Welcome to the Nanny State 2008

[metoo4]

in a society like ours in which soccer moms drive around in land rovers and occaisionally run over toddlers, the old man should be able to have a cigarette with his beer.

Personnally, and I know many others who share this opinion, I find it to be the biggest tradgedy when a life is cut short. And the younger someone dies, the more tragic the loss in most cases. In terms of deaths among people aged 24 (cdc.gov again) and less, smoking was attributable to less than 0.1% of deaths and car accidents were over 50%. So, based on your theories Korbel, do you not think we should enforce a ban on driving?

BD

You're right, let's ban Land Rovers!

I agree with the "young life cut short" but that's where I stop. Your reasoning is basically the same as my "Land Rover ban".

There are millions of subjects that could be tackled. Problem is, it's impossible to tackle them all at the same time, one must choose what battle to fight.

 

[mtwallet]

metoo4, you may be correct about the mileage numbers you got. I won't argue with you. I cannot remember what I was reading, which is why I didn't quote anybody. If I can find the information again, I will pass it along.

I don't understand your issue with what I said in the third quote, about fines being issued. The sentence started with the word "YES". That usually means that I agree.

You missed my point about Air Canada. I stated that the 767 was going to be flying anyways. With or without the mail, the sky was still going to get polluted. So the net gain with carbon credits is zero.

West Jet has new planes that use less fuel, pollute less, and make less noise, making them more efficient to operate. Fuel and pollution, yes. Less noise? Has absolutely no bearing on operating costs.

I'm glad you think the implementation of the GST was democratic.

 

[JustBob]

That's called democraty. These guys are elected to do exactly that: do what the population want them to do. Of course they'll do it more or less but, if a government would only do stuff nobody want, that would be the revolution! Look like they do a lot of stuff peoples want after all since we just kick them out in sequence every 4 years instead of killing them!

That's called politics. And considering how naive and gullible the majority of the population is, let's not confuse prioritizing issues and generally doing what's best for society with doing what it takes to get elected. As mtwallet stated, politicians will ride on the issue of the month, until the next popular/visible issue surfaces.

 

[metoo4]

...politicians will ride on the issue of the month, until the next popular/visible issue surfaces.

Rightfully so! If not, peoples would accuse them of wasting their time with frivolous issues. They must appear like they do something, right? The biggest achievements must be done by small steps or the risk of failure increase tenfold. Trying to change the world in huge steps is unattainable so, one piece at the time is the way to go!