- Governments are monopolistic, and monopolies (lack of competition) lead to inefficiency. People are less strongly motivated to improve when they have a monopoly.
- Big organizations are difficult to change, and change is needed to continually ensure that they maximize efficiency. Very few organizations can stay efficient over time. Only one Fortunee 100 company from 1900 is still on the list.
- Governments tend to have inefficient policies.
- Governments don't have to be efficient to get money, and Organizations that don't have to be efficient will not choose to be efficient.t
- Very few organizationcanto stay efficient over time.
- Governments don't reward efficiency, and neither do the private sector.
- Governments don't punish inefficiencies, and neither does the private sector. Businesses that aren't efficient go out of business.
Nov 14, 2012
Governments are inefficient
The federal government should return power to the states and the people
- The federal government does many things that the states can do better.
- The federal government should not duplicate things the states do better.
- It is wrong for one state to get free stuff, and make another state pay for it.
- Money should be used as closely to the place that it was raised as possible.
- The federal government should mostly only do things that the individual states all agree are OK.
Nov 11, 2012
The Republican party has taken a fairly radical position on things like freedom of and from religion
Reasons to agree: +
- It was radical of Democrats to remove any reference to God from their platform. Radical means outside of the majority. Most Americans think it is OK to reference God periodically and are right. After World War, we had to prosecute war criminals. It is hard to prosecute people in a war, because they take an oath to do what their leaders tell them. We felt that when we pledged allegiance to our country that it was wrong to pledge absolute allegiance, and it is. We shouldn't hand our brain and soul to our government. We should promise to do what our country tells us to do, as long our our country is acting within a moral code. The most efficient way of accomplishing this is to ask each person to promise to support the country, as long as the country is doing what they think someone they want to worship is OK with that support.
- You can disagree with official school prayers, but still think the Democrats went to far by removing any reference to God from their platform.
- Sure, Mike Huckabee and Rich Santorum mixed religion and politics too much, but so did Reverend Wright.
# of reasons to agree: +3
# of reasons to disagree: -0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: -0
Total Idea Score: +3
Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons and the score will change.
- Leave a comment with a link to a photo, and I'll add it.
===============================================================
Websites
- http://www.nationalreview.com/
- http://townhall.com/
- http://www.newsmax.com/
- http://www.gop.com/
- http://www.nrcc.org/
- http://www.texasgop.org/
===============================================================
Videos
- The South Park episode about Richard Dawkins
===============================================================
Interest
Valid Interest of those who agree: + (help me put the more valid interest towards the top of the lists)
- An honest support of the Separation of Church and State
- Emotional validating their decision to not be religious. (I can reject your beliefs and still be a good person).
- Group solidarity. (I am going to signal solidarity with my friends and family, who have also chosen similar paths by publicly criticizing those who have made other decisions.)
- The desire to disagree with tradition. The desire to say that you are smarter than people that went before. The desire to make something new.
Valid Interest of those who disagree: - (help me put the more valid interest towards the top of the lists)
- Not throwing out the baby with the bath water. Our country was pretty good for a long time, why do we have to change everything all of a sudden?
- If you can't afford to send your kids to elite private schools, or get them a good start on life, perhaps the best way to ensure they don't mess things up too bad is to try to raise them up in a faith that keeps them from making bad mistakes. The belief that public confessions of faith will help guide your kids, and keep them out of trouble.
- Emotionally validating their decision to be religious (my decision to be religious proves that I am a good person. I am going to signal solidarity with my friends and family, who have also chosen similar paths by publicly criticizing those who have made other decisions).
- The desire to stick with tradition.
- The desire to stick with a decision made early in life. Emotional investment. I have being saying these things so long, that I believe them, and it is too hard to change now. This is part of who I am. This is what I have told people I believe. I can't just go changing all the time.
- The desire to do the math required to figure out that we are headed towards a fiscal cliff.
- The desire to face our problems, or pretend they don't exist.
===============================================================
Podcast
Podcast that agree: +
Podcast that disagree: -
===============================================================
Experts
Unbiased Experts who agree: +
Unbiased Experts who disagree: -
===============================================================
Books
Books that agree: +
Books that disagree: -
===============================================================
Miscellaneous
Related arguments:
Nov 10, 2012
Big governments are inefficient +3
Reasons
- Most government agencies have no competition and are monopolies. Monopolies and lack of competition lead to inefficiency.
