http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-seven-billionth-baby-20111031,0,455314.story
Sometime tomorrow, the birth of a baby will herald the expansion of our human race to 7 billion individuals. This is cause for celebration, but also for some serious thought on the state of our society and on what we can do here in the US to better it.
It should be noted that the latest 1 billion inhabitants of Earth have been added in little more than a decade, and most growth projections show a continuing steep population expansion until around 2045, when we should top out at near 9 billion. Most of this growth will be concentrated in the developing world, including sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, areas where poverty rates are constantly high and average lifespan is much shorter than the global mean. The addition of such a large mass of people is sure to exacerbate existing problems of poverty, starvation, and armed conflict, which already are rampant. Granted, the population growth comes with improving medical care and better education in these areas, but it remains to be seen whether such advances can keep up with the rapid population growth.
The US, under financial pressure from the recent economic crisis, may be tempted to cut aid programs to developing nations. In my opinion, such a move would be foolhardy. First of all, millions of people throughout the globe rely on US aid for survival, and withdrawal of such aid would result in many deaths and much more human suffering. Second, however, is that the aid we pour into other countries actually reciprocates and helps our economy by developing new lucrative markets for US exports. As a country develops, increasing prosperity leads to increasing demand for goods, which is satisfied in part through foreign imports. By investing in the economies of tomorrow, the US secures new economic ties that will pay dividends down the road. Finally, the US gains trust, influence, and good-will through its foreign aid, all of which are important for retaining our position as a world leader. If we withhold support for those that need it, we will eventually find ourselves isolated in the globalizing world economy and society.
30.10.11
16.10.11
QOTW #3
Report Card for President Barack Obama:
Health Care: A
Health Care overhaul was much needed, provides a necessary safety net for uninsured Americans.
Economy: C
Though he has pushed through emergency legislation, including bailouts, that has had positive impacts on the economy, his efforts, often hamstrung by Congressional gridlock, have not been timely or powerful enough to significantly revive the economy.
War on Terror: D
This grade is not directed at the way he has handled the wars, which has been generally satisfactory, rather at the fact that we are still AT war. Call me a hippie, but we have to get out ASAP.
Reelection: C
He's looking to be in trouble if he doesn't push through significant and popular legislation in the run up to the election.
Health Care: A
Health Care overhaul was much needed, provides a necessary safety net for uninsured Americans.
Economy: C
Though he has pushed through emergency legislation, including bailouts, that has had positive impacts on the economy, his efforts, often hamstrung by Congressional gridlock, have not been timely or powerful enough to significantly revive the economy.
War on Terror: D
This grade is not directed at the way he has handled the wars, which has been generally satisfactory, rather at the fact that we are still AT war. Call me a hippie, but we have to get out ASAP.
Reelection: C
He's looking to be in trouble if he doesn't push through significant and popular legislation in the run up to the election.
Current Event #3: Rising Cain
Recent polls show Herman Cain gaining popularity as the Republican primary approaches. His rise has been buoyed by solid debate performances and his 9-9-9 plan for economic recovery, and now seems to be on a course that will soon surpass front-runner Mitt Romney's 22% poll ratings.
It must be remembered that Cain is only the latest candidate to enjoy a rapid rise; Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry have enjoyed such surges before, only to fade in popularity in the course of a few weeks. It remains to be seen whether Cain will suffer this fate or if his claim to popularity is more durable.
I, for one, am not a fan of Cain's policies. I find that his proposals for gutting the tax code and instituting his 9% income, 9% sales, and 9% business tax plan to be deceptively simple and ill-advised. The new tax code would lower taxes on top tax brackets, while actually raising taxes for working and lower middle class citizens. For all his talk of the poor needing to pull themselves up by the bootstraps, Cain seems intent on creating yet another obstacle in their path.
His stances, or lack-there-of, on foreign policy are equally troubling. Joking about not being able to name the president of such "small and insignificant states" as Uzbekistan is indeed humorous and personable, but should not be the conduct of a man who seeks the most powerful office of a country with many complicated interests abroad.
I believe that Cain's popularity will begin to fade as Americans begin to appreciate the less than savory implications of Cain's 9-9-9 plan and his lack of a foreign policy strategy becomes more apparent. I still see Mitt Romney eventually securing the Republican nomination, with his steady poll ratings, appeal with moderates, and comprehensive 59 point economic plan.
