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Post by chyrondave on May 17, 2011 17:04:48 GMT -5
Everyone else seems to be having fun with this, so I figured I would post part of the platform of the WTH party, the first third party since the Republican Party to win the White House.
1) We need to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and, by extension, oil in general. I propose the creation of a alternative energy X-prize, awarding 10 million dollars to the company that creates a viable alternative energy source.
2) America needs to reduce its debt. I propose that cost cutting measures be taken by government to help reduce deficit and debt. Chief among these measures is a new calary structure for the president and Congress where their salaries would represent the average of the constituents they represent (example: the presidential salary is currently $191,300, under the new plan, it would be $50,233 -- the national average as of 2006)
3) We need to rebuild our industrial and economic base. I propose new legislation which would make any business that does business in the United States subject to National Labor Laws (example: a company that sells its products in the U.S. would have to pay at least U.S. minimum wage regrdless of where the product is made).
4) I propose to stimulate America's science and industry with a renewed effort to return to the moon and beyond in an effort to renew the innovative spark that the original space race spawned.
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Post by Admin on May 17, 2011 17:33:02 GMT -5
I guess I'll create some controversy here and ask what your take on health care is.
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Post by chyrondave on May 17, 2011 18:46:04 GMT -5
my belief is that everyone should have health care. It's also my belief that what we have now is not working. What we need to do is explore new options, and look to our neighbors (Canada) to see how they manage to make health care work and we don't.
I also don't believe that the solution to promoting better health is outright bans on fast foods and other things that have been declared "bad" for you. The key to promoting better health is education. If we can educate Americans not only on what is bad for them, but what is good for them (an "eat this, not that" mentality), then we can start to improve the well being of Americans.
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Post by Admin on May 17, 2011 18:56:31 GMT -5
*waits for your opinion to generate a discussion*
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Post by Erik-El on May 17, 2011 19:17:09 GMT -5
my belief is that everyone should have health care. It's also my belief that what we have now is not working. What we need to do is explore new options, and look to our neighbors (Canada) to see how they manage to make health care work and we don't. I also don't believe that the solution to promoting better health is outright bans on fast foods and other things that have been declared "bad" for you. The key to promoting better health is education. If we can educate Americans not only on what is bad for them, but what is good for them (an "eat this, not that" mentality), then we can start to improve the well being of Americans. Everyone already knows fast food is bad for you. Do you really think you will stop some Big Mac scarfer on the street, tell him fast food is bad for him and that fruits and vegetables are good for him and blow his mind? |
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Post by chyrondave on May 18, 2011 2:34:13 GMT -5
Prohibition has already proven that outright bans do not work. The only thing that will happen if you were to outright ban fast food is you will create a lot more criminals with all the people that will pursue forbidden Big Macs.
The key is to instill healthy eating habits early in life. Educating people about not only healthier choices, but proper eating habits will help stem the tide of obesity in this country. The key to better living is not just eating healthier, but eating in moderation. That means eating in smaller sizes as well as eating healthier. There is nothing wrong with fast food in moderation. A cheeseburger once or twice a week will not be the end all and be all of humanity as long as you know that you should keep the portion sizes down. I'm not saying it will be easy, but it can be done without having to resort to totalitarian tactics such as bans.
I will be the first to admit I'm not the best person to preach about this. I know I've eaten my share of fast food, But I know that I do have the ability to make a change in my diet that will help. For me, that initial step was to eliminate sodas. I have not had a carbonated drink in over 2 years. Most times I go out, I drink water, or maybe the occasional juice/lemonade. It is a small step, but it is one in the right direction. And if I can make that step, others can to without having to resort to bans and prohibitions.
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Post by Erik-El on May 18, 2011 12:21:31 GMT -5
Prohibition where? The only reason prohibition in the US did not work is because it was not enforced. Just like the law that you have to cover a car when a horse is walking past it is not enforced.
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Post by chyrondave on May 18, 2011 16:27:14 GMT -5
The only thing prohibitions do is make people want what is prohibited that much more, regardless of whether or not the prohibition is enforced.
Again, the key to solving the issue is to educate everyone of the alternatives. Which approach would you respond to:
1) "Don't eat fast food! If you eat fast food, we will hammer a nail into your foot for each bite you take!"
2) "Eat this turkey burger rather than that Big Mac. The turkey burger is leaner than the beef and tastes just the same as a regular burger."
If you ask me, I'll take the turkey burger.
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Post by Erik-El on May 18, 2011 21:29:50 GMT -5
I would respond to neither since I do not eat fast food.
But if we are pretending I was, I would tell you to get your hippie turkey burger out of my face before you wear it.
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Post by Admin on May 18, 2011 21:35:55 GMT -5
Hey now, turkey burgers are delicious.
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Post by Erik-El on May 18, 2011 21:42:09 GMT -5
Actually, they are.
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Post by chyrondave on May 19, 2011 3:11:27 GMT -5
It may be that those set in their ways may be less wiling to alter their diets. The key is to teach the next generation that proper diet (which means eating healthy and eating in moderation) and exercise are key.
Which, of course, brings us to education. We need to revamp our education system so that we actually educate our children and give them the skills that will help them excel when they grow up and enter the real world. This would entail more than just passing a "No Child Left Behind" act that is not funded, but actually providing the education that will ensure that no child will be left behind though proper funding of education plans, and providing inspiration for children to learn ("See that, Jimmy, we've reached Mars. And you know how we did that? Not by the rockets or the ships, but by the educated men and women who designed and built those rockets and ships...").
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