- Governments often base this years budget on last years budget.
- It is inefficient to base this years budget on last years budget.
- Leave a comment so I can add a reason.
# of reasons to agree: +3
# of reasons to disagree: -0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: -0
Total Idea Score: +3
Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons and the score will change.
- Leave a comment with a link to a photo, and I'll add it.
===============================================================
Websites
- http://www.nationalreview.com/
- http://townhall.com/
- http://www.newsmax.com/
- http://www.gop.com/
- http://www.nrcc.org/
- http://www.texasgop.org/
===============================================================
Videos
- Leave a comment so I can add a reason.
===============================================================
Interest
- The desire to do the math required to figure out that we are headed towards a fiscal cliff.
- The desire to face our problems, or pretend they don't exist.
===============================================================
Podcast
Podcast that agree: +
Podcast that disagree: -
===============================================================
Experts
Unbiased Experts who agree: +
Unbiased Experts who disagree: -
===============================================================
Books
Books that agree: +
- After America: Get Ready for Armageddon by Mark Steyn
- Ameritopia: The Unmaking of America by Mark R Levin
- Mugged: Racial Demagoguery from the Seventies to Obama by Ann Coulter
Books that disagree: -
===============================================================
Miscellaneous
Related arguments:
The federal government should be as small as possible +10
Reasons
- Big governments are inefficient. +3
- Governments that promise the most often end up giving the least.
- Forced tax collections are bad
- Large governments require forced tax collection Power is bad.
- Large governments are powerful
- New presidents should be able to take the federal government in a new direction.
- If the federal government is too big and complex no one can change it, and it takes on a life of its own.
- Leave a comment so I can add a reason.
# of reasons to agree: +7
# of reasons to disagree: -0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +3
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: -0
Total Idea Score: +10
Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons and the score will change.
- Leave a comment with a link to a photo, and I'll add it.
===============================================================
Websites
- http://www.nationalreview.com/
- http://townhall.com/
- http://www.newsmax.com/
- http://www.gop.com/
- http://www.nrcc.org/
- http://www.texasgop.org/
===============================================================
Videos
- Leave a comment so I can add a reason.
===============================================================
Interest
- The desire to do the math required to figure out that we are headed towards a fiscal cliff.
- The desire to face our problems, or pretend they don't exist.
===============================================================
Podcast
Podcast that agree: +
Podcast that disagree: -
===============================================================
Experts
Unbiased Experts who agree: +
Unbiased Experts who disagree: -
===============================================================
Books
Books that agree: +
- After America: Get Ready for Armageddon by Mark Steyn
- Ameritopia: The Unmaking of America by Mark R Levin
- Mugged: Racial Demagoguery from the Seventies to Obama by Ann Coulter
Books that disagree: -
===============================================================
Miscellaneous
Related arguments:
Belief: The US Federal Government is Too Big
Reasons to Agree:
The Federal Government Should Be as Small as Possible – A smaller government reduces bureaucracy, limits overreach, and encourages efficiency.
Reduced Bureaucracy: Less government involvement streamlines processes and reduces red tape.
Limited Overreach: A smaller federal government is less likely to intrude on individual liberties and state autonomy.
Increased Efficiency: Reduced scope can lead to more focused and efficient government operations.
Lower Taxes: Potentially lower taxes due to reduced government spending.
Economic Growth: Less regulation and lower taxes can stimulate economic growth.
The Federal Government Should Return Power to the States and the People – Decentralization allows states to create policies more tailored to their unique populations and needs.
Tailored Policies: States can create policies more specifically suited to their diverse populations and local needs.
Increased Responsiveness: State and local governments may be more responsive to their citizens.
Policy Innovation: States can experiment with different policies that could be adopted nationally if successful.
Reduced Federal Control: Shifting power away from the federal government empowers states and communities to make their own decisions.
Reasons to Disagree:
The Federal Government Plays a Necessary Role in Addressing National Issues:
National Standards: The federal government ensures nationwide protections for civil rights, workplace safety, and environmental regulations.
Interstate Issues: Many issues like climate change, national security, and interstate commerce require federal coordination.
