Personally i don't give a damn about age. In my country we have young politicians that do a great job. My real gripe is with the divide between rich, middle class and poor. We have an economic crisis and everyone knows Europe is doing too great right now. So there need to be extra taxes and cut backs, i completely understand that. But they get the money from the poor, middle class and elderly simply because they're the biggest group and so that's the easiest way to get money. They make changes to health care, to pensions etc that directly affect those groups but not the wealthy. Just as an example: in our government the regular pay for someone who's in politics is around 7500 euro's a month (twice what an average person makes without all the deductable expenses they have on top). Now they are complaining that they go back 170 euro's a month with regulations they thought up themselves! (Which makes me think they have no idea what they agreed to in the first place). All this while poor people go back in their monthly income much more thanks to the new regulations. Young people, like me, can't even afford to live on their own. If we have to make changes, fine, great! It sucks but if that needs to happen it will. But this goes for everyone(!) not just certain groups... Equality is the key.
The poor, middle class, and elderly do not have lobbyists to push their agenda and line a politicians pockets through PAC's and SuperPAC's, therefore they get the shaft. I do not blame the wealthy outright, but there are some old money groups that really straddle the line of legality with their influence on such matters. Politics is a system and they simply know how to game the system better than the average Joe or Jane.
@lykopis:
You miss are a lady and a scholar
And you, sir, are a gentleman of great knowledge. :)
If I had my way, I would have PAC's eradicated and in my country, make it illegal to have sponsors when running for any office. I wonder who would run for office with that in place -- there are a few politicians who have refused donations from corporations to their campaigns however, their impact on voters is telling. The more buttons and posters and commercial time, the more likely you will be voted in. Which is why I think the amount spent on campaigns should be capped at an amount most people can afford and if that means no more commercials or posters plastered everywhere, even better. Get the voters digging into what platform each candidate represents and once you get someone actively learning on their own initiative rather than what's jammed down your throat media-wise, the more likely their choice will be well considered. (and this includes interviews on news channels since they are just barely concealed advertisements).
@Timandm said:
@lykopis said:
@Pyrogram said:
@lykopis said:
I look for consistency. If you are considered an adult at eighteen years of age, then everything accessible and allowed for adults should be universal.
I disagree, An 18 year old does not have the life experiences of a 30 year old to be able to make changes that would affect millions, they may have knowledge for example, but experience is not overrated.
That's where voters come in. If the people appreciate experience more than age, then they won't vote for the 18 year old. It's a democracy.
Well, here's an interesting thought... The number of U.S. citizens between the age of 18 and 24 is (I believe) a little over 31 million... Think about the sheer immensity of that number. Now, MOST of them have the right to vote. IF they were wise enough to be politically aware, and IF they participated in the political process (corrupt though it may be) can you imagine how much pull they would have? I honestly believe if enough young people cared enough and were willing to work hard enough, they could get congress to change the laws regarding the age at which one could run for office... the question becomes, why DON'T they?
Now, you're suggesting that experience is more important than age, and you're absolutely correct... But, consider a few things that older people are seeing when they look at younger people... And this isn't meant to be insulting. I'm just going to throw some facts out there. And I'm getting this info from reports by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the NIH. (National Institute of Health)
1: In 2010 34% of all drunk drivers were between the age of 21 and 24. Think about that. ONE-THIRD of all the drunk drivers in the U.S. were either 21, 22, 23, or 24...... I know a lot of university students. I teach... I am absolutely not surprised by these numbers. After a football game, the campus is sometimes littered with beer bottles/cans, and empty liquor bottles. it's just accepted as normal behavior... But it's actually quite dangerous.
2: In 2010 the percentage of people in the US between the age of 18 and 22 that engaged in Binge drinking was around 40%. Nearly HALF the people in that age range, in this country, engage in BINGE DRINKING?!?!
3: in 2010, the percentage of people in the US between the age of 18 and 25 who used illegal drugs on a regular basis, was around 41%. Can you imagine?!
4: Take a look at the following chart which plots the number of those convicted of violent crimes by age... Numbers like these, don't inspire confidence in young people... Now, for the record, I am not saying all young people are irresponsible drug using criminals.... I'm showing you numbers acquired by agencies that study health... These numbers are real... If you compare groups by age, you find that young people between the age of 18 and 24, on average are doing A LOT of drinking, drugs, and crime.... Of course, this is absolutely NOTHING NEW. I'd bet hard cash that if I looked at the percentages for the years 1967 to 1972 it would be FAR worse... Most young people are just getting away from home and they go a bit wild... I did... I was incredibly stupid... I'm glad I survived it... So, what's my point? Well, there IS a reason that many of us would have a hard time trusting a someone under the age of 35 to run the country.... But to be fair, I'm not all that confident in the people over 35 either...
