The American Politics thread

[Ikki]

Originally Posted by Top_Cat

You did not just cite liquid crystal displays as an argument against government.

Out.

Not sure what you mean. Are you saying liquid crystal displays have come about entirely because of government? I'm no scientist, but it's pretty clear the science behind it, at least, was not derived just from government. It's just not relevant to the discussion in any case.

Also, I remember a reading list Mises.org put up re health care and Obamacare specifically, if you were interested. I am sure other sites, other people/economists have other free market opposition to it not based on simple principled outrage.

[silentstriker]

Originally Posted by Ikki

I'd be against mandatory superannuation/social security.



The way you've painted it, although I may be taking it wrongly, is a bit too simplistic. Government is just a group of elected people getting together to do something. If an activity is inherently successful on a grand scale - and it is beyond a doubt that this is beneficial as you describe - I am fairly sure individuals will voluntarily opt into such a thing. And if they don't, they won't see the benefits.

I'm talking about paying for something via general tax revenue, not individual opt ins.

[silentstriker]

Originally Posted by Ikki

Not sure what you mean. Are you saying liquid crystal displays have come about entirely because of government? I'm no scientist, but it's pretty clear the science behind it, at least, was not derived just from government. It's just not relevant to the discussion in any case.

Also, I remember a reading list Mises.org put up re health care and Obamacare specifically, if you were interested. I am sure other sites, other people/economists have other free market opposition to it not based on simple principled outrage.

The vast majority of basic scientific advancement (from cancer to particle physics) comes via government grants to researchers.

[Spark]

Yeah "pure" science is almost entirely a government funded initiative, by its very nature (being open ended and all). But the bulk of the most important discoveries come from it, often as useful byproduct.

[Redbacks]

Would people in the US have chosen to privately fund the space race through donations I wonder?

[Spark]

Well there was kind of a strategic element to the space race as well, so that might not be the most applicable example.

[silentstriker]

No. Even during the height of the space race, the support wasn't more than 50% really. Many people thought it cost way too much. And it probably did - we could have learned so much more about our solar system, our galaxy and indeed the universe with that much money. However, there is something to be said for inspiring a whole generation into math and science fields. I personally know many people in their sixties who said it was that era and the space program that got them into physics, astronomy or engineering. And a lot more people to be interested.

[silentstriker]

I think something like that will probably start again once China's space program gets more mature and they seriously start thinking about manned space flights outside of earth orbit. Maybe in fifteen or twenty years, we might be in the midst of another one. I just hope they don't cooperate too much - nothing like good old competition to get the juices flowing.

[Redbacks]

ITER - is another example of a project I don't think would ever get up without government support. In the end it could be billions of euros wasted, or the development of an almost limitless and emission free energy source.

[silentstriker]

No Ron Paul revolution at convention - James Hohmann - POLITICO.com

[Spark]

Which idiot decided it would be a great idea to schedule the convention on the Florida coast in August? Asking for it, tbh.

Will lol so hard if the hurricane seriously disrupts it.

[LongHopCassidy]

Santorum gets a speaking gig at the convention despite causing the most notable rectal tearing of the Romney campaign.

The one speech I'm determined to stream, come hell or high latency.

[Fusion]

Originally Posted by Spark

Which idiot decided it would be a great idea to schedule the convention on the Florida coast in August? Asking for it, tbh.

Will lol so hard if the hurricane seriously disrupts it.

Look, if it's a "legitimate" hurricane, the convention has a way to shut itself down and not get damaged by it.

[silentstriker]

[Agent Nationaux]

Originally Posted by Fusion

Look, if it's a "legitimate" hurricane, the convention has a way to shut itself down and not get damaged by it.

Akin should hire you as his advisor.