Economic Stability: The federal government plays a role in managing the national economy, stabilizing markets, and implementing fiscal policies.
Social Safety Nets: Federal programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid protect vulnerable populations.
Infrastructure and Research: Large-scale infrastructure projects and scientific research benefit from federal funding and coordination.
A Larger Federal Government Can Be More Effective and Equitable:
Economies of Scale: Government functions like defense and Social Security can be more efficiently managed at a federal level.
Redistribution and Equity: The federal government can address economic inequality across states.
Preventing a "Race to the Bottom": Without federal oversight, states may lower regulations to attract businesses, harming citizens.
Protecting Minority Rights: The federal government plays a crucial role in ensuring equal treatment under the law.
Score:
# of reasons to agree: +2
# of reasons to disagree: -2
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: +0
Total Idea Score: 0
Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons, and the score will change.
Images
Images That Agree: +
Images That Disagree: -
Leave a comment with a link to a photo, and I'll add it.
Websites
Websites That Agree: +
Websites That Disagree: -
Videos
Videos That Agree: +
Milton Friedman - Why Government Is the Problem - Free To Choose Network
The Danger of Big Government - PragerU
Videos That Disagree: -
The Case for Big Government - The Young Turks
Why We Need Big Government - Second Thought
Books
Books That Agree: +
After America: Get Ready for Armageddon by Mark Steyn
Ameritopia: The Unmaking of America by Mark R. Levin
Mugged: Racial Demagoguery from the Seventies to Obama by Ann Coulter
The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek
Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell
Books That Disagree: -
The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better by Richard G. Wilkinson and Kate Pickett
Capital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Piketty
Interest / Motivation
Valid Interest of Those Who Agree: +
Efficiency
Individual Liberty
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
Free Markets
Valid Interest of Those Who Disagree: -
Government Safety Nets
Social Justice and Equality
Public Services
Regulation and Oversight
Collective Action
Common Valid Interest:
American Strength
Opposing Valid Interest:
Fiscal Responsibility vs. Social Needs
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Trust in Government
Miscellaneous
Related Arguments:
Federalism and States' Rights
Economic Regulation vs. Free Markets
The Role of Government in History
We should cut federal government spending.
Reasons
- The USA federal government is too big. +10
- Spending is out of control.
- Leave a comment so I can add a reason.
# of reasons to agree: +2
# of reasons to disagree: -0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +10
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: -0
Total Idea Score: +12
Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons and the score will change.
- Leave a comment with a link to a photo, and I'll add it.
===============================================================
Websites
- http://www.nationalreview.com/
- http://townhall.com/
- http://www.newsmax.com/
- http://www.gop.com/
- http://www.nrcc.org/
- http://www.texasgop.org/
===============================================================
Videos
- Leave a comment so I can add a reason.
===============================================================
Interest
- Balancing the budget
- Avoiding financial meltdown
- Avoiding leaving debt for our kids
- Getting free stuff
- Getting "mine"
- Getting "my fair share"
- The desire to do the math required to figure out that we are headed towards a fiscal cliff.
- The desire to face our problems, or pretend they don't exist.
===============================================================
Podcast
Podcast that agree: +
Podcast that disagree: -
===============================================================
Experts
Unbiased Experts who agree: +
Unbiased Experts who disagree: -
===============================================================
Books
Books that agree: +
- After America: Get Ready for Armageddon by Mark Steyn
- Ameritopia: The Unmaking of America by Mark R Levin
- Mugged: Racial Demagoguery from the Seventies to Obama by Ann Coulter
Books that disagree: -
===============================================================
Miscellaneous
Related arguments:
Belief: The US Federal Government is Too Big
Reasons to Agree:
The Federal Government Should Be as Small as Possible – A smaller government reduces bureaucracy, limits overreach, and encourages efficiency.
Reduced Bureaucracy: Less government involvement streamlines processes and reduces red tape.
Limited Overreach: A smaller federal government is less likely to intrude on individual liberties and state autonomy.
Increased Efficiency: Reduced scope can lead to more focused and efficient government operations.
Lower Taxes: Potentially lower taxes due to reduced government spending.
Economic Growth: Less regulation and lower taxes can stimulate economic growth.
The Federal Government Should Return Power to the States and the People – Decentralization allows states to create policies more tailored to their unique populations and needs.