Oh my.
From personal experience, I would say that is pretty spot on although I would love to get a break down in terms of educational levels achieved. How many finished high-school? Gone on to college? That sort of deal including differences (if any) in different parts of the country. Me and statistics don't mesh well but when they are garnered through institutions like the CDC -- I pretty much accept them.
Personally i don't give a damn about age. In my country we have young politicians that do a great job. My real gripe is with the divide between rich, middle class and poor. We have an economic crisis and everyone knows Europe is doing too great right now. So there need to be extra taxes and cut backs, i completely understand that. But they get the money from the poor, middle class and elderly simply because they're the biggest group and so that's the easiest way to get money. They make changes to health care, to pensions etc that directly affect those groups but not the wealthy. Just as an example: in our government the regular pay for someone who's in politics is around 7500 euro's a month (twice what an average person makes without all the deductable expenses they have on top). Now they are complaining that they go back 170 euro's a month with regulations they thought up themselves! (Which makes me think they have no idea what they agreed to in the first place). All this while poor people go back in their monthly income much more thanks to the new regulations. Young people, like me, can't even afford to live on their own. If we have to make changes, fine, great! It sucks but if that needs to happen it will. But this goes for everyone(!) not just certain groups... Equality is the key.
The poor, middle class, and elderly do not have lobbyists to push their agenda and line a politicians pockets through PAC's and SuperPAC's, therefore they get the shaft. I do not blame the wealthy outright, but there are some old money groups that really straddle the line of legality with their influence on such matters. Politics is a system and they simply know how to game the system better than the average Joe or Jane.
@lykopis:
You miss are a lady and a scholar
And you, sir, are a gentleman of great knowledge. :)
make it illegal to have sponsors when running for any office. I wonder who would run for office with that in place -- there are a few politicians who have refused donations from corporations to their campaigns however, their impact on voters is telling.
THAT is something that is needed. Just that alone would impact so much!
@Timandm: Bioengineering? Interesting. Explains why your so methodical in stuff. I assume your not religious?
Well, I do believe in God... Unfortunately, He won't let me have His position... One of the many odd things about my life... A lot of the people I know would probably be seriously pissed off if they knew that I sometimes teach... (wait for it) EVOLUTION! I have no problem with believing in God AND being a scientist.
There was an issue of Spider-Man, I think it was Marvel Knights (not sure)... it was one of those times that Peter Died and came back... Aunt May, M.J. and Peter were all living in Avengers tower at the time. Well, Reed Richards, Tony Stark, and Hank Pym were all running tests on Peter to figure out what had happened. To make a long story short, Reed Richards complimented Aunt May's dress. She replied something like, "Thank you, Dr. Richards. I'm on my way to church. You see, why you gentlemen try to figure out how my nephew is alive, I'm going to thank the one who made it possible."
I love that. I see science as a way to understand the physical universe. The fact that I know how a protein is made, doesn't mean God isn't the one responsible for creating that system.... I also, don't get angry with people who don't believe in God. I absolutely cannot PROVE the existence of God... Know what I mean? .
From personal experience, I would say that is pretty spot on although I would love to get a break down in terms of educational levels achieved. How many finished high-school? Gone on to college? That sort of deal including differences (if any) in different parts of the country. Me and statistics don't mesh well but when they are garnered through institutions like the CDC -- I pretty much accept them.
Those are EXACTLY the questions you should ask! it's not simply a matter of age... Maybe you and statistics COULD mesh. It's not the math that is difficult, it's the common sense to apply it properly.
@Timandm: Bioengineering? Interesting. Explains why your so methodical in stuff. I assume your not religious?
Well, I do believe in God... Unfortunately, He won't let me have His position... One of the many odd things about my life... A lot of the people I know would probably be seriously pissed off if they knew that I sometimes teach... (wait for it) EVOLUTION! I have no problem with believing in God AND being a scientist. There was an issue of Spider-Man, I think it was Marvel Knights (not sure)... it was one of those times that Peter Died and came back... Aunt May, M.J. and Peter were all living in Avengers tower at the time. Well, Reed Richards, Tony Stark, and Hank Pym were all running tests on Peter to figure out what had happened. To make a long story short, Reed Richards complimented Aunt May's dress. She replied something like, "Thank you, Dr. Richards. I'm on my way to church. You see, why you gentlemen try to figure out how my nephew is alive, I'm going to thank the one who made it possible." I love that. I see science as a way to understand the physical universe. The fact that I know how a protein is made, doesn't mean God isn't the one responsible for creating that system.... I also, don't get angry with people who don't believe in God. I absolutely cannot PROVE the existence of God... Know what I mean?.
