As reported by the Associated Press, a family court judge in Wellington, New Zealand, has made a nine-year-old girl a ward of the court so that they could change the girl’s legal name against her parents consent. On the surface, this seems like a ridiculous abuse of power and a violation of those parents rights and that girl’s liberty, all of which might actually be true. At the same time, I fully agree with it because of the details of this case, which I will lay out for you in a moment.
In the book “Freakonomics” by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner - an excellent book and an enjoyable read - they devote an entire chapter to the phenomenon of parents giving their children unusual names, and how often those names correspond to that child’s future success in life. Some of the names are just strange or incorrect spellings of common names, and in other cases they are ludicrous names like Moon Unit or Dweezil. Ultimately, through rigorous standards of analysis and compelling argument, they conclude that it is not the name that most affects the child’s future success, but that the intelligence and quality of their parents that both determines their future success and also the quality of their name. A child with well-educated parents will read to them and help them with their homework, while a child with dumb parents will feed them nothing but junk food and name them Yeah Detroit (a real example).
In this case, the New Zealand parents had named their child Talula...not so bad on its own, but wait, there’s more. He legally given name, as chosen by her parents is “Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii.” Yes, her name is actually a full sentence with a verb, a rhyme, and references to both a dance and a U.S. state.
For reasons of privacy, the last name was not released but there’s not a single name I could think of that would mitigate such an absurd first name, unless it was Rockefeller-Einstein, and then only because the wealthy and famous are often excused from the names they give their children.
A person’s name will follow them for most of their life, and can greatly affect the amount of ridicule they receive during their formative years before they themselves are allowed to change it. For that reason, I think most parents put far too little thought into the naming of their children. They pick something that will sound cute for a baby, or that honors a family member or historical figure, without really considering the fact that this child will have that name for the rest of his or her life presumably, and that it will affect how other people treat them or base their first impressions. When people go out of their way to give the child a name like the one in this case, or other real examples from New Zealand such as “Violence” and “Number 16 Bus Shelter,” that’s not merely a sign of their own need for attention or their own stupidity, it is frankly a form of child abuse. The reason parents have all the legal rights when it comes to their children, and the children have few, is because it is assumed that the parents will have better judgement. In this case, it was the opposite.
The little girl in question hated the name, and was so embarassed by it that she didn’t tell anyone what her real name was, not even her closest friends, and rather than even shortening it, she went by “K.” That’s right, she asked to be addressed by an initial and not even the one that started her name, that’s how much anguish and suffering her birth name brought her. If you were in her shoes, you would probably do the same, because unless you the most beautiful, funny, charming, and smart girl in the world, every other child would mock her real name without mercy or hesitation. In this case, the judge was protecting the girl from the shame and embarassment that her parents were causing her, and was honoring the child’s wishes, two things that I can get behind. When people talk about “activist judges” who interpret laws far beyond the mere letter, I’m reminded that there are so many ways that people can be harmed that no one would ever think to write a law for, and that real judges should be able to follow the spirit of laws when the actual laws are lacking.
Under the laws of New Zealand, Name Registration officials must reject names that would cause offense to reasonable people, such as curse or derogatory words. A name like “Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii” is offensive to me, not because of what it says, but because of what it does. It hurts this little girl who has spent nine years of her life ashamed or her own name, something that defines us in many ways. While I believe that its a precarious slope when courts are taking away the decision-making rights of parents, this is inarguably a case in which the courts did exactly the right thing and, possibly, should look into whether these parents can be trusted to raise a child. If the first and most basic decision was so disastrously wrong, chances are they’ve been making a lot of other terrible decisions when it comes to this child.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
West Wing Fantasy Camp: Things I'd Like to See Under a New Administration - #5
#5: Poll Meets Body
This November, we will stand up and be counted. Though we often speak of our Democratic values, and though we live in a Democracy, our nation is a Republic. Though rule is by the will of the people, the people rarely get to make decisions directly. Most of the time, those decisions are made by the elected representatives of the people, who are devoted to doing the work of the people in their stead while the people live their lives. It is a noble system, and though flawed, has seen no greater alternative in the modern world.
Since the people are not voting on every bill, every act, every decision, it is vitally important that their votes for candidates be counted accurately because the winner of the election will essentially hold the voting power of all their constituents for a number of years. Unfortunately, even in our great democratic republic, voting irregularities happen far too frequently, as well documented in the 2000 Presidential election, and to a lesser extent in the 2004 Presidential election and other state and local elections. After those problems arose, several actions were taken to improve the system nationwide, including the passage of the Help America Vote Act in 2002. Of course, problems still exist and it is vitally important that this issue not be forgotten, because even though we face war, economic strife, global climate change, and other serious issues, all of those issues are affected by the outcomes of our elections.
In the Presidential election of 2000, had the Supreme Court not put a stop to the recount in Florida, Al Gore would have become President, and the state of our nation and global affairs would be vastly different. Regardless of politics, though, the more troubling affect of this problem is that even if the will of the people is done and the right candidate wins, voting irregularities call into question the legitimacy of our elected officials and thus create divisions in our society and corresponding instability. If people believe our elections are rigged or manipulated, it destroys faith in the system, discourages voter turnout, and adversely affects the health of our democracy.
If our nation is truly to be of the people, by the people, and for the people, then surely it is necessary that we make sure the people are involved and accurately represented. At present only around 70 percent of eligible voters are even registered to vote, and often these numbers are disproportionate based on age, race, and region. The number one priority should be to get more people involved in our democracy. The so-called Moter Voter bill helped to make voter registration easier for many Americans, but more should be done, including voter registration drives, voter education campaigns, and actively going into schools and communities to register voters. In addition, there should be greater efforts on the part of communities to inform voters of when and where elections take place, and provide non-partisan information on the candidates running and the process of voting. If we can get millions of people to a blockbuster movie on opening day with ads a year in advance, surely we can get them to their local polling place for a few minutes on election day.
Despite 70 percent of eligible voters being registered, only approximately 45-65 percent of eligible voters turn up to vote, with midterm elections and local elections attracting far fewer voters than Presidential elections. That means that if a candidate wins with 51 percent of the vote, they only have the confirmed support of 25-30 percent of the adult population. That’s not a mandate or rule by the majority, it is hardly even a victory. Not only do people need to be informed about elections and encouraged to go, but obstacles to their voting need to be removed. Many people are discouraged by having to wait in long lines at their polling places for an hour or more due to a shortage of voting machines and qualified personnel. Some people lack transportation to their polling place. Both of these problems can be remedied through drives for volunteers, and through an investment in in election infrastructure. Employers should also be encouraged to give employees paid time off to vote during the work day.
