What current political issue has you worried and why?

[Vonwert]

Re: What current political issue has you worried and why?

I am worried about Japan's leader trying to change the Pacifist constitution to allow for more troop deploment overseas. And the rush to teach "patriotism" in schools.

Now that seems all fine and dandy, but it can lead back to WWII if their not careful, or an U.S. style mentality to other countries.

Also Russia's inward spiral from Democracy to a Soviet Style government, with more secret police and censorship of information.

Then there is the oil companies overly powering grip over money resources. Just think if they decide that they should branch into military indevores, causing new wars. And yet no one seems to care to do anything about the high prices of oil.

Then there is the sickening smell of corruption that spews out of our government each day. I wish I was ingorant to the whole thing. It would make watching the news so much better.

[Wavelength]

Re: What current political issue has you worried and why?

Quasi-worldwide, and especially US, dependence on oil as the main source of power to "make the world go round" is really disturbing. I'm not too worried about global warming (I don't deny that it's happening, but I don't think it will affect humans much)... I AM worried about urban air pollution, political crises that result from oil lust, and simple cost.

Those who say that the US needs to set an example are absolutely right. We need more nuclear power, we need more solar and wind power, we need better energy conservation, and we need to pour more money and effort into making microwave, geothermal, or fusion power into a reality. Whether developing countries like India and China will follow that example is an unresolved concern--but the cheaper and more reliable we make that technology, the more likely it's going to be for rapidly-developing nations to jump on the bandwagon.

I'm VERY worried about the US "illegal immigration" hype. People are actually STUPID enough to think that building a giant ****ing fence is going to solve all of our problems. The whole attitude toward immigrants is unnerving, partially because it's going to let other countries pass us in culture, economy, and technology--but just as much because it makes us a lightning rod for terrorism.

At the same time, building a "giant fence" or taking slightly less ludicrous measures to try and keep certain races out of power will backfire by making people feel safer when they're really at higher risk. I'm not even going to touch the moral aspects of this debate--that we're all really immigrants and that everyone deserves a chance to come to America (or any other first world nation) and try to make a good life--but from a practical standpoint, strict immigration laws in a controlled society is just a stupid idea.

I HATE how politicians can make 90% of people believe lies and quarter-truths so easily via mass media (and I obviously hate the related apathy)... however, that actually doesn't have me so worried. The fact that so many citizens can live a good life without having to worry about politics and rebellion means that a lot of things are going right for them in the world (yes, that can end abruptly with cataclysmic events, and it's possible we won't be ready... but in itself, it's a good sign). And the ability of politicians and such to spread the lies so easily is an inevitable result of superb communication technology and a bit of self-interest--both of which I like to see in the world.

I'd like to pose a question to everyone: do you think any countries are going to surpass the USA culturally, economically, militarily, or technologically in the next 50 years? Which ones, and in which ways? Are you afraid of this happening? Or maybe you're indifferent to it, inspired by it, or simply loving it?

[altoecko]

Re: What current political issue has you worried and why?

Economically I could very easyily see China surpassing us. Culturally I think our biggest contender is Great Britain and they're not going to pass us anytime soon. Military we have the most force, hands down. Our army is just made for quick runs, not long bouts, so we should be a bit more careful about picking our fights.

I could care less if they pass us, as long as they don't try and take our culture away. Globalization is one of the most logical choices I can think of.

[Sejon]

Re: What current political issue has you worried and why?

I wouldn't be surprised if the European Union eventually synthesises into a single super-state and surpasses just about everyone by becoming the economic hub of the world.

[The Toecutter]

Re: What current political issue has you worried and why?

The only thing I really fear is the impending oil wars. Check back in a few years to see how the next election goes. Then we'll know if all the crap that the Bush Administration put on us will wash out or cement its hold.

I'd also like to not spend billions of dollars on Iraq. I know the problem is with extreme radicals and 99% of the people in the middle east are just regular joes but sometime I feel that the best option is to drop a nuke and see what survives. Of course the same could be said about D.C.

Putin's a little scary with his cadre of KGB spooks, but I don't think he's got the strength of the old Soviet Union. He did manage to irradiate that spy though. That's pretty crazy when you think about it. An assasination out in the open and he basically just shrugs and goes, "Well, what you gonna do?"

In the end I think if we just delt with all our domestic issues the foreign ones get exponetially less scary.

