of Russia to choose from. And yet they choose a sub-tropical humid location, which has a warmer climate than any previous winter olympics, ever. It is also one of the most southern locations in all of Russia. Political Sochi's Olympic park is located merely 4-5 km from the border with Georgia (Google maps), with whom the Russians have fought a short war as recently as 2008. It is also located merely a couple…

Well, I didn't think it would be possible to despise Boris Johnson any more than I already did, and then he goes and says this: The IQ statistics are fact but we ought to be helping all, irrespective of intellectual ability, to mesh into society by contributing to the human endaevour in a role to which they are suited and contented. People ought not be disrespected just because they score in the lower range of an IQ test. Boardroom greed leads to the inefficient allocation of resources and the over-resourcing of some at the expense of others. Greed leads to inequality and numerous academic studies have shown that socioeconomic inequality is a driving f…

This is a slightly longer read, but very clear, collected, and frankly concise given all that it covers. Sharing it here for my nerdy and curious friends. http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/12/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-economy-in-2012-in-34-charts/266467/ A few key take-aways for me: We don't really have a deficit problem right now. We're simply not taking in as much payroll tax revenue since so many people are out of work, and this decrease in revenue has come at the same time that we're paying more outgoing expenditures to help those unemployed with benefits, medicaid, and food. In short, the denominator has shrunk at the same time the nume…

Topic: "Can collective security work?" Collective security is the cooperation of several countries in an alliance to strengthen the security of each. I need your opinions whether it is "yes" or "no"..

I have read several times in this forum that ACA is a Republican health care plan. That Republicans encouraged Democrats to push for ACA at the federal level and then backed out. In effect, tricking the Democratic Party into promoting ACA alone. Some go so far as to suggest that Republicans forced Democrats to vote for ACA. As I am sure you are aware, I believe all of the above is silly scapegoating. ACA is a Democratic party plan that all Democrats voted for and no Republicans voted for. Yes they may have had to bend ACA to meet the needs of their own Senate coalition but not to meet the needs or Republicans. It is obvious that Democrats did not need Republican…

To paraphrase Isaiah from the Bible Will there ever come a day when nations will turn their swords into ploughshares? How much of human emotional inventory is expressed as hate and discord? And will Reason eventually triumph? Please express your thoughts on this.

"Can Sweatshops and Cheap Labour Benefit the Pooor?" I'm on the YES side.. I need some ideas how to defend this Also, can youo please post the links where you get your ideas.. THANKS!!

What are your thoughts on Mayor Rob Ford's crack cocaine scandal in Toronto Canada ? He has admitted smoking crack but hasn't been charged for any crime. City council has stripped him of his mayoral powers and appointed an unelected mayor. Has democracy and the will of the people been usurped ? Should a new election have been called instead ? With a high probability of Ford being re-elected due to his popular policies.

Imagine that we could feel good into the 100's or possibly longer. Imagine how good this would be for society if the elders felt good enough to work using the knowledge and experience that they have. And if all nations agree, then no nation will become relatively weaker. Please criticize constructively.

Though culture determines one nation from the next, i.e; Religion, Art, History, Cuisine, Habits etc. Would it not also be fair to catagorize nations by their language?? such that every english speaking country is insolubly english. The language you think in is also the language in which your thoughts will manifest themselves, is it not then the language barrier that distinguishes differences between nations?? This means that your ability to communicate would come before your beliefs because with that barrier in place, there is no method inplace for distinguishing the difference. Two nations cannot unite over a belief which they connot express to one another. …

What does liberty mean to you? Our world has never held a universal definition of the Word liberty and patriots everywhere are much in want of one once more again. What is your best and most concise definition of liberty? ron

Quite apart from the sometimes blatant, sometimes subtle spin of media presenters, how do we know that the facts being sold to us as truth, are in fact true? The only way to know for sure would be to visit the areas in question and see for oneself - but this, of course, is not feasible. Like it or no, we are dependent on news agencies to provide us with an accurate account of current affairs. Here is some advice provided by the BBC on how to verify images that are purported to reflect major world events: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-24956762

