Cartwright: I think the entire system of issuing driving privileges needs reformed. Let’s keep in mind that driving is a privilege, not a right. I’m interpreting the question as placing an age limit on driving such that when you reach a certain age you must surrender your driver’s license. I don’t necessarily think elderly people on the road is an overwhelming part of the problem. In fact, people over the age of 65 account for the lowest percentage of drivers in all accidents. Young people account for a much higher percentage. Continue reading
Society
2013 Symposium: Is Society Too Consumed With “Political Correctness”?
Cartwright: Absolutely. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. People need to get thicker skin and get over this political correctness thing. This is part of the wussification of America. You can’t call someone fat or obese because it may hurt their feelings. We have to be more sensitive to that. This is ridiculous. If they don’t want to be called fat, lose some weight. You can’t say someone is short or a midget, because it may offend them. I really think the liberals in this country, and they’re the ones pushing this political correctness stuff, have this confused with bullying. Continue reading
2013 Symposium: We Have People Serving 10-15 For Possessing Marijuana And 10-15 Years For Felony DUI Yet Murderers, Gang Members, And Violent Criminals Walk Free. Does Our Legal System Need To Be Reformed?
Cartwright: Absolutely. We waste a lot of resources prosecuting people for ridiculous charges like possessing marijuana yet murders, rapists, and violent criminals go free. Going back to an earlier discussion, we need to decriminalize drugs, tax them and regulate that industry. We accomplish nothing by locking people up who have possession of marijuana. It hasn’t stopped people lighting up. Nearly half the federal prison population is incarcerated on drug charges. About a quarter of the states’ prison populations are incarcerated on drug charges. This all costs the taxpayers money. Continue reading
Top Problems Plaguing America by Digger Cartwright
America is in crisis. We are a nation in decline as a result of society’s own hedonism, greed, and self destruction. Our problems are rooted not only in our dysfunctional political system but in the dysfunctional state of society itself, both of which have become increasingly more dysfunctional over the last decade. Americans’ perceptions of our problems are divided along political lines, which tends to cloud the judgment of individuals and take the discussion away from the cause of the political problems to a debate over political ideology. Each and every American shares part of the blame for the problems plaguing our nation, and if we don’t address the problems individually, as a society, and as a nation, they will continue to grow and like a cancer consume our health and vitality, eventually killing the foundation upon which our nation was established and the foundations of our society. Continue reading
Is It Time to Colonize Another Planet?
From Thinking Outside the Boxe’s Sydney Correspondent
By now there is an overwhelming scientific consensus that anthropogenic climate climate change has the potential to wreak havoc on our planet, and irrevocably change the way we live our lives. Low lying pacific island nations are already seeing the effects first hand and are being confronted with the question of whether to move to another country. The potential consequences for other nations is not as clear but there are some signs emerging. The question of colonising other planets has been thrust into the public debate because of comments made by Stephen Hawking recently. However, there are many challenges surrounding the practical aspects of colonising other planets and this article will explore some of them. Continue reading
Are Economic & Environmental Disasters an Unfortunate Aspect of Capitalism?
From Thinking Outside the Boxe’s Sydney Correspondent
In the wake of the Global Financial Crisis a lot of blame and anger was focused on people who work in finance. Others took a broader approach and believe that capitalism itself is to blame. Naomi Klein’s book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism is often cited by those critical of capitalism and neoliberalism in particular. Klein sees neoliberalism as an ‘evil’ economic approach that has no regard at all for the environment. Climate change is the area that critics mostly focus on. However if we in the western world, and those in developing countries, want to enjoy modern luxuries and future technological and medical advances provided by capitalism should we accept economic and environmental disasters as an unfortunate aspect of capitalism that we just have to live with? Continue reading
Is it Time To Amend The Right To Bear Arms?
From Thinking Outside the Boxe’s Sydney Correspondent
In the wake of several high profile mass shootings in the past couple of years the ownership of high powered semi and fully automatic weapons has come under close scrutiny. The number of voices calling for tight controls on gun ownership has never been higher. At the same time the powerful gun lobby continues to strongly influence lawmakers in Washington. If gun laws are worthy of scrutiny then perhaps the right to bear arms, in its current form at least, may also need to be analyzed more closely than in the past. In this article the role of the NRA will also be discussed. Continue reading
Symposium 2012: Can America ever achieve energy independence?
Cartwright: Not as long as Americans are obsessed with driving their cars and aren’t willing to make sacrifices. Hell, they bitch when the price of gas goes up ten or fifteen cents. The way we’re going there is absolutely no hope of achieving energy independence. Continue reading
Symposium 2012: Is it time to legalize drugs here in America?
Michigan: Maybe. People will lie, cheat, steal and kill for drugs. Would this all stop? How much is it costing the taxpayer for health care and to house all the addicts and dealers in prison. Would this all stop? Anyone can buy the drug called alcohol. Look at the lives and expense this drug costs. How many deaths and millions of dollars can be contributed to this legal drug? I guess my answer is NO. Continue reading
Symposium 2012: What are the biggest social issues in America today?
Sydney: Given the state of the economy it would be hard to argue that unemployment is not the major social issue facing America today. High unemployment destroys families, leads to addiction and mental illness as well as homelessness and puts a huge strain on the welfare and health systems. Education is also a big social issue. Continue reading
Thinking Outside The Boxe 