"Rising Cain." The Economist [London] 15 Oct. 2011: 35-36. Print.
It must be remembered that Cain is only the latest candidate to enjoy a rapid rise; Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry have enjoyed such surges before, only to fade in popularity in the course of a few weeks. It remains to be seen whether Cain will suffer this fate or if his claim to popularity is more durable.
I, for one, am not a fan of Cain's policies. I find that his proposals for gutting the tax code and instituting his 9% income, 9% sales, and 9% business tax plan to be deceptively simple and ill-advised. The new tax code would lower taxes on top tax brackets, while actually raising taxes for working and lower middle class citizens. For all his talk of the poor needing to pull themselves up by the bootstraps, Cain seems intent on creating yet another obstacle in their path.
His stances, or lack-there-of, on foreign policy are equally troubling. Joking about not being able to name the president of such "small and insignificant states" as Uzbekistan is indeed humorous and personable, but should not be the conduct of a man who seeks the most powerful office of a country with many complicated interests abroad.
I believe that Cain's popularity will begin to fade as Americans begin to appreciate the less than savory implications of Cain's 9-9-9 plan and his lack of a foreign policy strategy becomes more apparent. I still see Mitt Romney eventually securing the Republican nomination, with his steady poll ratings, appeal with moderates, and comprehensive 59 point economic plan.
"Rising Cain." The Economist [London] 15 Oct. 2011: 35-36. Print.
QOTW #2
One political issue I am particularly interested in is gay marriage and gay equality. I have many gay and lesbian friends and relatives, and several family friends are gay, and I find much anti-gay rhetoric to be utterly bigoted and irrational.
10.10.11
US of A: Life, Liberty, and My .380 Cal Smith and Wesson Bodyguard
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-brown-guns-20111011,0,5655548.story
Earlier today, Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed legislation banning the unconcealed carry of handguns. By doing so, he strays into one of the most vitriolic and polarized policy disagreements facing the country. Brown, who cited the support of California police chiefs in his defense of the bill, has received heat from those who would like to pack their heat proudly and visibly in a holster on their hip. The bill says nothing about openly carrying long barrel firearms such as shotguns and rifles.
Brown, himself the owner of three firearms, signed the legislation as a continuation of a recent push for increased gun control, targeted at felons. Brown argues that the open carry of firearms does more harm than good, causing consternation among the general populace and making the jobs of law enforcement much harder.
In response, gun rights advocates have argued that the ban of open carry handguns will result in an increase in concealed carry permits and infringe on the rights of honest citizens to bear arms for self-defense purposes.
I observe the growing trend of lax gun regulation sweeping the nation with angst, and so laud Gov. Brown for his political courage in bucking the trend. In my opinion, the case for open carry weapons is very weak. First of all, states generally require open carry firearms to be unloaded. The argument that open carry firearms would be any sort of deterrent to crimes is thus laughable. Second of all, the presence of more guns on the street (or, as in four states of our beautiful Union, in government buildings), whether concealed or not, simply complicates the jobs of law enforcement officers, as they are forced to deal with the increased likelihood that any given person is exercising their 2nd Amendment rights to the fullest.
Going deeper, I believe that the 2nd Amendment is, in itself, flawed. In the late 1700's, with little to no law enforcement present throughout the new nation, the amendment granted citizens the rights to form their own militias for the purpose of law enforcement. Now, over two hundred years later, with law enforcement well established throughout the United States, I believe the 2nd Amendment is much less relevant and in need of serious review. Unfortunately, this opinion is not shared by many others. Ah, well. Guess I'll head over to Starbucks, where the person directly behind me in line will be proudly bearing his Glock for the rest of the clientele to nervously gaze at.
Earlier today, Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed legislation banning the unconcealed carry of handguns. By doing so, he strays into one of the most vitriolic and polarized policy disagreements facing the country. Brown, who cited the support of California police chiefs in his defense of the bill, has received heat from those who would like to pack their heat proudly and visibly in a holster on their hip. The bill says nothing about openly carrying long barrel firearms such as shotguns and rifles.
Brown, himself the owner of three firearms, signed the legislation as a continuation of a recent push for increased gun control, targeted at felons. Brown argues that the open carry of firearms does more harm than good, causing consternation among the general populace and making the jobs of law enforcement much harder.