Tailored Policies: States can create policies more specifically suited to their diverse populations and local needs.
Increased Responsiveness: State and local governments may be more responsive to their citizens.
Policy Innovation: States can experiment with different policies that could be adopted nationally if successful.
Reduced Federal Control: Shifting power away from the federal government empowers states and communities to make their own decisions.
Reasons to Disagree:
The Federal Government Plays a Necessary Role in Addressing National Issues:
National Standards: The federal government ensures nationwide protections for civil rights, workplace safety, and environmental regulations.
Interstate Issues: Many issues like climate change, national security, and interstate commerce require federal coordination.
Economic Stability: The federal government plays a role in managing the national economy, stabilizing markets, and implementing fiscal policies.
Social Safety Nets: Federal programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid protect vulnerable populations.
Infrastructure and Research: Large-scale infrastructure projects and scientific research benefit from federal funding and coordination.
A Larger Federal Government Can Be More Effective and Equitable:
Economies of Scale: Government functions like defense and Social Security can be more efficiently managed at a federal level.
Redistribution and Equity: The federal government can address economic inequality across states.
Preventing a "Race to the Bottom": Without federal oversight, states may lower regulations to attract businesses, harming citizens.
Protecting Minority Rights: The federal government plays a crucial role in ensuring equal treatment under the law.
Score:
# of reasons to agree: +2
# of reasons to disagree: -2
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: +0
Total Idea Score: 0
Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons, and the score will change.
Images
Images That Agree: +
Images That Disagree: -
Leave a comment with a link to a photo, and I'll add it.
Websites
Websites That Agree: +
Websites That Disagree: -
Videos
Videos That Agree: +
Milton Friedman - Why Government Is the Problem - Free To Choose Network
The Danger of Big Government - PragerU
Videos That Disagree: -
The Case for Big Government - The Young Turks
Why We Need Big Government - Second Thought
Books
Books That Agree: +
After America: Get Ready for Armageddon by Mark Steyn
Ameritopia: The Unmaking of America by Mark R. Levin
Mugged: Racial Demagoguery from the Seventies to Obama by Ann Coulter
The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek
Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell
Books That Disagree: -
The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better by Richard G. Wilkinson and Kate Pickett
Capital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Piketty
Interest / Motivation
Valid Interest of Those Who Agree: +
Efficiency
Individual Liberty
Limited Government
Fiscal Responsibility
Free Markets
Valid Interest of Those Who Disagree: -
Government Safety Nets
Social Justice and Equality
Public Services
Regulation and Oversight
Collective Action
Common Valid Interest:
American Strength
Opposing Valid Interest:
Fiscal Responsibility vs. Social Needs
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Trust in Government
Miscellaneous
Related Arguments:
Federalism and States' Rights
Economic Regulation vs. Free Markets
The Role of Government in History
Nov 9, 2012
You should try to convince your kids to not use drugs
Best reasons to agree: +5
Best books that agree: +
Best webpages that agree: +
Interest of those who agree: +
- Drugs addiction will often kill you.
- Drugs addiction often causes people to live on the street.
- Drugs will often cause you to steel from and lie to your family.
- Drugs will addict you. Addiction takes control of your life. It is bad to loose control of your life.
- In general most parents should tell their kids not to use drugs. Obviously there is a right and a wrong way to do it. You should wait until they are the right age, but not too long. If you are struggling with your kids, and they have no respect for you, perhaps you should find someone that they respect more.
- All kids will rebel to some degree against their parents. This is a natural process of finding yourself, and creating your own separate identity. By telling your kids not to use drugs this creates a situation when they will have a physiological or emotional reason to do the opposite.
- Telling kids not to use drugs only peaks their interest.
- Most kids are smart enough to figure out not to use drugs themselves.
- The schools will teach your kids what they need to know about drugs. They have training about these subjects.
- You shouldn't just "try and convince them". You should do random drug tests if you have any suspicions. You need to ensure they have good friends. You need to do specific things to ensure they are not using drugs, especially the important long term things of developing long term relationships with them...
- Kids use drugs for specific reasons: to fit in, and because they have psychological problems. If you keep them from having psychological problems or needing to be accepted by stupid people, they will naturally avoid drugs.
