Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 12:13:41 -0800
From: Colin Stark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: population resolution, Aspen Colorado
==========
Edward G said
While the resolution is well intended, I believe it is impotent.
What it requests is that something be done that is within the parameters of
the constitution when in fact there is nothing that can be done within the
parameters of the constitution.
I find it interesting that such a resolution would come from within a
highly successful predator nation.
When the options available to "stabilise the population" are considered,
they all fall outside the constitutional guarantees to individuals.(as I
understand them)
If the target is immigration controls alone, and the spectre of national
integrity is raised, national integrity cannot be touted in isolation.
Economic diplomacy and the plundering of other nations resources must also
be taken into account
Despite the moralising, survival of the fittest (in nations as well as
individuals) does become the ultimate criteria by which nature will decide.
"Ethics is the art of recommending to others what they must do to get along
with ourselves". Bertrand Russell quoted by Mortimer J. Adler in "Ten
Philosophical Mistakes" Pp. 118.
"The modern goal of military power over much of the world is to replace
the civilian power, dissolve or suspend the inefficiencies of democracies,
and govern in their place". "The Voice Of The Poor" Pp. 14, by John
Kenneth Galbraith. (1983)
======================
end snip
At 01:21 PM 12/15/1999 -0500, Steve wrote:
>Despite the fact that the US is the most wasteful of the developed
>nations, and Aspen is a city with a high average income, the resolution
>seems rather balanced. Note particularly clauses 1. and 3. I post it
>here, with the complete rationale (WHEREAS...) following.
Colin:
I sense a weak attempt to balance, by the City of Aspen
I sense a slightly stronger attempt to balance, by yourself
Steve:
>I know there are those who will see ONLY selfishness in this, but please
>respond with debunking of claims, not just with emotions or moral
>indignation. Voluntary simplicity is not freely chosen by the vast
>majority of humans. Hence it isn't a viable alternative to proffer.
>Involuntary simplicity is the most likely alternative in my opinion. As
>long as human population expands, migration pressure will continue until
>all habitats are trashed and predation becomes the universal norm.
snip
Colin:
I am glad that you raise the Voluntary Simplicity topic
I believe that the balance that must be reached is between Voluntary
Simplicity (mainly on the part of the developed Nations) and population
REDUCTION -- the main contribution the City of Aspen (and most of us in N.
America) can make is in the realm of Voluntary Simplicity -- rather it
focuses on Immigration, which is at least one step removed from population
reduction
Two Voluntary Simplicity sites
The New Road Map Foundation -- Dominguez/Robin, authors of the best-selling
"Your Money or your Life" --http://www.newroadmap.org/
Colin Stark
>Reversing population growth is the most humane choice in my opinion.
>BTW, the US is the 4th most populated nation on earth.
>
>Steve Kurtz
>-------------------------------------------------------------
>>NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the City of Aspen hereby petitions the
>>Congress of the United States and the President to immediately
implement-with
>>deliberate speed and by means consistent with the Constitution of the United
>>States, the consensus of the American People and the President's
>>Council-legislation appropriate to stabilize the population of the United
>>States and insure sustainability: (1) that will encourage and promote all
>>opportunities toward establishing and maintaining material and energy
>>efficiency, social and environmental responsibility; (2) by a return to
>>traditional replacement levels of legal immigration , approximately 175,000,
>>all-inclusive, annually; (3) by requiring equitable wages and benefits for
>>workers and community environmental protections to be part of all free trade
>>agreements; and (4) by mandated enforcement of our immigration laws against
>>illegal immigration, thereby promoting the future well being of all the
>>citizens of this Nation and the City of Aspen.
>>___________________________________________________________________________
>>Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999
snip
Peace and goodwill
Ed Goertzen,
Oshawa,
L1G 2S2,
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SIGNATURE - "Subsidiarity", Defined in the Papal encyclical
"Quadragisemo Anno", as
quoted in "The Age of Paradox" by Charles Handy". "It is an injustice, a
grave evil and a disturbance of right order for a large and higher
organization to arrogate to itself functions which can be performed
efficiently by smaller, lower bodies...".
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