Its not simply a matter of getting more people out to vote, though. Each state and each precinct may follow slightly different protocols and use different voting equipment. Voter databases often contain errors, and don’t always track when people move or when felons return to society and are supposed to have their voting rights restored. Some ballots have a confusing or misleading layout, while many electronic voting methods have security flaws or lack a meaningful method for recounts. Add to this the confusion caused by early voting which often means that those voting early are basing their choice on more limited information than those voting on election day, and the fact that absentee ballots are more likely to be tampered with, can be lost in transit, and in some precincts are not even counted unless a recount is ordered or election results are narrow.
There needs to be a nationwide move to overhaul the system, making sure that all precincts have enough equipment and equipment of the highest caliber. There also needs to be better fraud prevention and election monitoring, and greater standardization of how elections are run in each state so that a person voting in Alabama has the same ease and security as a person voting in Washington state, and that all votes are equally accurate. On top of this, its necessary to discourage fraud by actively investigating and prosecuting it when it happens. All of this seems like common sense, and yet it is not being aggressively pursued, and the health of our democracy is suffering for it.
First and foremost, we must have a system for elections that is beyond reproach. We must then inform our citizenry through every means we have, in every medium, and with regularity on everything from how to register, how to vote, and when votes are scheduled. At school, at work, and in the public sphere, people should be encouraged to follow election politics and make the effort to inform themselves and go vote. There should be an easily accessible and nationwide voter database regularly updated so that no one who is eligible is ever prevented from voting, and so that when they arrive at their polling place they are able to do so with no difficulty. Each polling place should have the most secure and accurate voting machines available, and enough to meet the needs of their populace, so that lines are short and waits minimal, allowing people to vote at their leisure during their busy lives. They should be encouraged to vote in person on election day unless absolutely necessary to vote absentee, and then those votes need to be counted and protected from fraud. Additionally, there must be election monitors and trained personnel at every polling place to ensure everything is handled properly and efficiently, and if any irregularities appear or dirty tactics are used to discourage people from voting, they need to be aggressively investigated.
All of this will require money, dedicated people, and the leadership of a new President, untainted by shady politics. None of this is beyond our capability, and if we truly wish to model Democracy for the rest of the world, this is where it must begin.
This November, we will stand up and be counted. Though we often speak of our Democratic values, and though we live in a Democracy, our nation is a Republic. Though rule is by the will of the people, the people rarely get to make decisions directly. Most of the time, those decisions are made by the elected representatives of the people, who are devoted to doing the work of the people in their stead while the people live their lives. It is a noble system, and though flawed, has seen no greater alternative in the modern world.
Since the people are not voting on every bill, every act, every decision, it is vitally important that their votes for candidates be counted accurately because the winner of the election will essentially hold the voting power of all their constituents for a number of years. Unfortunately, even in our great democratic republic, voting irregularities happen far too frequently, as well documented in the 2000 Presidential election, and to a lesser extent in the 2004 Presidential election and other state and local elections. After those problems arose, several actions were taken to improve the system nationwide, including the passage of the Help America Vote Act in 2002. Of course, problems still exist and it is vitally important that this issue not be forgotten, because even though we face war, economic strife, global climate change, and other serious issues, all of those issues are affected by the outcomes of our elections.
In the Presidential election of 2000, had the Supreme Court not put a stop to the recount in Florida, Al Gore would have become President, and the state of our nation and global affairs would be vastly different. Regardless of politics, though, the more troubling affect of this problem is that even if the will of the people is done and the right candidate wins, voting irregularities call into question the legitimacy of our elected officials and thus create divisions in our society and corresponding instability. If people believe our elections are rigged or manipulated, it destroys faith in the system, discourages voter turnout, and adversely affects the health of our democracy.
If our nation is truly to be of the people, by the people, and for the people, then surely it is necessary that we make sure the people are involved and accurately represented. At present only around 70 percent of eligible voters are even registered to vote, and often these numbers are disproportionate based on age, race, and region. The number one priority should be to get more people involved in our democracy. The so-called Moter Voter bill helped to make voter registration easier for many Americans, but more should be done, including voter registration drives, voter education campaigns, and actively going into schools and communities to register voters. In addition, there should be greater efforts on the part of communities to inform voters of when and where elections take place, and provide non-partisan information on the candidates running and the process of voting. If we can get millions of people to a blockbuster movie on opening day with ads a year in advance, surely we can get them to their local polling place for a few minutes on election day.
Despite 70 percent of eligible voters being registered, only approximately 45-65 percent of eligible voters turn up to vote, with midterm elections and local elections attracting far fewer voters than Presidential elections. That means that if a candidate wins with 51 percent of the vote, they only have the confirmed support of 25-30 percent of the adult population. That’s not a mandate or rule by the majority, it is hardly even a victory. Not only do people need to be informed about elections and encouraged to go, but obstacles to their voting need to be removed. Many people are discouraged by having to wait in long lines at their polling places for an hour or more due to a shortage of voting machines and qualified personnel. Some people lack transportation to their polling place. Both of these problems can be remedied through drives for volunteers, and through an investment in in election infrastructure. Employers should also be encouraged to give employees paid time off to vote during the work day.
Its not simply a matter of getting more people out to vote, though. Each state and each precinct may follow slightly different protocols and use different voting equipment. Voter databases often contain errors, and don’t always track when people move or when felons return to society and are supposed to have their voting rights restored. Some ballots have a confusing or misleading layout, while many electronic voting methods have security flaws or lack a meaningful method for recounts. Add to this the confusion caused by early voting which often means that those voting early are basing their choice on more limited information than those voting on election day, and the fact that absentee ballots are more likely to be tampered with, can be lost in transit, and in some precincts are not even counted unless a recount is ordered or election results are narrow.
There needs to be a nationwide move to overhaul the system, making sure that all precincts have enough equipment and equipment of the highest caliber. There also needs to be better fraud prevention and election monitoring, and greater standardization of how elections are run in each state so that a person voting in Alabama has the same ease and security as a person voting in Washington state, and that all votes are equally accurate. On top of this, its necessary to discourage fraud by actively investigating and prosecuting it when it happens. All of this seems like common sense, and yet it is not being aggressively pursued, and the health of our democracy is suffering for it.