Score:
# of reasons to agree: +4
# of reasons to disagree: -5
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: -0
Total Idea Score: -1
Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons and the score will change.
Best books that agree: +
Best podcast that agree: +
Best songs that agree: +
- Might as well be walking on the sun by Smash Mouth
- The Needle and the Damage Done by Neil Young
- Keep on Rocking in the Free World by Neil Young
- Hurt By Johny Cash
Best webpages that agree: +
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_dependence
- http://www.asam.org/
- http://www.dpri.com/
- http://www.theantidrug.com/
Interest of those who agree: +
- Saving their kids from trauma.
- Being counter-intuitive.
Poems that agree: +
Poetry can be the best way to motivate yourself
Reasons to agree: +1
2. Come, Let Us Anew (Wesley)
Come, let us anew our journey pursue,
Roll round with the year,
And never stand still till the Master appear.
His adorable will let us gladly fulfill,
And our talents improve,
By the patience of hope and the labor of love,
By the patience of hope and the labor of love.
Our life as a dream, our time as a stream,
Glides swiftly away,
And the fugitive moment refuses to stay.
The arrow is flown, the moments are gone,
The Millennial year
Presses on to our view, and eternity’s here,
Presses on to our view, and eternity’s here.
O that each in the day of His coming may say,
“I have fought my way thro’—
I have finished the work Thou didst give me to do.”
O that each from his Lord may receive the glad word:
“Well and faithfully done;
Enter into my joy and sit down on my throne,”
“Enter into my joy and sit down on my throne.”
My Mom pointed out that she like this hymn. She felt her life had gone so fast, and liked the 2nd verse... the part about your life flying by like an arrow, a dream, or a river.
- People have spent time to put important life lessons into poetry, that are well said enough that they tell a story or hold a truth that is more powerful than just stating the belief as a summary, or cliffs notes version of the poetic statement. For instance to me the Palace by Rudyard Kipling tells me that when people look back on the wreck of your life, that they won't just see your permanent long lasting improvements that you made, but that they will also see what you tried to do, and that that can be good enough, perhaps. That idea is much better explained in his story / alagory / poem, printed below for your ease of use.
- Come Let Us Anew by Wesley should be motivating to most people
- Reasons to agree: +2
- Its nice to think that you can start again.
- It may be depressing to think about how fast life is passing, but it is true, and so you need to deal with truths.
- Reasons to disagree: -3
- Its depressing to think about how fast live moves.
- You don't really get to start again. A year is a continuation of the previous year, and you don't start with a new situation. People often sing this at the new year, but they continue to live their old lives.
- Unfortunately some people have so much emotional need to validate their rejection of religion that they might not be able to apply anything from a poem that has a faithful perspective.
- A well rounded person won't look for motivation just from poetry, but will try to have good health, excercize, friends, and family, and also try to have an inner life, and think deaply about things from time to time. Part of thinking about things can include seeking out and learning good poetry. But is is sort of wrong to say that poetry is the "best" way to motivate yourself. Sometimes anti-depressents, or exercize are the best way to motivate yourself.
When I was a King and a Mason-a master proven and skilled-
I cleared me ground for a Palace such as a King should build.
I decreed and cut down to my levels, and presently, under the silt,
I came on the wreck of a Palace such as a King had built.
There was no worth in the fashion-there was no wit in the plan-
Hither and thither, aimless, the ruined footings ran-
Masonry, brute, mishandled; but carven on every stone:
"After me cometh a Builder. Tell him I, too, have known."
Swift to my use in my trenches, where my well-planned ground-works grew,
I tumbled his quoins and ashlars, and cut and reset them anew.
Lime I milled of his marbles ; burned it, slacked it and spread;
Taking and leaving at pleasure the gifts of the humble dead.
Yet I despised not nor gloried; yet as we wrenched them apart,
I read in the razed foundations the heart of that builder’s heart.
As though he had risen and pleaded, so did I understand
The form of the dream he had followed in the face of the thing he had planned.
When I was King and a Mason-in the open noon of my pride,
They sent me a Word from the Darkness-They whispered and called me aside.
They said-"The end is forbidden." They said-"Thy use is fulfilled,
"And thy Palace shall stand as that other’s-the spoil of a King who shall build. "
I called my men from my trenches, my quarries, my wharves and my sheers.
