Comments on: Stranger in a Strange Land http://payne-family.org/blog/2008/01/16/stranger-in-a-strange-land/ We've moved to the UK - read all about it. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:57:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: nbrosnahan http://payne-family.org/blog/2008/01/16/stranger-in-a-strange-land/comment-page-1/#comment-239 nbrosnahan Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:23:37 +0000 http://payne-family.org/blog/2008/01/16/stranger-in-a-strange-land/#comment-239 I saw the story of stuff as well, and it makes me think every time I want to buy some new electronics gadget. Mostly, it makes me sad that I'm wanting it. Then I feel weak if I actually get it. If you really want to be depressed about the American fascist state, you should read "The End of America". If you want to be depressed about our food supply, you should read "The Omnivore's Dilemma". I'm trying not to eat corn in any of its derivative forms. That's really hard. It freaks me out how many people believe in God and will do crazy things as a result. *sigh* Things were going so great in the '90's. I saw the story of stuff as well, and it makes me think every time I want to buy some new electronics gadget. Mostly, it makes me sad that I’m wanting it. Then I feel weak if I actually get it.

If you really want to be depressed about the American fascist state, you should read “The End of America”. If you want to be depressed about our food supply, you should read “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”. I’m trying not to eat corn in any of its derivative forms. That’s really hard.

It freaks me out how many people believe in God and will do crazy things as a result.

*sigh*

Things were going so great in the ’90’s.

]]> By: hvrose http://payne-family.org/blog/2008/01/16/stranger-in-a-strange-land/comment-page-1/#comment-238 hvrose Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:58:44 +0000 http://payne-family.org/blog/2008/01/16/stranger-in-a-strange-land/#comment-238 btw...Ben Franklin advocated the Post Office. Partly because it made sense, but mostly because it was his major source of income ;-) btw…Ben Franklin advocated the Post Office. Partly because it made sense, but mostly because it was his major source of income ;-)

]]> By: hvrose http://payne-family.org/blog/2008/01/16/stranger-in-a-strange-land/comment-page-1/#comment-237 hvrose Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:54:06 +0000 http://payne-family.org/blog/2008/01/16/stranger-in-a-strange-land/#comment-237 Speaking of "democracy" and the press...what is going on now: dirty campaigns, punditry over reporting in the press, limited involvement by the people...reminds me very much of the state of US politics and campaigns after George Washington stepped down. Thomas Jefferson ran one party and newspaper. Alexander Hamilton ran the other party and newspaper. And only white, male land owners were allowed to vote...plus, they voted for "electors" who were not bound to cast their votes as their districts had voted. Let's just say that the Supreme Court has taken over this role. There are things our founders got right...assume people in power will try to exploit that power, try to limit the damage they can cause, create a government that allows for nonviolent change, and communication (the US Postal Service) is a key to successful governance. Let's just say that Jefferson knew himself and the other founders well. Technology changes very fast. People do not. Speaking of “democracy” and the press…what is going on now: dirty campaigns, punditry over reporting in the press, limited involvement by the people…reminds me very much of the state of US politics and campaigns after George Washington stepped down. Thomas Jefferson ran one party and newspaper. Alexander Hamilton ran the other party and newspaper. And only white, male land owners were allowed to vote…plus, they voted for “electors” who were not bound to cast their votes as their districts had voted. Let’s just say that the Supreme Court has taken over this role.

There are things our founders got right…assume people in power will try to exploit that power, try to limit the damage they can cause, create a government that allows for nonviolent change, and communication (the US Postal Service) is a key to successful governance. Let’s just say that Jefferson knew himself and the other founders well.

Technology changes very fast. People do not.

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