First and foremost, we must have a system for elections that is beyond reproach. We must then inform our citizenry through every means we have, in every medium, and with regularity on everything from how to register, how to vote, and when votes are scheduled. At school, at work, and in the public sphere, people should be encouraged to follow election politics and make the effort to inform themselves and go vote. There should be an easily accessible and nationwide voter database regularly updated so that no one who is eligible is ever prevented from voting, and so that when they arrive at their polling place they are able to do so with no difficulty. Each polling place should have the most secure and accurate voting machines available, and enough to meet the needs of their populace, so that lines are short and waits minimal, allowing people to vote at their leisure during their busy lives. They should be encouraged to vote in person on election day unless absolutely necessary to vote absentee, and then those votes need to be counted and protected from fraud. Additionally, there must be election monitors and trained personnel at every polling place to ensure everything is handled properly and efficiently, and if any irregularities appear or dirty tactics are used to discourage people from voting, they need to be aggressively investigated.
All of this will require money, dedicated people, and the leadership of a new President, untainted by shady politics. None of this is beyond our capability, and if we truly wish to model Democracy for the rest of the world, this is where it must begin.
Monday, July 21, 2008
West Wing Fantasy Camp: Things I'd Like to See Under a New Administration - #4
#4: Fourth Estate of Mind
Much has been made about the state of our press. Even in the time of Jefferson, newspapers were often thought of as sensationalist exploiters and manipulators, more concerned with circulation than verification. Despite all its faults, though, even these detractors knew that when the press was at its best it was the most effective means of uncovering and disseminating information to the public. So valued was this capability that it was protected in the First Amendment to the Constitution, often thought of as the highest ideal of American Freedom.
Though the medium has changed, its value has not. Radio, television, blogs, all of them have added to the forms through which the press operates. 24 hours a day their eyes are watchful, always looking for the cracks that need exposing. Often thought of as the fourth branch of our government, they serve as a check on not only our politicians, but on every facet of our society.
That is, of course, when they are at their best. To cast such a wide net, to cover so much area and so much information, requires a wealth of diligence, funding, and personnel. As such, corners are cut and costs considered. Some stories go uncovered and others oversimplified to make for easier marketing, and always, information is not just the product but is proprietary: the means to making money. In this competitive landscape where the scoop, the exclusive, is what stands between excellence and the also-rans, access is valued like solid gold.
Reporters know that to be successful, they have to be on the inside. Politicians and celebrities have used that to their advantage, opening their doors to those who offer favorable coverage and closing the doors to those that don’t. Nowhere is this more pronounced and more concerning is in the White House. This administration has been notorious for their manipulation of the press corp, keeping them always at arms length and providing exclusives to only the softest of inquisitors.
The results are obvious. In the run-up to the war in Iraq, the press was complicit in perpetrating a fraud on the American people. Each justification for war was covered without critical examination, a trend that since September 11th had followed the notion that you cannot question your Commander-in-Chief in times of war and still be called a patriot. For this reason, the majority of Americans believed that Saddam Hussein had WMD, that he’d colluded with Al Qaeda in planning those terrorist attacks on our soil, and that diplomacy had been exhausted. With this public support, George Bush steamrolled the Congress and took us into an unnecessary and detrimental war that we have still not completed. So effective was the press’s complicity that even after all those statements had been proven false, most of the public still believed it.
Things have improved somewhat since then, but the fact is that the press, in order to do its job effectively, needs unfettered access and opportunity. A new President can improve both the image of his office and the state of our press by treating them not as a hostile opponent, but as a necessary and valuable conduit to the American people; not just as a means to convey a message but as a voice for the people to power. Instead of merely sending the Press Secretary to hold the press at bay, the President should meet regularly with press to take questions and discuss issues. These press conferences shouldn’t be held only when the President has some initiative to put forward, but at regular intervals so that he is always aware of what matters are important to his constituents and so that the press can always ask what it needs to ask.
The President should also use his time with the media to discuss policy and matters of public importance, and not as opportunities to promote their own public image. If the only question that will be asked is what they are doing for the holidays or which team they are rooting for, that time can be better spent. Above all, the President should not pick and choose who gets access by who gives favorable coverage. If a journalist is responsible, is diligent in seeking the truth, and honest in their reporting, then they should be given access.
It can no longer be acceptable to treat responsible journalists as purveyors of bias, or to demand that all sides of an argument be given equal weight regardless of veracity. When the media is treated as the enemy, the quality of reporting will suffer, and irrespective of whether the truth is told, the public will not believe them. A new administration must work with the press; not around them or coercively with them. Just as our government works best when all three branches are at full strength, so too must the fourth estate be allowed to serve its function, so that in all respects the truth may keep us free.
Much has been made about the state of our press. Even in the time of Jefferson, newspapers were often thought of as sensationalist exploiters and manipulators, more concerned with circulation than verification. Despite all its faults, though, even these detractors knew that when the press was at its best it was the most effective means of uncovering and disseminating information to the public. So valued was this capability that it was protected in the First Amendment to the Constitution, often thought of as the highest ideal of American Freedom.
Though the medium has changed, its value has not. Radio, television, blogs, all of them have added to the forms through which the press operates. 24 hours a day their eyes are watchful, always looking for the cracks that need exposing. Often thought of as the fourth branch of our government, they serve as a check on not only our politicians, but on every facet of our society.
That is, of course, when they are at their best. To cast such a wide net, to cover so much area and so much information, requires a wealth of diligence, funding, and personnel. As such, corners are cut and costs considered. Some stories go uncovered and others oversimplified to make for easier marketing, and always, information is not just the product but is proprietary: the means to making money. In this competitive landscape where the scoop, the exclusive, is what stands between excellence and the also-rans, access is valued like solid gold.
Reporters know that to be successful, they have to be on the inside. Politicians and celebrities have used that to their advantage, opening their doors to those who offer favorable coverage and closing the doors to those that don’t. Nowhere is this more pronounced and more concerning is in the White House. This administration has been notorious for their manipulation of the press corp, keeping them always at arms length and providing exclusives to only the softest of inquisitors.
