Our grocery stores are packed with so many genetically modified foods we barely even notice anymore. The EU has banned these foods inside their lands, and many developing countries refuse to accept them as well. The debate surrounding them is hot.
First: Should we ban GMO's to eliminate the trade problem with the EU? Currently, the difference in opinions is creating friction between the two continents. Some sources even give Europe a higher yield in staple crops such as soy and corn. Should we switch, or stick to our position that they are safe.
Second: Golden Rice was probably the most hyped food of the 21st century. It appeared on the cover of Time Magazine at the turn of the Millenium. It was prepared to save the developing world of vitamin A deficiency. Unfortunately, everything did not go as planned. The rice has yet to be implemented on a large school due to corporate patents and more. Some people even argue the rice may discourage a balanced diet by putting so much emphasis on rice.
Third: Superweeds: This definitely sounds scary. These herbicide resistant weeds are killing farm productivity across the world. The real question is, are these a consequence of GM crops, or simple herbicide use. Some reports indicate herbicide use has gone down, while some indicate it has gone up. The cloudy scientific evidence surrounding all of GMO's make any judgement hard.
-Max
Friday, October 31, 2014
Monday, October 20, 2014
Midterm Elections
For many, the midterm elections are trivial and thus do not come out to vote. In fact, the voter turnout at these midterm elections is PITIFUL. Let's look at the impact this has:
1. Incumbency Advantage: In my opinion, the low voter turnout only helps the incumbents. Already blessed with high name recognition, these incumbents have little to do, because very few voters will turn out anyway. Incumbency advantage only hurts accountability, because they can continue to get elected without doing much.
2. Take away voice of people: Due to many factors, disgruntled voters have begun to argue that America is being dominated by the One $ One Vote motto instead of One Man One Vote. With this election in particular, congressman are more in bed with their financial benefactors than their voters, because quite simply, voters do not come out.
3. Save the Senate: The democrats are in real danger of losing the Senate. The disaster of the Obamacare rollout paired with foreign policy crises and the ability of the GOP to convince anyone that Obama is responsible for all the bad things that happen have contributed to this danger. It is commonly known that more voter turnout leads to more share of the vote for democrats, but with less people coming out, it is becoming less and less likely that the dems will save the senate. This, in turn, means Obama will be EVEN MORE crippled with congress than he was the last 4 years or so, and this means less efficiency and less benefits for Americans. To keep Obama and the dems afloat, the populus needs to turn out in this election.
Early voting and absentee ballots exist! Don't escape!
1. Incumbency Advantage: In my opinion, the low voter turnout only helps the incumbents. Already blessed with high name recognition, these incumbents have little to do, because very few voters will turn out anyway. Incumbency advantage only hurts accountability, because they can continue to get elected without doing much.
2. Take away voice of people: Due to many factors, disgruntled voters have begun to argue that America is being dominated by the One $ One Vote motto instead of One Man One Vote. With this election in particular, congressman are more in bed with their financial benefactors than their voters, because quite simply, voters do not come out.
3. Save the Senate: The democrats are in real danger of losing the Senate. The disaster of the Obamacare rollout paired with foreign policy crises and the ability of the GOP to convince anyone that Obama is responsible for all the bad things that happen have contributed to this danger. It is commonly known that more voter turnout leads to more share of the vote for democrats, but with less people coming out, it is becoming less and less likely that the dems will save the senate. This, in turn, means Obama will be EVEN MORE crippled with congress than he was the last 4 years or so, and this means less efficiency and less benefits for Americans. To keep Obama and the dems afloat, the populus needs to turn out in this election.
Early voting and absentee ballots exist! Don't escape!
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