All I had wrought I abandoned to the faith of the faithless years.
Only I cut on the timber-only I carved on the stone:
"After me cometh a Builder. Tell him I, too, have known."
Come, let us anew our journey pursue,
Roll round with the year,
And never stand still till the Master appear.
His adorable will let us gladly fulfill,
And our talents improve,
By the patience of hope and the labor of love,
By the patience of hope and the labor of love.
Our life as a dream, our time as a stream,
Glides swiftly away,
And the fugitive moment refuses to stay.
The arrow is flown, the moments are gone,
The Millennial year
Presses on to our view, and eternity’s here,
Presses on to our view, and eternity’s here.
O that each in the day of His coming may say,
“I have fought my way thro’—
I have finished the work Thou didst give me to do.”
O that each from his Lord may receive the glad word:
“Well and faithfully done;
Enter into my joy and sit down on my throne,”
“Enter into my joy and sit down on my throne.”
My Mom pointed out that she like this hymn. She felt her life had gone so fast, and liked the 2nd verse... the part about your life flying by like an arrow, a dream, or a river.
You should gather a list of poems that mean things to you, and explain why you liked them
- You can review the list when you feel that life has no meaning, beauty, or meaning.
- Its unfortunate that people read books, and poems while in school, but sit on their asses and just watch TV for the rest of their lives.
- If their is no God, perhaps the only way you can leave something lasting when you die is to say something in a way that gets remembered.
- Poetry can help you tell your kids how you feel about them.
- People can write poems that describe the type of parent you want to be.
- Authors of good poetry can force you confront difficult topics
- Poetry can put your shortcomings in perspective
- Poetry can motivate you.
Poetry can put your shortcomings in perspective
The expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action; and till action, lust
Is perjured, murderous, bloody, full of blame,
Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust;
Enjoy'd no sooner but despised straight;
Past reason hunted; and no sooner had,
Past reason hated, as a swallowed bait,
On purpose laid to make the taker mad:
Mad in pursuit, and in possession so;
Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;
A bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe;
Before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream.
All this the world well knows; yet none knows well
To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.
Shakespear's sonnet #129 is a great poem about addition. It sort of reminds me of the song that Johnny Cash sang called Hurt. I want me kids to be free. I want them, and all of humanity, to be free from all addictions. I don't want them to be slaves to alcohol, drugs, or any other addiction. It doesn't make them more noble or heroic to overcome addiction, like Cash... It is more noble to just avoid it.
 |
| Shame |
Authors of good poetry can force you to confront difficult topics
Poems that Agree: +
1. Spring and Fall: [Margaret, Are You Grieving] by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you wíll weep & know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow's springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What héart héard of, ghóst guéssed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.
Megan, an English major, told me about this poem.
You can find better explanations on other sites, but:
Margaret is a young girl... Can't remember. Perhaps a niece or something... She was sad when she watched the leaves fall from the trees.
Goldengrove yellow trees.
Unleaving = leaves falling off.
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you wíll weep & know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow's springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What héart héard of, ghóst guéssed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.
Megan, an English major, told me about this poem.
You can find better explanations on other sites, but:
Margaret is a young girl... Can't remember. Perhaps a niece or something... She was sad when she watched the leaves fall from the trees.
Goldengrove yellow trees.
Unleaving = leaves falling off.
People can write poems that describe the type of parent you want to be
Poems that agree: +
1. "Genes" - Sharon Dunn
1. "Genes" - Sharon Dunn
My eleven year son wants to fish,
he owns two rods, one saltwater,
one freshwater. He loves knives,
Bowie knives, Swiss Army
knives, "Knives like this one?"
my brother says, opening his desk
drawer and taking out a small
jackknife with antler handle.
My boy camps outdoors, begs to sleep
outside, is always shooting
arrows, rubber band guns,
he is lashing together a fort
in the backyard. He sails,
swims, kayaks and wants
to know the stars.
The outdoor hunting genes
are in the dark men in my family.
Yet I believe he is a son of light.
His joy in reading, cooking
and piano are fanned
from the tinderbox
of his father's heart.
He will save rainforest,
he will grow vegetables,
keep horses, fly his own plane.
