This would be fine, if we were socialists. Since the politicians would actually be in control of the economy, more soup in my cup should mean more reward (or, in your bizarre scenario, less punishment). But we have, for now, and in theory, a free market system.
Politicians like to think they have the power to influence the economy, but their actions are akin to a kid thinking he can make a speeding semi change lanes by hitting it with a bottle rocket. Even sinking gargantuan sums of money - the $11,600,000,000,000.00 pledged so far (and counting) - into the problem has, so far, made scant difference in 'conditions on the ground.'
So, no, confiscating politicians' property upon their entrance to term is not the answer. That would only ensure that Washington would be filled with people so hungry for power and influence that they would give up all their possessions for it. Frightening. If you want economic prosperity now, quit expecting 15% annual ROI on the investments you chase after and, as Dave Ramsey says, act your wage.
...I feel like I did when I first heard about CD players that could play mp3 files from a disc. I remember saying, "Sweet Lord! Instead of twenty songs at a shot, I could pack ten whole albums!" I remember being giddy at the possibility of putting an artist's entire discography on a single CD-R.
I'm getting a touch of this same sentiment as I read various visions of next-gen car audio. It will be interesting to see whether the cell companies can stop sodomizing us long enough to roll out 4G / WiMax, or whether Google and other white space initiative sympathizers will be able to leapfrog them and get white space internet service and hardware on the street.
Not that I really care which technology wins out...I just know that, for me, the Holy Grail of Car Audio would be thumping stuff from lala, Slacker, and Pandora while I'm flying down the interstate. As a police officer, though, I'm fearful of the day sixteen year old girls and boys are streaming video of boy bands and porn, respectively, into their vehicles. Fearful, indeed.
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Citations, per Your Request
http://www.zenit.org/article-205?l=english
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NNR/is_2_35/ai_100736161/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/family-with-two-parents-better-for-all-study-claims-607339.html
I could go on and on, but my point was mainly to remind you that hegemon13's comment isn't pulled out of the ether.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
This would be fine, if we were socialists. Since the politicians would actually be in control of the economy, more soup in my cup should mean more reward (or, in your bizarre scenario, less punishment). But we have, for now, and in theory, a free market system.
Politicians like to think they have the power to influence the economy, but their actions are akin to a kid thinking he can make a speeding semi change lanes by hitting it with a bottle rocket. Even sinking gargantuan sums of money - the $11,600,000,000,000.00 pledged so far (and counting) - into the problem has, so far, made scant difference in 'conditions on the ground.'
So, no, confiscating politicians' property upon their entrance to term is not the answer. That would only ensure that Washington would be filled with people so hungry for power and influence that they would give up all their possessions for it. Frightening. If you want economic prosperity now, quit expecting 15% annual ROI on the investments you chase after and, as Dave Ramsey says, act your wage.
Looking Forward...
...I feel like I did when I first heard about CD players that could play mp3 files from a disc. I remember saying, "Sweet Lord! Instead of twenty songs at a shot, I could pack ten whole albums!" I remember being giddy at the possibility of putting an artist's entire discography on a single CD-R.
I'm getting a touch of this same sentiment as I read various visions of next-gen car audio. It will be interesting to see whether the cell companies can stop sodomizing us long enough to roll out 4G / WiMax, or whether Google and other white space initiative sympathizers will be able to leapfrog them and get white space internet service and hardware on the street.
Not that I really care which technology wins out...I just know that, for me, the Holy Grail of Car Audio would be thumping stuff from lala, Slacker, and Pandora while I'm flying down the interstate. As a police officer, though, I'm fearful of the day sixteen year old girls and boys are streaming video of boy bands and porn, respectively, into their vehicles. Fearful, indeed.