The results are obvious. In the run-up to the war in Iraq, the press was complicit in perpetrating a fraud on the American people. Each justification for war was covered without critical examination, a trend that since September 11th had followed the notion that you cannot question your Commander-in-Chief in times of war and still be called a patriot. For this reason, the majority of Americans believed that Saddam Hussein had WMD, that he’d colluded with Al Qaeda in planning those terrorist attacks on our soil, and that diplomacy had been exhausted. With this public support, George Bush steamrolled the Congress and took us into an unnecessary and detrimental war that we have still not completed. So effective was the press’s complicity that even after all those statements had been proven false, most of the public still believed it.
Things have improved somewhat since then, but the fact is that the press, in order to do its job effectively, needs unfettered access and opportunity. A new President can improve both the image of his office and the state of our press by treating them not as a hostile opponent, but as a necessary and valuable conduit to the American people; not just as a means to convey a message but as a voice for the people to power. Instead of merely sending the Press Secretary to hold the press at bay, the President should meet regularly with press to take questions and discuss issues. These press conferences shouldn’t be held only when the President has some initiative to put forward, but at regular intervals so that he is always aware of what matters are important to his constituents and so that the press can always ask what it needs to ask.
The President should also use his time with the media to discuss policy and matters of public importance, and not as opportunities to promote their own public image. If the only question that will be asked is what they are doing for the holidays or which team they are rooting for, that time can be better spent. Above all, the President should not pick and choose who gets access by who gives favorable coverage. If a journalist is responsible, is diligent in seeking the truth, and honest in their reporting, then they should be given access.
It can no longer be acceptable to treat responsible journalists as purveyors of bias, or to demand that all sides of an argument be given equal weight regardless of veracity. When the media is treated as the enemy, the quality of reporting will suffer, and irrespective of whether the truth is told, the public will not believe them. A new administration must work with the press; not around them or coercively with them. Just as our government works best when all three branches are at full strength, so too must the fourth estate be allowed to serve its function, so that in all respects the truth may keep us free.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
West Wing Fantasy Camp: Things I'd Like to See under a New Administration - #3
#3: Trump Le Monde
For now, the United States is the richest country in the world. For now, these United States are the most powerful nation in the world. For now, this country is the sole superpower. However, these often criticized and sometimes disputed superlatives aren’t permanent. With the decline of the dollar, the rise of China, and our overall loss of status in the global community, its not long before we are just one of many wealthy and influential nations bucking for advantage in an overcrowded field. How do we stop from being yesterday’s news, the “once was” or “used to be” of foreign affairs?
Prior to World War II, the United States wasn’t the unequaled powerhouse that we have taken for granted it should be. We had a great deal of influence in the world, but much of the world was still run by Old World powers holding sway across multiple continents. Our economy was in depression, and there were still strong political, ethnic, racial, gender, and financial divisions amongst our citizenry. Trade was imbalanced and many in the United States were happy to ignore the rest of the world’s troubles after the toll it had taken during The Great War.
Needless to say, even then the world was shrinking, and the trouble’s of foreign shores were to wash onto ours regardless of our feelings. Though it took convincing, the United States stepped out. Within only a few years, our mediocre military was built into an unrivaled force with hundreds of thousands of airplanes, armadas of warships, and well armed and armored soldiers from every walk of life. While fighting a war on two major fronts, across three continents and the air and sea around them, our country rallied its industries to supply the war effort. When the war ended, not only did our country have greater internal unity and identity, but our nation had been turned from an isolationist one in economic depression to the rich and powerful savior of world democracy.
With post-war Europe in ruins, and much of the world in post-colonial transition, the United States took the lead in International Affairs. We helped to create the United Nations, and the Marshall Plan provided funds to rebuild Europe, funding which was never expected to be repaid. In the ensuing cold war, we provided financial aid around the world to protect allies from the influence of the USSR and destabilizing effects of poverty. For a time, our help was appreciated and helped to reorder the world so much so that even our former enemies Germany and Japan could grow into competitive economic powers.
During the cold war, though, with each passing year a greater percentage of our money was spent on our arsenal of advanced weapons and less was spent in foreign aid, and even that was often given for military defense and to countries that were most important strategically against the Soviets. In the past 40 years, of even the money we’ve promised in foreign aid, we’ve delivered less than 50 percent. As of last year, 2007, the United States gave out 21 billion dollars which is twice as much as the next on the list, Germany; but in terms of a percentage of our Gross National Income, we are well at the bottom of the list of western democracies. As Germany gives 11 billion in foreign aid, that amounts to 3 times as much as us in terms of GNI. Nations such as Norway which have much less money than the United States still give a larger percentage than the United States.
Clearly, its not merely an issue of how much we give, but where our priorities lie. When only .16 percent of the money we have goes to help foreign nations, it demonstrates a disregard for the rest of the world’s problems, which in time will become our problems. Right now, both our military and financial assets are tied up in two major wars, one greatly necessary and the other of both questionable motive and execution. Had we not undertaken the war in Iraq, major combat operations may have been completed in Afghanistan, and our assets would be free to tackle other problems in the world. While our focus has been on these two nations, political unrest has continued in South America and Africa; genocide has been allowed to occur in violation of stated goals of the United Nations; North Korea has developed nuclear weapons and elsewhere nuclear weapons have been allowed to proliferate; and countless people around the world have been exploited by the very nations that wish to usurp our position atop the International hierarchy.
Change is coming, and we are not prepared for it. As we’ve seen, strife elsewhere in the world will reach our shores, and though we cannot always fight our enemies “over there,” we certainly must stem the problems where they arise because they will become our problems later when it is far more costly in resources and lives to fix it. We must increase our diplomatic presence in other nations, specifically in those we think of as hostile. We must develop a foreign policy approach that uses the might of our force to encourage discussion rather than to force our will at the barrel of a gun. Economic resources must be used to help impoverished nations enter the global marketplace without exploiting their own people, and so that all people of the world can be fed and educated to be responsible world citizens. With other powerful nations, we have to coordinate our influence and resources to bring rogue nations to the light to prevent conflict.
This requires a variety of tactics and approaches, but mostly it requires the kind of leadership and goodwill that was evident after World War II. A greater amount of aid must be given to foreign countries, and allocated not just for defense or to countries that serve our own national interest. It is to our advantage that nations not wallow in poverty, because those nations become breeding grounds for extremism. It is to our advantage that nations have the financial resources to improve their infrastructure, because then they will be able to build their own economy and provide us with new markets. It is also to our advantage that developing nations have the wealth to undertake costly improvements such as building rail lines and renewable power plants, because relying on their own coal and oil will lead to greater damage to our own environment.