That is so insightful, Nice example. Very nice. I just cannot see how God is capable of making a DNA system that can copy itself billions of times without fail ( well..Much ) , I cannot see how Evolution makes that possible either though xD Things like that amaze me, I have not done protein's in a while but how the body makes billions and billions from a DNA code ..Ribosomes and all that so many times without fail is truly amazing. Nature at its most simplistic form is the most advanced.
You know, Niels Bohr described the energy levels of a hydrogen atom and BAMN Nobel Prize... Which he deserved... But think about that... As far as we know, a hydrogen atom is the simplest atom in existence. Seriously.. Just ONE electron? Does it get any simpler. But to us, it is so complex that it takes a genius to figure it out. Now, consider how many hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms and oxygen etc.. are in a single protein?!?! It's mind boggling... Who could really fathom how it was made or how it actually works... Our heads would explode.
btw, I found a scan of that thing with Aunt May. I thought I'd post it here.
any time I have to teach Evolution, at the beginning of the semester I try to head off any debates about God versus evolution... I often tell my students about what Aunt May said... She's a sharp cookie!
You know, Niels Bohr described the energy levels of a hydrogen atom and BAMN Nobel Prize... Which he deserved... But think about that... As far as we know, a hydrogen atom is the simplest atom in existence. Seriously.. Just ONE electron? Does it get any simpler. But to us, it is so complex that it takes a genius to figure it out. Now, consider how many hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms and oxygen etc.. are in a single protein?!?! It's mind boggling... Who could really fathom how it was made or how it actually works... Our heads would explode.
btw, I found a scan of that thing with Aunt May. I thought I'd post it here.
any time I have to teach Evolution, at the beginning of the semester I try to head off any debates about God versus evolution... I often tell my students about what Aunt May said... She's a sharp cookie!
That scan is so cool! It shows wisdom and intelligence are different things! Agreed, The most simple things in the universe are often the most complex :P
Personally i don't give a damn about age. In my country we have young politicians that do a great job. My real gripe is with the divide between rich, middle class and poor. We have an economic crisis and everyone knows Europe is doing too great right now. So there need to be extra taxes and cut backs, i completely understand that. But they get the money from the poor, middle class and elderly simply because they're the biggest group and so that's the easiest way to get money. They make changes to health care, to pensions etc that directly affect those groups but not the wealthy. Just as an example: in our government the regular pay for someone who's in politics is around 7500 euro's a month (twice what an average person makes without all the deductable expenses they have on top). Now they are complaining that they go back 170 euro's a month with regulations they thought up themselves! (Which makes me think they have no idea what they agreed to in the first place). All this while poor people go back in their monthly income much more thanks to the new regulations. Young people, like me, can't even afford to live on their own. If we have to make changes, fine, great! It sucks but if that needs to happen it will. But this goes for everyone(!) not just certain groups... Equality is the key.
The poor, middle class, and elderly do not have lobbyists to push their agenda and line a politicians pockets through PAC's and SuperPAC's, therefore they get the shaft. I do not blame the wealthy outright, but there are some old money groups that really straddle the line of legality with their influence on such matters. Politics is a system and they simply know how to game the system better than the average Joe or Jane.
I don't blame the wealthy outright either, although i can see how you think that from my previous post ;) And you're right, which is why i think the system should get a big overhaul.
@akbogert said:
@Aiden Cross: I really do wonder how/when economic imbalance will be addressed. I used to consider myself a socialist (but then I read Atlas Shrugged and it kind of destroyed my ability to appreciate socialism). I appreciate the reality of imbalance and the fact that right now the rich really do have way too much power and the poor really do suffer more because of the ability to buy votes and power. I see the problem frequently but I don't really know how to deal with it in a way that doesn't completely trample on the rights of some section of society.
By having every part of society and background represented in the government. Remove the ridiculous pays politicians get (speaking for my own country here) and just give them a normal pay with normal benefits. Give penalties to those politicians in cohorts with corporate/business life. And I believe that those who want the best for the world will stay in politics. Those who are in it for the money grabbing and power will find other jobs in corporate life. No more excessive campaigns, just regular tv debates, interviews and promotion equal to any other politician paid for by the state. Of course, it's a fools dream and this won't solve everything. I realize that all too well. But i think it would be a step in the right direction.
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