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Mike Colera

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Are we being subject to emotional and financial blackmail by public officials ?

Currently in the USA, there is a great debate about a recently passed law which will cut a small percentage from the Federal Budget for next year's expenses. Next year's budget is higher then this years, so the proposed cut is in the increase.
There has been a great hue and cry by the Federal Administration, that this law will seriously hamper many functions that the Federal Government provides, such as food safety, children's health and welfare, transportation, etc. They want the cut removed or else.
In our state, the public schools with huge budgets are demanding even more in eductions funds or else the children will not be well educated.
Of course, public education has fallen to levels below most of the industrialized nations.

Needless to say that these public institutions are rife with waste and mismanagement.

Topics: education government
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    Krisztián Pintér 200+

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    TED Translator
    Mar 11 2013: last minute contribution:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument_Syndrome
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      Mike Colera 10+

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      Mar 11 2013: Thanks, I had forgotten that. And it is happening as we speak, the white house tours have been cancelled because of budget cuts. The sad thing is that they can.t come up with a new strategy. But, then again, there is always the old tried and true.
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    Mike Colera 10+

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    Mar 11 2013: Closing Thoughts...

    When I posted this question, I was thinking that I may be a little paranoiac and looking for hundreds of comments that would assure me that the idea of maybe some politicians were somewhat corrupted. You noticed that I am being rather indecisive on the matter. Unfortunately, it would appear that I had stated a fact and the only question was on wording. At least, I have learned how to pose a proper question for the TED community should I ever get up the nerve again.
    I thank those few for their participation

  • David Grammer

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    Mar 4 2013: Blackmail is such an ugly word. Those with resources tend to use those resources to further their own well being, not as a result of blind greed but as part of a belief system that says whatever makes them successful is inherently and demonstrably fair, otherwise they wouldn't be successful. I am willing to believe that those who are called fear mongers are sincere, honest people with altruistic motives. I just think they're horribly wrong.

  • Barry Palmer 50+

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    Feb 27 2013: Bail out the banks or the entire world economy will fail.

    I am not sure, was that blackmail or extortion?
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    edward long 100+

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    Feb 26 2013: The American people are largely apathetic and ignorant regarding the workings of their government. When that ignorance and apathy is used by others to accomplish their goals (election and re-election as Mr.Gilbert posits) I do not think "blackmail" is the best description of that situation. Blackmail relies on one party having done something illegal and/or wrong for which they are willing to pay money to avoid exposure. The only thing the American citizen has done wrong is not inform themselves and to not care about their government. That has no value as a blackmailing opportunity. Perhaps a better word is "abuse". Are we (uninformed and uncaring citizens) being abused by public officials? Hmmm.
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      Mike Colera 10+

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      Feb 26 2013: Maybe, I should have used the word ransom instead of blackmailed.
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        edward long 100+

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        Feb 26 2013: Ransom is akin to blackmail. If you don't like "abused", how about "bullied"?
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    Gail . 50+

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    Feb 26 2013: Financial blackmail? Yes. Emotional blackmail - well, that is fundamentally different. Those who are owned by their emotions can be blackmailed using them. Those who own their emotions and accept responsibility for them (choosing them deliberately) are not so easily manipulable. They are not "fear-driven" (reactive v. proactive).

  • Alex Alcala

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    Feb 26 2013: this question does not need a ling response, hence:
    you can bet on that!!!
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    pat gilbert 50+

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    Feb 26 2013: The first thing to know is that Politicians care about 2 things and only 2 things

    1 get elected

    2 get reelected

    they are talking about cutting 85 billion a year, this is about 2% of the budget.

    If your annual income was 25k then a comparable amount would be $11.00 a week, If 50k then $21.00 a week

    You tell me are they making a mountain out of mole hill?

    Is this more about getting votes than reality?
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