We need to take charge globally again, and not in the way we have been in the recent past. The United States needs to take the lead on climate change, on human rights, on nuclear disarmament, on democratic and economic reforms, and most certainly on matters of international cooperation. In addition to greater and better-designated financial aid, we also need to work with our allies to provide people on the ground in areas to assist in peacekeeping operations, public works projects, and in election monitoring. Step one of this whole process should be a national effort to increase participation in and funding of the Peace Corps and other organizations that provide targeted assistance outside our borders. Though our image has been tarnished, it is the Americans digging wells and building literal bridges that remind the world that we are the good guys.
For now, the United States is the richest country in the world. For now, these United States are the most powerful nation in the world. For now, this country is the sole superpower. However, these often criticized and sometimes disputed superlatives aren’t permanent. With the decline of the dollar, the rise of China, and our overall loss of status in the global community, its not long before we are just one of many wealthy and influential nations bucking for advantage in an overcrowded field. How do we stop from being yesterday’s news, the “once was” or “used to be” of foreign affairs?
Prior to World War II, the United States wasn’t the unequaled powerhouse that we have taken for granted it should be. We had a great deal of influence in the world, but much of the world was still run by Old World powers holding sway across multiple continents. Our economy was in depression, and there were still strong political, ethnic, racial, gender, and financial divisions amongst our citizenry. Trade was imbalanced and many in the United States were happy to ignore the rest of the world’s troubles after the toll it had taken during The Great War.
Needless to say, even then the world was shrinking, and the trouble’s of foreign shores were to wash onto ours regardless of our feelings. Though it took convincing, the United States stepped out. Within only a few years, our mediocre military was built into an unrivaled force with hundreds of thousands of airplanes, armadas of warships, and well armed and armored soldiers from every walk of life. While fighting a war on two major fronts, across three continents and the air and sea around them, our country rallied its industries to supply the war effort. When the war ended, not only did our country have greater internal unity and identity, but our nation had been turned from an isolationist one in economic depression to the rich and powerful savior of world democracy.
With post-war Europe in ruins, and much of the world in post-colonial transition, the United States took the lead in International Affairs. We helped to create the United Nations, and the Marshall Plan provided funds to rebuild Europe, funding which was never expected to be repaid. In the ensuing cold war, we provided financial aid around the world to protect allies from the influence of the USSR and destabilizing effects of poverty. For a time, our help was appreciated and helped to reorder the world so much so that even our former enemies Germany and Japan could grow into competitive economic powers.
During the cold war, though, with each passing year a greater percentage of our money was spent on our arsenal of advanced weapons and less was spent in foreign aid, and even that was often given for military defense and to countries that were most important strategically against the Soviets. In the past 40 years, of even the money we’ve promised in foreign aid, we’ve delivered less than 50 percent. As of last year, 2007, the United States gave out 21 billion dollars which is twice as much as the next on the list, Germany; but in terms of a percentage of our Gross National Income, we are well at the bottom of the list of western democracies. As Germany gives 11 billion in foreign aid, that amounts to 3 times as much as us in terms of GNI. Nations such as Norway which have much less money than the United States still give a larger percentage than the United States.
Clearly, its not merely an issue of how much we give, but where our priorities lie. When only .16 percent of the money we have goes to help foreign nations, it demonstrates a disregard for the rest of the world’s problems, which in time will become our problems. Right now, both our military and financial assets are tied up in two major wars, one greatly necessary and the other of both questionable motive and execution. Had we not undertaken the war in Iraq, major combat operations may have been completed in Afghanistan, and our assets would be free to tackle other problems in the world. While our focus has been on these two nations, political unrest has continued in South America and Africa; genocide has been allowed to occur in violation of stated goals of the United Nations; North Korea has developed nuclear weapons and elsewhere nuclear weapons have been allowed to proliferate; and countless people around the world have been exploited by the very nations that wish to usurp our position atop the International hierarchy.
Change is coming, and we are not prepared for it. As we’ve seen, strife elsewhere in the world will reach our shores, and though we cannot always fight our enemies “over there,” we certainly must stem the problems where they arise because they will become our problems later when it is far more costly in resources and lives to fix it. We must increase our diplomatic presence in other nations, specifically in those we think of as hostile. We must develop a foreign policy approach that uses the might of our force to encourage discussion rather than to force our will at the barrel of a gun. Economic resources must be used to help impoverished nations enter the global marketplace without exploiting their own people, and so that all people of the world can be fed and educated to be responsible world citizens. With other powerful nations, we have to coordinate our influence and resources to bring rogue nations to the light to prevent conflict.
This requires a variety of tactics and approaches, but mostly it requires the kind of leadership and goodwill that was evident after World War II. A greater amount of aid must be given to foreign countries, and allocated not just for defense or to countries that serve our own national interest. It is to our advantage that nations not wallow in poverty, because those nations become breeding grounds for extremism. It is to our advantage that nations have the financial resources to improve their infrastructure, because then they will be able to build their own economy and provide us with new markets. It is also to our advantage that developing nations have the wealth to undertake costly improvements such as building rail lines and renewable power plants, because relying on their own coal and oil will lead to greater damage to our own environment.
We need to take charge globally again, and not in the way we have been in the recent past. The United States needs to take the lead on climate change, on human rights, on nuclear disarmament, on democratic and economic reforms, and most certainly on matters of international cooperation. In addition to greater and better-designated financial aid, we also need to work with our allies to provide people on the ground in areas to assist in peacekeeping operations, public works projects, and in election monitoring. Step one of this whole process should be a national effort to increase participation in and funding of the Peace Corps and other organizations that provide targeted assistance outside our borders. Though our image has been tarnished, it is the Americans digging wells and building literal bridges that remind the world that we are the good guys.
Friday, July 18, 2008
West Wing Fantasy Camp: Things I'd Like to See under a New Administration - #2
#2: Won’t Get Schooled Again
Education can be the silver bullet. It’s the rising tide that lifts all boats. It’s the “opportunity” proceeding our “land of.” We have made great strides in this country, from an agrarian society with limited and localized education, to a system in which every child is not only able but required to have years of free education, and then the opportunity to go to colleges and universities which are the envy of much of the world. An educated populace is more engaged in elections, is better equipped to find well-paying jobs, is better able to create and develop new technologies and ideas, and less likely to turn to crime or fanaticism.