He will make his own brave life,
he will not remake our lives
nor redeem us, nor pity us.
he owns two rods, one saltwater,
one freshwater. He loves knives,
Bowie knives, Swiss Army
knives, "Knives like this one?"
my brother says, opening his desk
drawer and taking out a small
jackknife with antler handle.
My boy camps outdoors, begs to sleep
outside, is always shooting
arrows, rubber band guns,
he is lashing together a fort
in the backyard. He sails,
swims, kayaks and wants
to know the stars.
The outdoor hunting genes
are in the dark men in my family.
Yet I believe he is a son of light.
His joy in reading, cooking
and piano are fanned
from the tinderbox
of his father's heart.
He will save rainforest,
he will grow vegetables,
keep horses, fly his own plane.
He will make his own brave life,
he will not remake our lives
nor redeem us, nor pity us.
Poetry can help you tell your kids how you feel about them
Poems that agree: +
- 1. Daughter Lyrics by Loudon Wainwright III
Everything she sees
she says she wants.
Everything she wants
I see she gets.
- That's my daughter in the water
everything she owns I bought her
Everything she owns.
That's my daughter in the water,
everything she knows I taught her.
Everything she knows.
- Everything I say
she takes to heart.
Everything she takes
she takes apart.
- That's my daughter in the water
every time she fell I caught her.
Every time she fell.
That's my daughter in the water,
I lost every time I fought her.
I lost every time.
- Every time she blinks
she strikes somebody blind.
Everything she thinks
blows her tiny mind.
That's my daughter in the water,
who'd have ever thought her?
Who'd have ever thought?
That's my daughter in the water,
I lost everytime I fought her
Yea, I lost every time.
Teenagers can be OK to live with +1
Poems that agree: +
An Easy-Going Weekend by Gerald Locklin
With my wife and daughter away at
My daughter's college for four days,
It has been a bachelor's weekend
For my fifteen-year old son and me.
We get along easily because we
Like a number of the
Same few basic things: eating,
Reading, writing, music. his social
Life is different from my current
One: he visits with his friends,
Girls and boys, while I swim at
The YMCA pool. Then he watched
Videos—a compromise between
The ones that he picks out—
Empire Records, Strange Brew—
And the ones I think he ought to
Be exposed to—Citizen Kane,
La Strada, Dr. Strangelove. He
Plays his amplified guitar; I switch
A game on when the Yankees are
At bat. I give him In Our Time
To read; finish up a Flann
O'Brien for my class. We both
Like Italian one day, Mexican the
Next. He feeds the cats and does
The dishes for his mother.
At night, he works late on
A story at the MAC; I write
A poem with a pad and pencil.
I exercise the dog and feed it.
I go to bed before he does.
We both say, "love you; see
You in the morning." And
We mean it
=========================================
- Teenagers are moody
Score:
# of reasons to agree: +1
# of reasons to disagree: -0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: -0
Total Idea Score: +1
Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons and the score will change.
=========================================
=========================================
=========================================
- Optimism
=========================================
Nov 8, 2012
Should Marco Rubio Be Our Next President? An Examination
Pros of a Rubio Presidency
Economic Stewardship: Critics argue that Democrats haven't efficiently balanced the deficit. Rubio has proposed fiscal policies aimed at reducing government expenditure, potentially reducing the deficit.
Incentives for Success: Some believe that Rubio's policies favor the successful and discourage wasteful spending, promoting economic growth.
Diversification of the Presidency: Having the first Hispanic Republican president could disrupt patterns of racial party alliance and stimulate balanced representation across parties.
Family Values: Rubio, a father of four, could bring a family-oriented perspective to his presidency.
Cons of a Rubio Presidency
Lack of Executive Experience: Rubio served as a Senator, but critics argue that gubernatorial experience could better prepare a candidate for the presidency.
Leadership Questions: Some critics question whether Rubio has demonstrated leadership on major issues.
Further Exploration
For more in-depth discussion and exploration of political and social issues, visit our main sites: Group Intel and Idea Stock Exchange.
# of reasons to agree: +14
# of reasons to disagree: -2
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +3
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: -0
Total Idea Score: +15
Don't like the score? It is easy to change the score. Just post a reason to agree or disagree with the overall idea, or any of the reasons and the score will change.
- Leave a comment with a link to a photo, and I'll add it.
===============================================================
Websites That Might Agree:
- The National Review
- The American Conservative
- The Daily Wire
- The Federalist
- Republican National Committee
Websites That Might Disagree:
===============================================================
Videos
- Leave a comment so I can add a reason.
===============================================================
Interest
- Judicial Balance: Supporters may desire a more balanced judiciary. They believe that after periods of liberal influence, a shift towards a conservative viewpoint is needed to maintain equilibrium.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Supporters are concerned about the national debt and its potential impacts on future generations. They trust in Rubio's proposed fiscal policies to tackle this issue effectively.
- Strong Bipartisanship: Supporters value a robust two-party system, arguing that political diversity is key to a healthy democracy. They see Rubio's potential candidacy as contributing to this dynamic.
- Diversity in Leadership: Supporters believe that leadership should reflect the nation's diversity. They see potential in candidates like Rubio to represent various communities within the country.
- Nominee Considerations: Some supporters might be deliberating over potential Republican nominees, based on their policy platforms and potential to draw a diverse electorate. They may be comparing Rubio's suitability with other potential candidates in the current political context.
Economic Stability: Supporters and critics alike share a common interest in avoiding hyperinflation. They agree on the need for economic policies that promote stability and growth.
Preparedness: Everyone desires a government that is well-prepared to handle national and international challenges. This includes everything from economic crises to public health emergencies.
Fiscal Awareness: Critics might argue for a more detailed understanding of the nation's fiscal situation. They might feel that current policies are steering the country towards a "fiscal cliff" of unsustainable debt.
Problem Recognition: Critics might also desire a more straightforward acknowledgment of the nation's problems, rather than denying or downplaying them. They may believe in confronting these issues head-on, with comprehensive plans and proactive policies.
===============================================================
Podcast
Podcast that agree: +
Podcast that disagree: -
===============================================================
Experts
Unbiased Experts who agree: +
- Paul Ryan, Former Speaker of the House and economic policy expert.
- Condoleezza Rice, Former Secretary of State and political scientist.
Unbiased Experts who disagree: -
- Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator and expert on bankruptcy law.
- Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate economist.
===============================================================
Books
Books that agree: +
- "The Way Forward: Renewing the American Idea" by Paul Ryan.
- "American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone" by Marco Rubio.
Books that disagree: -
- "Our Time Is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America" by Stacey Abrams.
- "The Fight for Fifteen: The Right Wage for a Working America" by David Rolf.
===============================================================
Miscellaneous
Related arguments:
Websites That Might Agree:
- The National Review
- The American Conservative
- The Daily Wire
- The Federalist
- Republican National Committee
Websites That Might Disagree:
a) Fundamental beliefs or principles one must reject to also reject this belief:
Pro: To support Marco Rubio as president, you may have to reject beliefs in:
- Progressive economic policies.
- Universal healthcare as a right.
- Green New Deal or equivalent radical environmental measures.
Con: To reject Rubio as president, you may have to reject beliefs in:
- Conservative economic policies.
- Limited government intervention.
- Traditional Republican stances on social issues.
b) Alternate expressions of this belief:
Pro: #Rubio2024, #MarcoForPresident, #RubioRevolution
Con: #NotMyCandidate, #AnyoneButRubio, #NoToRubio
c) Criteria to demonstrate the strength or weakness of this belief:
- Policy positions and track record: Does Rubio’s stance align with your beliefs?
- Leadership ability: Can Rubio effectively lead and make tough decisions?
- Popular opinion: What do polls say about Rubio's chances?
d) Shared interests or values with potential dissenters:
- Economic prosperity.
- National security.
- Quality education for all.
e) Key differences or obstacles:
- Economic Policy: Progressive versus conservative.
- Social Issues: Liberal versus traditional.
- Foreign Policy: Interventionist versus non-interventionist.
f) Strategies for dialogue:
- Hosting town halls for open discussions.
- Encouraging respectful debate on social media.
- Promoting evidence-based discussions over ideological beliefs.
g) Key resources to understand this topic:
- Marco Rubio's Senate voting record.
- Rubio's book "American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone."
- Analysis of Rubio's policy proposals by independent think tanks.
- Public opinion polls on Rubio's candidacy.
To further delve into pro/con analysis and collective intelligence, visit my platforms: Group Intel and Idea Stock Exchange.
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