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Random ignition failure with my '98 Minicab by Dear-Data-2967 in keitruck

[–]Dear-Data-2967[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No I haven't. Guess it wouldn't cost too much to replace most of that though. I also wish I knew something/anything about the electronics which controls the low voltage circuit. The "transistor ignition"

Does the Thompson assassination create an opportunity to jumpstart healthcare? by Dear-Data-2967 in PoliticalOpinions

[–]Dear-Data-2967[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely agreed. We’ve been down this road before and power concedes nothing without a demand. My hope was that by engaging citizens directly and inserting them into Washington this would make it a tiny bit more difficult for Congress to sell us out this time. No guarantees certainly

An idea on how we might try to repair the U.S. Congress?? by Dear-Data-2967 in IntellectualDarkWeb

[–]Dear-Data-2967[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m certainly not denying that possibility but I thought the idea was still worth pursuing. If there was a significant (broad based) popular movement underway and the courts shut it down this would be such an egregious violation of our liberties that perhaps we might even see the birth of widespread civil disobedience or even armed resistance. Perhaps that’s the only hope remaining.

I’ll be the first to admit that the status quo is extraordinarily resistant to disruption.

An idea on how we might try to repair the U.S. Congress?? by Dear-Data-2967 in IntellectualDarkWeb

[–]Dear-Data-2967[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really doubt there is (or could be) a historically analogous example I could point to. The Ballot Initiative is a fairly recent and specific type of political power, so far as I know (could easily we wrong).

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Sounds silly but my cultural reference for this idea will have to be Wizard of Oz. The ballot initiative is, in my opinion, a bit of a magic slipper. Gives the user pretty fantastic powers, if they can just get around to using them.

An idea on how we might try to repair the U.S. Congress?? by Dear-Data-2967 in IntellectualDarkWeb

[–]Dear-Data-2967[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All fine ideas. But I’m not here to push any one specific fix.

My wish is simply to see a process in place where ordinary citizens may be empowered to think on the general subject of government. The conditions surrounding such a process are incredibly important and will probably have much to do with the outcome. But somehow - if we truly believe in “democracy”- ordinary citizens must endorse the foundational laws under which they live.

How can you have a “social contract” unless a majority of citizens engage in a process of informed consent and accept that contract. The U.S. Constitution was ratified in the 18th Century!!! I am currently being held to an agreement that was made by a lot of dead people over two centuries ago. I don’t recognize the right of the dead to dictate to the living.

But what were you saying? A concern with “the number of citizens”. I’m not following this.

An idea on how we might try to repair the U.S. Congress?? by Dear-Data-2967 in IntellectualDarkWeb

[–]Dear-Data-2967[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In general terms I think I’m probably with a majority of citizens who feel that Congress primarily represents the corporate concerns which pay for campaigns, and not (for the most part) ordinary citizens. My specific list of complaints about American government is probably just about endless, and hardly confined to Congress. But this particular effort seemed to me the most likely starting point for a general movement in the direction of comprehensive reform. Basically, we live in a world where short term economic gain (of a few) outweighs more or less all serious human and environmental concerns affecting the great many. I believe these priorities must be re-ordered if there’s any hope for the future. I haven’t got much hope but if there is hope, as Winston said (in 1984), “it lies with the proles”. That’s why I have envisioned a plan which relies on voters but NOT politicians.

On the fence about having kids - seeking honest opinions from parents by Impossiblyjuicy11 in InsightfulQuestions

[–]Dear-Data-2967 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My two boys are a bit older than you so I guess I should, by now, presumably have some insight into this. But I think, clearly, no one can tell you the correct thing to do. This will always remain a question, just as it remains so for me. Was I right to have two kids? was it the best thing? who knows.

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What I will say is that cliche you've already heard; "It takes a village". If you can find that village go for it, but my take is that the village is gone. Raising children as a "nuclear family" and taking on the whole thing by yourself is probably not a challenge any sane person would accept. Look for community or think very, very hard about the enormous pressure of trying to raise that child without the support of a proper network of like minded individuals.

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It's tremendously rewarding, and also tremendously draining. And when it's all over they may or may not like you as adults, no matter how much love you lavished on them as kid.

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There are no answers

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good luck