Yet, with each passing year, our student’s test scores, knowledge, and competitiveness decline. It’s an international punchline how little most Americans know about the rest of the world, or even our own history. Jay Leno makes hay of it on his mediocre talk show as each person laughs at someone who’s, frankly, no dumber than they are. Are American’s inherently dumber?
No, of course not. We are just as smart, just as clever, and even with our educational system in disarray we still spearhead some the greatest innovations in technology, entertainment, and science. The troubling signs of our diminishing returns, though, is all around us. People from around the globe used to flock to the United States to be educated and work in our superior industries.
Now, they flock elsewhere, and the American economy struggles as innovation declines. The best new cars are being designed in Japan, the biggest scientific breakthroughs coming out of Europe, and profitable green technologies being advanced almost anywhere but here. We’ve become a nation of the status quo. Where once we reached for the stars, we now strive to simply pass muster. No matter what it may say on the report cards we write, we are a nation of C students.
Is it any wonder, though? The base education of our populace, the foundation upon which all future character and knowledge is formed, is paid for with a paltry 70 Billion Dollars by the federal government, and then supplemented by local taxes which, in many of the poorest areas amount to very little. Compare this to the 500 Billion Dollars which we spend on defense, which then ends up being much higher when additional appropriations are added throughout the year, especially in this time of war. Of course, it is necessary to defend our freedoms and our country, but what kind of country is being left behind?
Money is not enough, however, to fix this problem. It takes commitment, and a real understanding of what is necessary. Tens of thousands of dollars are being spent per student, but much of that money and much of our classroom time is being mishandled and misappropriated. George W. Bush tried to make a symbolic move on the issue, back when he misleadingly labeled himself the “education President” before labeling himself even more misleadingly a “war Presdient.” The so-called “No Child Left Behind” law placed school districts under increased pressure to achieve on standardized tests or face a loss of already low funds. In return, the Bush administration didn’t even pay to fund the initiative.
So what is necessary? A lot. Firstly, a massive reorganization of the way schools are funded and held accountable. Money needs to go to educational necessities first and foremost, not to new sports equipment or administrator salaries. While sports and extra curricular activities are an important part of education, they shouldn’t get funding priority or Algebra and History. There needs to be greater involvement at the federal level to help insure that schools can collectively pool their resources when possible, and that there is not disparity between the education received in a rich district versus a poor one.
The solution to this last problem offered by the Republican party as been something called “school-vouchers.” Essentially, this would allow some students to receive money from the government to go towards paying for a private education if their public school is lacking. Where would this money come from?
Well, it would come out of the education budget, meaning that these students would be leaving their schools for supposedly greener pastures, and their former classmates would now have less money for their own educations. The problems, of course, are that this system would benefit only a few at the detriment of others; a sick reversal of the American ideal. Also, this assumes that private education is better, and while private schools tend to have smaller class sizes and better order, the education they provide is comparable to public education as far as test results go. Finally, due to the nature of the free market that these same Republicans think can solve all problems, as more students try to attend these private schools, demand for the limited spots will become greater and tuition will rise accordingly, meaning that these vouchers may not cover the costs and, if they do, will cost the government even more money that they will take away from public education.
So, we need to focus on repairing the system, and not on providing an out for only a few students. Another major step that needs to be taken is improvement in education infrastructure. Some schools end up sending children home early when it gets too cold in the winter or warm in the spring, all because they don’t have proper heating and air conditioning. Student projects are hindered by a limited and outdated library, or a lack of computers in the classrooms. Poorly maintained facilities also create an environment in which students feel like school is unimportant, boring, or just another obstacle to be waited through.
Once the buildings are better, they need to be filled with proper educators. Many teachers in our public school system don’t have degrees in the subjects they are teaching, and some teachers who have lost their effectiveness remain in place. The reason for this lowered standard is that there are too few people going into the field, and the reason for that is that educators are paid too little. A person who’s good in math would make more as a financial analyst than as a geometry teacher, so why would they choose the latter? Teaching positions should be highly valued and highly competitive. They should receive the respect of Generals and they pay of Wall Street traders. The best and the brightest should be recruited to pass on that knowledge and skill to the next generation.
In addition, there should be greater opportunity for all people, regardless of income, to further their education beyond high school. Publicly financed colleges and post-graduate schools should be available to those with limited financial means. The impoverished will always remain impoverished when they can’t get jobs that require a college degree without taking on massive loans that they may not be able to repay.
This will take guts, and the strong leadership that only a President can provide for this nation. Someone bold and brave enough to suggest seemingly radical ideas, such as year-round schooling, which would also take the financial burden off of parents who work during the summer and have to pay for child care. Lengthening the school day, so that more subjects can be taught in greater depth, rather than rushed in half-hour installments between gym, lunch, and assemblies. There should also be a greater focus on Socratic teaching methods that encourage students to explore, discuss, and tackle issues on their own rather than simply memorizing dates and facts for a standardized test; facts and dates that will soon be forgotten without any broader understanding.
It's time for a revolution in American education, to make us not only competitive, but the envy of the world. Other countries should look to our system for emulation. With a better educated populace, our industry and economy would again become dominant in this quickly changing global society, and here at home, we wouldn’t have to overcome the constant challenge of a divided political system where the weak and dumb can be tricked into voting for things with easy and comforting lies. If you need proof, look up the number of people who still believe Barack Obama is a muslim despite constant rebuttal, or that Saddam Hussein was involved with the attacks on September 11th despite all evidence to the contrary, or the shocking number of people who still believe that the universe is only 6,000 years old and science is somehow contrary to faith.
Education can be the silver bullet. It’s the rising tide that lifts all boats. It’s the “opportunity” proceeding our “land of.” We have made great strides in this country, from an agrarian society with limited and localized education, to a system in which every child is not only able but required to have years of free education, and then the opportunity to go to colleges and universities which are the envy of much of the world. An educated populace is more engaged in elections, is better equipped to find well-paying jobs, is better able to create and develop new technologies and ideas, and less likely to turn to crime or fanaticism.
Yet, with each passing year, our student’s test scores, knowledge, and competitiveness decline. It’s an international punchline how little most Americans know about the rest of the world, or even our own history. Jay Leno makes hay of it on his mediocre talk show as each person laughs at someone who’s, frankly, no dumber than they are. Are American’s inherently dumber?