Looks like the architecture for the website is crap, not just glitches of code. Will be some time to iron it out, especially miscalculations of premiums, etc. Should this delay the individual mandate? I'm thinking it probably should, we do have to file taxes and do other things without a website, but not sure how practical it is to do this over the phone. Problem is that without the mandate, you don't get the healthy young people to contribute. I'm thinking we may see a "compromise" slip into the budget deals to delay the mandate, but not at the threat of a shutdown. Republicans fighting it tooth and nail doesn't help. The only hope will be to see how well it pl…

Do you think the country is, evil (limit your bashing)? Not your average citizen of course, but the overall country itself. Many countries (especially in the middle-east) have been severely destabilised by strings of invasions, I recently read where Afghanistan refugees were "abused" in Iran (no specific information), which is targeted by a lot of human rights group, the refugees, is the product of the string of military invasions by the US, the real evil here, embedded in the masses of lies to justify the invasion and massacre of another country. The business of the US, I find interesting how their tricks have backfired on them (now deep in the debt cycle to China etc…

My question is what percentage of the population of Iran supports this? It seems than when the US is involved in nuclear negotiations with Iran, the US diplomats would ask their Iranian counterparts about this. In theory, extremists would gladly destroy entire "infidel" cities to make their point. True believers in Islam would rationalize that holy war should continue nonstop until the entire world is converted to Islam. Even Iran's supreme leader would believe this IF he is a TRUE believer in Islam. According to Islam it is ok to lie to infidels, which includes nuclear inspectors.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/06/nsa-phone-records-verizon-court-order This has been suspected for a long time, but never proved. The Supreme Court had previously ruled against plaintiffs who argued they had been subject to warrantless wiretapping on the grounds that they could not prove any such wiretapping exists; hopefully, this will change that. What also disturbs me is that the request was made by the FBI but the data is to be delivered to the NSA. Does the FBI believe there is some legitimate law enforcement purpose in collecting this much data? What else do they think they can collect?

direction and future? i think good.

south east asian reaction to reform? thoughts.

Quoting this for easier access rather than linking to the thread it was in, where it was OT Good news! The ACA hasn't raped this person's future. In fact, because Ashley makes so little, she will be eligible for the expanded medicaid. http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2013/10/good-news-obamacare-raped-future-26-year-old/70397/ Even if she chose to go with the insurance, it would not actually cost her $319 a month, because this little story ignores the tax credits you get. And, of course, all that assumes her job won't be providing her with health care. How to spot a fake Obamacare horror story http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/10/31/2868631/ess…

When congressman Cruz was filibustering in congress to try to stop Obamacare, why didn't he get into the economic impacts of it? He had plenty of time to go into great detail WHY Obamacare will bankrupt the US. Here is my new congressional proposal. Whenever congress reaches a stalemate about the budget or similar issues, both sides should bring in their best economists and have the economists debate the issue. The debate will be moderated by a panel of economic EXPERTS. Then the winner of the debate gets the green light.

We're in a predicament. We are broke, we are unemployed or at risk of losing our jobs, and we are incapable of investing a large amount of money to get even richer. Most of us... all the people I know at least, are in debt. The people collecting our debt don't get the "denied" feature of taking out the money if it's not there. Our debt literally requires to be paid and will be paid even if the money is not there. Not only that, but the bank (my bank) charges a thirty five dollar overdraft fee for every overdraft. I saw a recent video about the wealth distribution. They said that they showed the actual distribution of wealth (which made me tear up), but I don't…

It can be said that in 2010 the Tea Party took the mid-elections. The question one asks is what role will they play in our next mid elect. To the dismay of our progressive and liberal friends at this site. I see a surge coming this next year. In fact I see a very big increase in tea party politicians. While it may not be prevalent within the Washington/Beltway view. Local and state politicians will increase significantly. This will happen even in states which you would not think it would occur. States like California, New York, Illinois. With a country that has many undecided points for our future. It is not a coincidence that we have fear of both the right and the le…