In response, gun rights advocates have argued that the ban of open carry handguns will result in an increase in concealed carry permits and infringe on the rights of honest citizens to bear arms for self-defense purposes.
I observe the growing trend of lax gun regulation sweeping the nation with angst, and so laud Gov. Brown for his political courage in bucking the trend. In my opinion, the case for open carry weapons is very weak. First of all, states generally require open carry firearms to be unloaded. The argument that open carry firearms would be any sort of deterrent to crimes is thus laughable. Second of all, the presence of more guns on the street (or, as in four states of our beautiful Union, in government buildings), whether concealed or not, simply complicates the jobs of law enforcement officers, as they are forced to deal with the increased likelihood that any given person is exercising their 2nd Amendment rights to the fullest.
Going deeper, I believe that the 2nd Amendment is, in itself, flawed. In the late 1700's, with little to no law enforcement present throughout the new nation, the amendment granted citizens the rights to form their own militias for the purpose of law enforcement. Now, over two hundred years later, with law enforcement well established throughout the United States, I believe the 2nd Amendment is much less relevant and in need of serious review. Unfortunately, this opinion is not shared by many others. Ah, well. Guess I'll head over to Starbucks, where the person directly behind me in line will be proudly bearing his Glock for the rest of the clientele to nervously gaze at.
2.10.11
QOTW #1
I am most closely aligned with the Democratic Party. I am liberal on most social issues, including same-sex marriage. I also favor increased government involvement in the economy, higher taxes on upper and upper middle income brackets, and more welfare programs that would raise the standards of living for the millions of American living below or near the poverty line.
Current Event #1: Perry's Racist Ranch
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44747781/ns/politics-decision_2012/
Texas Governor and Presidential hopeful Rick Perry was recently slammed by fellow hopeful Herman Cain over the "insensitive" name of Perry's onetime hunting camp: "Niggerhead."
Though Perry insists that the name, which appeared on a rock at the front of the property, was painted over well before his entrance into politics, sources for the Washington Post claim that the name was in fact visible through the 1980's and 90's, as Perry's political career was in full swing.
Ray Sullivan, Perry's communications director, also disclosed that Perry had last visited the camp in 2006, and had stopped leasing it in 2007.
"Niggerhead" is a very offensive and insensitive name for any location. However, the name of a one time hunting camp says nothing about Perry's own ideas and politics. Perry himself had nothing to do with naming the camp, which was established well before Perry's father leased the camp in the early 1980's. Furthermore, Perry's claims that he painted over the name before the beginning of his political career are well attested by sources close to the governor, and the anonymous claims otherwise in the Post contradict each other, some stating that the offensive name was visible in 2008 while others say that the name was erased in the 1990's.
All petty details aside, the entire brouhaha over the name is a sad example of modern attack politics. You know you've got a problem when the name of a hunting camp gains more attention than the actual positions of campaigners for a national election. Instead of slinging mud (or feces) around like a bunch of monkeys, let's actually have some productive, educated discussion of the complicated problems facing the nation and the candidates' plans for addressing them.
Texas Governor and Presidential hopeful Rick Perry was recently slammed by fellow hopeful Herman Cain over the "insensitive" name of Perry's onetime hunting camp: "Niggerhead."
Though Perry insists that the name, which appeared on a rock at the front of the property, was painted over well before his entrance into politics, sources for the Washington Post claim that the name was in fact visible through the 1980's and 90's, as Perry's political career was in full swing.
Ray Sullivan, Perry's communications director, also disclosed that Perry had last visited the camp in 2006, and had stopped leasing it in 2007.
"Niggerhead" is a very offensive and insensitive name for any location. However, the name of a one time hunting camp says nothing about Perry's own ideas and politics. Perry himself had nothing to do with naming the camp, which was established well before Perry's father leased the camp in the early 1980's. Furthermore, Perry's claims that he painted over the name before the beginning of his political career are well attested by sources close to the governor, and the anonymous claims otherwise in the Post contradict each other, some stating that the offensive name was visible in 2008 while others say that the name was erased in the 1990's.
All petty details aside, the entire brouhaha over the name is a sad example of modern attack politics. You know you've got a problem when the name of a hunting camp gains more attention than the actual positions of campaigners for a national election. Instead of slinging mud (or feces) around like a bunch of monkeys, let's actually have some productive, educated discussion of the complicated problems facing the nation and the candidates' plans for addressing them.
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