No, of course not. We are just as smart, just as clever, and even with our educational system in disarray we still spearhead some the greatest innovations in technology, entertainment, and science. The troubling signs of our diminishing returns, though, is all around us. People from around the globe used to flock to the United States to be educated and work in our superior industries.
Now, they flock elsewhere, and the American economy struggles as innovation declines. The best new cars are being designed in Japan, the biggest scientific breakthroughs coming out of Europe, and profitable green technologies being advanced almost anywhere but here. We’ve become a nation of the status quo. Where once we reached for the stars, we now strive to simply pass muster. No matter what it may say on the report cards we write, we are a nation of C students.
Is it any wonder, though? The base education of our populace, the foundation upon which all future character and knowledge is formed, is paid for with a paltry 70 Billion Dollars by the federal government, and then supplemented by local taxes which, in many of the poorest areas amount to very little. Compare this to the 500 Billion Dollars which we spend on defense, which then ends up being much higher when additional appropriations are added throughout the year, especially in this time of war. Of course, it is necessary to defend our freedoms and our country, but what kind of country is being left behind?
Money is not enough, however, to fix this problem. It takes commitment, and a real understanding of what is necessary. Tens of thousands of dollars are being spent per student, but much of that money and much of our classroom time is being mishandled and misappropriated. George W. Bush tried to make a symbolic move on the issue, back when he misleadingly labeled himself the “education President” before labeling himself even more misleadingly a “war Presdient.” The so-called “No Child Left Behind” law placed school districts under increased pressure to achieve on standardized tests or face a loss of already low funds. In return, the Bush administration didn’t even pay to fund the initiative.
So what is necessary? A lot. Firstly, a massive reorganization of the way schools are funded and held accountable. Money needs to go to educational necessities first and foremost, not to new sports equipment or administrator salaries. While sports and extra curricular activities are an important part of education, they shouldn’t get funding priority or Algebra and History. There needs to be greater involvement at the federal level to help insure that schools can collectively pool their resources when possible, and that there is not disparity between the education received in a rich district versus a poor one.
The solution to this last problem offered by the Republican party as been something called “school-vouchers.” Essentially, this would allow some students to receive money from the government to go towards paying for a private education if their public school is lacking. Where would this money come from?
Well, it would come out of the education budget, meaning that these students would be leaving their schools for supposedly greener pastures, and their former classmates would now have less money for their own educations. The problems, of course, are that this system would benefit only a few at the detriment of others; a sick reversal of the American ideal. Also, this assumes that private education is better, and while private schools tend to have smaller class sizes and better order, the education they provide is comparable to public education as far as test results go. Finally, due to the nature of the free market that these same Republicans think can solve all problems, as more students try to attend these private schools, demand for the limited spots will become greater and tuition will rise accordingly, meaning that these vouchers may not cover the costs and, if they do, will cost the government even more money that they will take away from public education.
So, we need to focus on repairing the system, and not on providing an out for only a few students. Another major step that needs to be taken is improvement in education infrastructure. Some schools end up sending children home early when it gets too cold in the winter or warm in the spring, all because they don’t have proper heating and air conditioning. Student projects are hindered by a limited and outdated library, or a lack of computers in the classrooms. Poorly maintained facilities also create an environment in which students feel like school is unimportant, boring, or just another obstacle to be waited through.
Once the buildings are better, they need to be filled with proper educators. Many teachers in our public school system don’t have degrees in the subjects they are teaching, and some teachers who have lost their effectiveness remain in place. The reason for this lowered standard is that there are too few people going into the field, and the reason for that is that educators are paid too little. A person who’s good in math would make more as a financial analyst than as a geometry teacher, so why would they choose the latter? Teaching positions should be highly valued and highly competitive. They should receive the respect of Generals and they pay of Wall Street traders. The best and the brightest should be recruited to pass on that knowledge and skill to the next generation.
In addition, there should be greater opportunity for all people, regardless of income, to further their education beyond high school. Publicly financed colleges and post-graduate schools should be available to those with limited financial means. The impoverished will always remain impoverished when they can’t get jobs that require a college degree without taking on massive loans that they may not be able to repay.
This will take guts, and the strong leadership that only a President can provide for this nation. Someone bold and brave enough to suggest seemingly radical ideas, such as year-round schooling, which would also take the financial burden off of parents who work during the summer and have to pay for child care. Lengthening the school day, so that more subjects can be taught in greater depth, rather than rushed in half-hour installments between gym, lunch, and assemblies. There should also be a greater focus on Socratic teaching methods that encourage students to explore, discuss, and tackle issues on their own rather than simply memorizing dates and facts for a standardized test; facts and dates that will soon be forgotten without any broader understanding.
It's time for a revolution in American education, to make us not only competitive, but the envy of the world. Other countries should look to our system for emulation. With a better educated populace, our industry and economy would again become dominant in this quickly changing global society, and here at home, we wouldn’t have to overcome the constant challenge of a divided political system where the weak and dumb can be tricked into voting for things with easy and comforting lies. If you need proof, look up the number of people who still believe Barack Obama is a muslim despite constant rebuttal, or that Saddam Hussein was involved with the attacks on September 11th despite all evidence to the contrary, or the shocking number of people who still believe that the universe is only 6,000 years old and science is somehow contrary to faith.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
West Wing Fantasy Camp: Things I'd Like to See under a New Administration - #1
#1 (not in order of priority): Stand by Your American Indian
They crossed the African continent, following game to cooler climes. Their skin lightened and hair straightened to absorb more UV light in the northern hemisphere where it was both colder and less sunny. They walked across Asia, and a land bridge to the Americas, and spread far and wide, winning the distinction of being here first. Native Americans, American Indians, Eskimos, Pacific Islanders… a group composed of many nations, tribes, cultures, ethnicities, having one thing in common: they were here first, and we screwed them over.
This isn’t white man’s guilt, its just fact. Whenever possible, European settlers pushed them aside, made war, spread disease, or simply made deals and treaties with no intention of keeping them. After all that, how much recognition are they given? They are taught about in broad strokes in elementary schools, they are sepia-toned in our films, they are sometimes fetishized or caricatured in our culture, and to what end? Though once numbering in the millions, in total, all of these groups make up less than 2% of our total population, and much of that is so spread out and integrated into the rest of our society, that truly cultural American Indians make up only a few hundred thousand of our 300 million population.
