SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : View from the Center and Left

 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Dale Baker who wrote (399)6/5/2005 5:17:30 PM
From: TimF  Read Replies (1) of 541396
 
There is a basic standard for results we can apply in some areas. Have we reduced federal spending?

Some people's ideology would make increasing federal spending the goal. Others don't care much about foreign oil or drug use. Those aren't basic standards that are immune from ideology of philosophy or outlook on life. They are standards that come up in the context of your ideology/philosophy/outlook, just like any other standards. Teen pregnancies, and literacy rates are perhaps slightly better measuring sticks, it would be hard to find anyone who wanted to increase teen pregnancy or decrease literacy rates. But how much weight such considerations should have, and the ways of that are acceptable to try to deal with them are influenced a lot by ideology. If we increase literacy by .05% is that important? What do we give up in terms of ideological or practical considerations to get that .05% increase? If we decrease teen pregnancy, do we do it by using a lot more contraception? There are people who's religious/philosophical/ideological ideas would be against that.

You simply can't divorce the perceived relative importance of various goals from ideology, philosophy, religion, ect.

Tim
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext