TED Community » Ward Williams

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  A comment on Conversation: Social Equality? So share the expenses of the wealthy, too.

  Apr 9 2013: I have read several but not all of the responses here, so my thoughts may have been covered. I'm not sure I understand the premise of the question. It sounds as if you are equating social equality with economic equality. Are they synonymous?
  
  Relative to the poor sharing in the risk, etc. it makes sense intuitively, however, there are very real challenges faced with trying to equalize these things. Money is tangible in that it can be counted and distributed. Terms like risk, hard work, and smart work work are subjective. Who decides and how is it decided that I am working "smart", or even capable of it?
  
  I've noticed that whenever folks discuss the merits and evils of government or monetary systems the negatives of one are invariably compared to the Utopian of another. Socialism as a concept may be a fine idea in it's Utopian state, but like any system, it's success depends on EVERYONE playing by the same rules. Systems that fail always fail because of corruption; someone is taking advantage of or exploiting rules that others are unable to utilize. Long bread lines come in many forms, but interestingly there are always people who never have to wait in them.
  
  There is one device common to every form of corruption that fosters separation and promotes privilege. Secrecy. Secrets of the few invariably undermine the "common good".

• A reply on Conversation: Given current networking and opensource possibilities is it possible to conduct a run for high office using little or no money?

  Mar 1 2013: I couldn't agree more with your assessment of this insanity we are subjected to.
  I do have some specific ideas about what we can do. Unfortunately I'm on a trip out of town and typing this on my phone. I'll elaborate when I have access to better equipment.

• A reply on Conversation: Given current networking and opensource possibilities is it possible to conduct a run for high office using little or no money?

  Feb 26 2013: All the points you make are accurate. What's your solution? Snap your fingers and institute Venus? Let 'er rip. Even that has to start someplace. I don't need any more evidence to decide something needs to be done. What concrete things are you suggesting, or better yet doing?

• A reply on Conversation: Given current networking and opensource possibilities is it possible to conduct a run for high office using little or no money?

  Feb 26 2013: I couldn't agree more. Nothing really to add or dispute, with the exception that I do think it is repairable, given appropriate leadership. I don't think a guy has to become president to have meaningful influence. History is full of great leaders who were unknown and changed history.

• A reply on Conversation: Given current networking and opensource possibilities is it possible to conduct a run for high office using little or no money?

  Feb 26 2013: Rather than all the fighting about policy issues, would we be better served to protest and start a movement that demands serious reform (overhaul / redo / reset) of this kind of malignancy, that would provide a plausible way for more people to have an opportunity to serve if they want to? Would this be a more unifying effort, something many people would get behind? It is a non-partisan concern that not many would object to, unless of course you're part of the ruling elite who might lose the perks.
  
  Start an effort to end this kind of stuff and see who squeals.

• A reply on Conversation: Are there any new energy storage methods on the horizon?

  Feb 26 2013: How quickly does this replenish? Is it quickly enough to prolong our need for other sources?

• A reply on Conversation: Are there any new energy storage methods on the horizon?

  Feb 26 2013: Interesting indeed. Bzzz...

• A reply on Conversation: Given current networking and opensource possibilities is it possible to conduct a run for high office using little or no money?

  Feb 25 2013: I knew It would be difficult but what you're saying makes me sick. There can be no other reason than to prevent the people from having a voice. I've always known there was a turd in the punch bowl but this is over the top. Sad, really sad.

• A reply on Conversation: Are there any new energy storage methods on the horizon?

  Feb 24 2013: She's living in the basement again right now. Oddly, there's no sunlight down there, and not much energy either.
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: Use open source and peer to peer to peer techniques to create a (small) nation.

  Feb 24 2013: No matter the cause of corruption, the tool that allows it is always secrecy. That's why our employees work in secret. We need to require our employees to work under minimum job requirements just like we do in order to increase transparency, and add context to what we hear from them.
  No matter what you think of the Tea Party, or Occupy Wall Street movements they had a profound effect on our politics. In the same way we must tell candidates they will not be considered unless they agree to these non-partisan requirements.
  
  What follows are what I consider to be minimum standards that any candidate for any public office must pledge and adhere to.
  
  You will work under the guidelines of a job description written by the constituency, not by colleagues in elected office.
  
  You will write and introduce legislation written in plain language that is easily understood by the average of the population.
  
  You will write and introduce legislation in the form of one bill, one issue, with no riders. If an issue can't stand on it's own merit it will not be hidden in or attached to another bill.
  
  You will be subject to the laws you vote to enact. You will not introduce or vote in the affirmative for legislation that excludes any elected employee from its influence.
  
  You will maintain a website that chronicles your activity. Each bill will be posted along with how you voted, and an opinion piece explaining why you voted as you did. In addition you will acknowledge having read and understood each bill you voted on. This will offer context and verifiable reference during your tenure and for each election cycle. After a reasonable viewing period these records will be archived and available for easy viewing indefinitely.
  
  This in no way is a total fix, but will remove some of the wiggle room the rhetoric, and will make them live under the same rules we do. These people are not royalty, and we do not need their permission or any legislation to make these changes.