We pushed them west, we traded them trinkets for acres of valuable land, we forced integration upon them, or encouraged our worst traits. Then, finally, when we outnumbered them in population, in land, in weapons, in wealth, we decided… sure, you can be a sovereign nation. So, on the worst land, with few resources, we let them govern what was left of their nations with financial handouts - growing smaller all the time - from Uncle Sam.
What was left to govern? While the United States unemployment rate wavers around 5 or 6 percent in times of sluggish growth, the unemployment rate on reservations tends to be more like 50 or 60 percent. Water is scarce, because most of the natural sources of water are already tapped by the federal government, and electricity or industry of any kind is sparse. This impoverished existence leads to increased rates of alcohol abuse, and by extension crime, and thus, even more hardship. Within a generation or two, many traditions will be lost, and some native languages will disappear.
So, where am I going with this? Consider this: the war in Iraq has, thus far, cost us about 500 billion dollars in deficit spending. Add to that the cost of lost productivity due to so many of our resources being stretched overseas rather than put to use in the United States. On top of that, add the billions of dollars continuing to be spent in Afghanistan, a war that very well could have been wrapped up by now if not for our disastrous diversion to Iraq. Add the lost GDP of the plunging American Economy due to our mishandling both these wars and our interactions with other nations. Think about the destruction we’ve caused and how much we are spending to rebuild countries that we have torn apart.
For a fraction of that cost, we could be rebuilding a country right within our own borders. Every dollar that we give to Halliburton or other private contractors to - slowly - build schools, roads, and power stations in Iraq could be spent with greater efficiency building vital infrastructure on reservations in the United States. Roads, power lines, water pipes, schools, homes and farms… the basics for a people to lift themselves out of poverty when they no longer have to spend all of their time figuring out how to scrape through another day.
It’s not sexy, it’s not bold, it’s not great politics, but it is valuable. The world views Americans as culturally devoid, as people who demolish their history for a bright, new shopping center. I disagree, but I also think that there is something for us to gain in protecting the heritage of our nation, of the people who came before, and the diversity that exists within our borders. Think what could be possible if Reservations could raise money not through casinos but through cultural tourism, unique Universities, or green industries.
We have so many challenges to face, so much work to be done, so many mistakes to overcome in this coming administration. My hope is that amid the chaos of war and the tumultuous economy, that we won’t forget the debts we owe - the responsibilities we still have - to the people that we stepped on, and then stepped over. These aren’t people that need handouts, or pity, or special privilege. What they do need, and what we would benefit from, is real effort and cooperation to help them help themselves. If the sons of former slaves can become billionaires and politicians, then why shouldn’t the people who were here long before most of us be able to have their own sustainable society without becoming ours.
They crossed the African continent, following game to cooler climes. Their skin lightened and hair straightened to absorb more UV light in the northern hemisphere where it was both colder and less sunny. They walked across Asia, and a land bridge to the Americas, and spread far and wide, winning the distinction of being here first. Native Americans, American Indians, Eskimos, Pacific Islanders… a group composed of many nations, tribes, cultures, ethnicities, having one thing in common: they were here first, and we screwed them over.
This isn’t white man’s guilt, its just fact. Whenever possible, European settlers pushed them aside, made war, spread disease, or simply made deals and treaties with no intention of keeping them. After all that, how much recognition are they given? They are taught about in broad strokes in elementary schools, they are sepia-toned in our films, they are sometimes fetishized or caricatured in our culture, and to what end? Though once numbering in the millions, in total, all of these groups make up less than 2% of our total population, and much of that is so spread out and integrated into the rest of our society, that truly cultural American Indians make up only a few hundred thousand of our 300 million population.
We pushed them west, we traded them trinkets for acres of valuable land, we forced integration upon them, or encouraged our worst traits. Then, finally, when we outnumbered them in population, in land, in weapons, in wealth, we decided… sure, you can be a sovereign nation. So, on the worst land, with few resources, we let them govern what was left of their nations with financial handouts - growing smaller all the time - from Uncle Sam.
What was left to govern? While the United States unemployment rate wavers around 5 or 6 percent in times of sluggish growth, the unemployment rate on reservations tends to be more like 50 or 60 percent. Water is scarce, because most of the natural sources of water are already tapped by the federal government, and electricity or industry of any kind is sparse. This impoverished existence leads to increased rates of alcohol abuse, and by extension crime, and thus, even more hardship. Within a generation or two, many traditions will be lost, and some native languages will disappear.
So, where am I going with this? Consider this: the war in Iraq has, thus far, cost us about 500 billion dollars in deficit spending. Add to that the cost of lost productivity due to so many of our resources being stretched overseas rather than put to use in the United States. On top of that, add the billions of dollars continuing to be spent in Afghanistan, a war that very well could have been wrapped up by now if not for our disastrous diversion to Iraq. Add the lost GDP of the plunging American Economy due to our mishandling both these wars and our interactions with other nations. Think about the destruction we’ve caused and how much we are spending to rebuild countries that we have torn apart.
For a fraction of that cost, we could be rebuilding a country right within our own borders. Every dollar that we give to Halliburton or other private contractors to - slowly - build schools, roads, and power stations in Iraq could be spent with greater efficiency building vital infrastructure on reservations in the United States. Roads, power lines, water pipes, schools, homes and farms… the basics for a people to lift themselves out of poverty when they no longer have to spend all of their time figuring out how to scrape through another day.
It’s not sexy, it’s not bold, it’s not great politics, but it is valuable. The world views Americans as culturally devoid, as people who demolish their history for a bright, new shopping center. I disagree, but I also think that there is something for us to gain in protecting the heritage of our nation, of the people who came before, and the diversity that exists within our borders. Think what could be possible if Reservations could raise money not through casinos but through cultural tourism, unique Universities, or green industries.
We have so many challenges to face, so much work to be done, so many mistakes to overcome in this coming administration. My hope is that amid the chaos of war and the tumultuous economy, that we won’t forget the debts we owe - the responsibilities we still have - to the people that we stepped on, and then stepped over. These aren’t people that need handouts, or pity, or special privilege. What they do need, and what we would benefit from, is real effort and cooperation to help them help themselves. If the sons of former slaves can become billionaires and politicians, then why shouldn’t the people who were here long before most of us be able to have their own sustainable society without becoming ours.
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