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OregonSean's comments:
on Cutting the Budget
This sounds like a wonderful idea! I would really like to know whether this idea has been considered by the legislature and if so, why it hasn't been implemented.
posted 4 years ago
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on John Kroger's First 100 Days
Very good point! It is well explored in a fantastic movie called "The Corporation". Essentially, corporations have a legal mandate to create as much profit as possible for their investors. Corporations are not people, but they are given the legal rights of them. The movies uses the DSM IV, the criteria psychiatrists use to diagnos mental illness, and applied it to the behavior of corporations. The end result is that corporations' behavior would be diagnosed as sociopathic.
If the calculation of fines is not designed to be deterrent large enough, regardless of the business' size (maybe a percentage of the companies net worth?), and regulations are not properly enforced, than they ARE merely the cost of doing business.
posted 4 years ago
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on Driven to Distraction?
Personally, I would be willing to give up (or reduce--hope I don't get caught!!) cell phone use in cars if the science says that it makes driving significantly more dangerous.
I'm concerned that some people will behave more dangerously if they are scrambling to put on and plug in their "hands free" devices every time the phone rings, not to mention the evidence that using them is equally distracting.
I'm glad that the legislature seems to be taking a reasoned stance on this. Perhaps it's a good first step to eliminating cell phone use while driving completely.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
Interesting. I'd like to know more about this.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
This is a very good point and I have some good news. Anecdotally, many countries in western Europe are experiencing population decreases, naturally, without government intervention. I believe the theory goes that when people have a good quality of life and receive a quality education that they are able to make better choices about whether to have children, how long to wait, and how many to have. Having a higher quality of life doesn't put as much pressure on our natural instincts to procreate in order for the next generation to have it better than we do.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
That price tag makes me faint. Is it possible we need to wait for the technology to become cheaper or could goverment subsidization be the answer?
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
Local, distributed energy is a great idea, but until it is ready for prime time (politically, economically, and technologically) we will need to add some transmission lines in the meantime.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
I agree. It is a false choice that we either need to continue destroying the planet or revert back to the bronze age. Careful use of science and technology (including the behavioral sciences) can give us a win-win situation with a reasonable investment.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
This is a good point. It may simply be easier and more economic to try and circumvent people's behavior through greater efficiency standards and through intelligent consultations about how to upgrade or maintain homes better with the least effort and cost.
I just think that it would be an uphill battle to convince the general public to changes their habits in a significant way, possibly a massive advertising campaign and maybe not even that.
posted 4 years ago
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on Bedroom Economics
If using the pill is a form of abortion what is having tubes tied? Also, perhaps abstinence is the best alternative then. Having that many kids seems like a crime in terms of the limited personal attention you can devote to them--there are only so many hours in the day--even under the best of financial circumstances, unless both parents are stay-at-home or some kind of nanny or assistance is being provided.
posted 4 years ago
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on April Show Ideas
Last Sunday, I attended a "constituent coffee" meeting at my local library with my state representative and state senator. I've been to a few these before, but it'd been a while and I found that it didn't go as well as I'd hoped. Afterward, I wrote both of them to suggest ways to make the forum more conversation oriented and customer service friendly (something you don't hear in the same sentence with government very much). Also, to recommend that they look into ways to improve education about the importance of participation and possibly make the event more "fun" to draw in more constituents, particularly the hard to reach younger demographic (think of the types of distractions and entertainment that our elected officials have to compete with today). There were probably less than 20 people present and I may have been the only one under 40.
So--maybe a show that includes research based solutions for how to increase civic participation in Oregon, or how our elected officials can make their interactions with us more customer service oriented.
Also, a third idea, explore the barriers that exist to average people who want to run for the state legislature. For example, apparently, our legislatures don't make a very substantial wage, and they definitely work part-time within the bienniem. This creates serious financial barriers to people who want to run, but aren't wealthy enough to sustain their families on a part-time, less than living-wage.
posted 4 years ago
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on April Show Ideas
In June, I will be moving into a brand new, income-restricted building at the corner of NE MLK and NE Shaver called Shaver Green. A unique side of the story is that this building also holds a LEED Gold rating. It's also minutes from downtown, Lloyd Center, the max, and Mississippi neighborhood shopping district.
It would be great if you did a story on projects like this, projects that benefit our city socially - through lower income accessible housing located in work and play urban centers, economically - by helping a vital component of the work force to be near the city center, help redevelop a neighborhood, and do so in an environmentally responsible way. How great is that?
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
Awesome tip! I don't make a lot of money and I'm naturally pretty frugal and I LOVE getting DVD's from the library. I can't even imagine how much money I've saved in addition to reducing the environmental effects of producing, distributing, and selling the DVD's and books that I've checked out. Contributing to prevention of additional "big box" stores makes me feel good. Also, we have a great network of quality used clothing stores in the metro area. Save money and save the environment.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
Nice! I wish success stories like this were more publicized. Also, how long will it take you to recoup the cost of these upgrades through the savings you are now experiencing?
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
The local socially aware fast food chain Burgerville has found a manufacturer that creates plastic looking cups, straws, and flatware from corn that are fully compostable. Wouldn't it be great if law required their use?
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
Studies have shown that making long-term changes takes time and has to happen gradually for it to stick. I commend you for doing that. I wish there was a campaign to educate people best on how to do the same.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
Amen! I believe that encouraging competition and innovation can be an important part of an efficient market, sometimes, but it is definitely not a one size fits all solution. Each industry needs to be carefully evaluated for the best mix of regulation and market freedom.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
I'm very sorry to hear about your recycling problem. Have you spoken to your management or thought about sponsoring an additional can?
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
This is a very good point. There is a lack of common sense in many routine human behaviors. Also, changing the way businesses work, eliminating things like planned obsolesence, and mandating energy efficiency are HUGE pieces of the solution.
posted 4 years ago
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on The Efficiency Factor
It sounds like you have a lot of good ideas. I'm skeptical about the ones that require people to change their habits, but harnessing the energy from everyday events (dancing, exercising, speed bumps) sounds very smart if it's economical. Admittedly, my favorite ideas usually surround having studies done to look for the easiest and most efficient solutions, as well as investing carefully in technologies that will be convenient and effective.
posted 4 years ago
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