Comments for Satyagraha - Cultural Psychology

Comment on The Injustice of High College Tuition by John Uebersax

John Uebersax — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:08:22 +0000

Maybe one reason is simply that nobody has identified as a priority keeping it down or reducing it. As they say, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” If people felt in their heart that we should do our best to make sure that everybody could go to college, we’d find a way to do it. I just don’t know how many people let themselves feel how important this is. Another part of the problem is that families and students accept it. As long as there are families willing to dish out $20,000/year on tuition, we can be fairly certain the universities will continue to do this.

A third, very basic economic factor, is regulation. You have to receive government accreditation to confer university degrees. That amounts to a kind of monopoly among existing universities.

Comment on Beware EU Federalism! by John Uebersax

John Uebersax — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:01:50 +0000

Thanks. I enjoyed reading your article. The analogy with animals instinctively anticipating an earthquake seems apt. Indeed, in literature and art there is much evidence of a “collective unconscious” expression of fear that government will keep growing until it takes over. Consider, for example, all the novels and movies about a dystopian society where the government controls everything. People understand this is a danger. So how does it happen? One reason, perhaps, is that governments have learned to play against even greater fears: fears of enemies (and of there are not enemies, the government will create them); class envy; and now, fears associated with health. Look at the last decade:
Govt. says: Terrorists! (we’ll fight in Iraq and Afghanistan — but we need more power)
Govt. says: Terrorists! (we need to protect you at home; give us more power via the Patriot Act)
Govt. says: Beware Drugs! (we’ll put all those grass smokers in jail)
Govt. says: Beware impending financial catastrophe (give us more $1 trillion to fix)
Govt. says: We need universal health care (with us in charge)
And it also says: the need is so urgent you’re not allowed to read the bill before we pass it!
This is what I think might be called the government’s modus operandi.

Comment on Beware EU Federalism! by John Uebersax

John Uebersax — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:54:31 +0000

Your blog does not seems to be there right now. In any case, you might consider that there is a large difference between the founding of the American federal system in the 1780’s and Europe today. The US system was produced as a sincere effort by committed, thoughtful, *prayerful*, men and women to forge a nation. The motives of the EU, I think most would agree, are more mercenary. The main incentive, it seems, is financial. That’s a losing proposition to begin with. The second obstacle is that there is not a common language — and partly for that reason, not a single culture. The language issue is especially important — because a government is taking shape which is not accountable to its ‘citizens.’ The people in Europe have virtually no idea what the EU is doing.

Comment on Beware EU Federalism! by euandus3

euandus3 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:35:08 +0000

Nice post! As I read it, I wonder if federalism doesn’t have a tendency to turn into consolidation. I argue that big business is a catalyst. See http://euandus3.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/on-the-eclipse-of-american-federalism/

Comment on The Injustice of High College Tuition by rhetoric2

rhetoric2 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:51:08 +0000

why do you think the cost of college is going up?

Comment on Beware EU Federalism! by Federal Farmer

Federal Farmer — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:35:04 +0000

I am an American who is interested in the EU, though I reside in North America. I too have thought it would be exciting to be in Europe as its federal system takes shape. I’ve posted on comparing the EU and US at http://soozah.wordpress.com/, which might interest you.

Comment on My websites under construction by ssim

ssim — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:10:42 +0000

Hi, I realize that you are moving pages and it is a rather annoying process, but I was wondering if you could fix the Existential Psychology link next. I was only able to read it once when Compuserve broke the next day. Sorry for being impatient and thank you!
Sam

Comment on Cost of Iraq War by myhowtoos

myhowtoos — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:53:47 +0000

This war is the second expensive for U.S. after the World War II. Here I’ve tried to summarize all costs of the Iraq war for Americans:

http://www.myhowtoos.com/en/red-hot/86-all-costs-of-war-in-iraq-for-usa

Comment on Swine Flu, Vaccines, and Mathematical Models by Public Policy and Rapid Flu Diagnosis « Satyagraha – Cultural Psychology

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:51:54 +0000

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Comment on The Commission on Presidential Debates by Advice for President Obama: Let America Reach Out to Developing Countries « Satyagraha - Cultural Psychology

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:29:25 +0000

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