Whoa dude. I'm in agreement with SHFC.

Then there is the oil companies overly powering grip over money resources. Just think if they decide that they should branch into military indevores, causing new wars. And yet no one seems to care to do anything about the high prices of oil.

The oil companies have branched into military endeavours and have caused new wars.

The high price of oil is due to oil production having already peaked. Too much demand, not enough supply. Use of alternative fuels would dramatically reduce oil consumption and price, but our 'leaders' absolutely will not stand for us to reduce our oil consumption. Too much money made in it, and we the people get to pay for all the oil wars...

I'm VERY worried about the US "illegal immigration" hype. People are actually STUPID enough to think that building a giant ****ing fence is going to solve all of our problems. The whole attitude toward immigrants is unnerving, partially because it's going to let other countries pass us in culture, economy, and technology--but just as much because it makes us a lightning rod for terrorism.

Funny thing, earlier this year, our government has now required approval from the Department of Homeland Security to issue passports to every person who wants one.

Just as there is now a 'do not fly list', there is now basically a 'can not leave list'. Even more disturbing, a bill was recently passed that requires Homeland Security approval for each American citizen to get a job, effective 2009, so those on the 'do not fly list' and 'do not leave list' will then be on a 'can not hire list'.

Think about this for a minute.

Our government wants to put up a huge fence to keep people from leaving, let large companies ship in illegal immigrants to work for slave wages while millions of Americans are seeking jobs, and then wants to merge the U.S., Mexico, and Canada into one giant economic state effectively nullifying all civil liberties and restrictions of government written into the constitutions of these nations?

The people of all three countries don't want this, but the governments and major businesses within these countries seem very enthusiastic about it.

I'd like to pose a question to everyone: do you think any countries are going to surpass the USA culturally, economically, militarily, or technologically in the next 50 years? Which ones, and in which ways? Are you afraid of this happening? Or maybe you're indifferent to it, inspired by it, or simply loving it?

Economically or militarily, probably not. Culturally, pretty much every country is going downhill at different rates; a conflict of interest exists between those who have wealth power and those who don't; those who have it will walk over anyone's rights and kill any number of people to keep it. From a civil liberties standpoint, the U.S. will probably look a lot like Mexico, China, or the former USSR in 10 years, if not sooner. Culturally, it is pretty much inevitable that the 1st world nations will push their people into a junk culture society, the type of culture depicted in films like Blade Runner and novels like Neuromancer. We're already half way there as it is. Devoid of many conventional means to express oneself, many people now express themselves through buying advertised products. One of the only real life choices many Americans have all day is to drive to a fast food place on their lunch break and grunt at a box so that someone can microwave them an overpriced ball of fat, chemicals, and grease. People often define themselves and others by what they buy, what they own, and what they'd like to have, and not who they are... On TV, it's always about the next generation of useless electronic bullcrap that some engineers were paid pennies on the dollar to design, and people lap it up, since it's so hard to express themselves with all the rigourous government and workplace restrictions upon their lifestyle choices.

Technologically, at least in the field of renewable energy, even 3rd world ****holes are surpassing us left and right. Iran will soon have mass market electric cars and large scale implementation of solar and nuclear power(assuming we don't attack them beforehand), while the first world governments do all they can to suppress these things. Afghanistan and other middle east countries along with much of South America would have large scale use of industrial hemp to replace some oil usage, if the U.S. didn't keep expending resources to defoliate all the major farming operations...



My fear is that the world will continue to regress towards the sort of dystopias depicted in novels by Sterling, Stephenson, and Gibson. This, among other more pressing reasons, has helped inspire me to be politically active to whatever degree I can.

[IRC]

Re: What current political issue has you worried and why?

Whoa dude. I'm in agreement with SHFC.

Don't mind me. I just want bask in the moment.

[Red Dragon]

Re: What current political issue has you worried and why?

Yes, let's nuke everyone and let the cockroaches to rule the world.

[IRC]

Re: What current political issue has you worried and why?

No, that's stupid. Cockroaches fight amongst themselves too much to rule the world. They'ed only end up building tiny little nuclear missles and blow themselves up. Their disillusioned youthes would problem say nuke everyone and let the amoeba rule the world.

At least the amoeba would never nuke everyone. They haven't got the backbone for it.