Back to your poltical feed!
Sep. 26th, 2005 10:53 pmFirst off, thanks to everyone that pwned their journal. Seto 'hacked' into over 100 journals, which exceeded my wildest expectations. *hugs* Thank you all so much!
Secondly, read and discuss the following amazing essay by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kimetara:
A Simple Plan.
According to other countries, Americans are egoistic, ignorant, and uncaring of the world community; yet every day I am constantly bombarded with issues concerning religion (and the danger of its fundamentalists), war ("why are we still in there now that we've won?"), hurricanes (inevitably linked to government ineptness and general pity), homosexuality (is it a choice? 60% say aye, 25% say nay, and 15% declare themselves undecided), and gas prices (are you positive that what comes up must come down?). Certainly, with all this discussion we can't possibly be as egoistic, ignorant, or uncaring as the globe believes us to be.
Nevertheless, there is a major issue that admittedly deserves more of our concern: overpopulation. The average American family has two children, and 77% of the population has some involvement in a family. At the moment, the current world population is approximately 6.5 billion, and growing at the rate of three people per second. During the past five years alone, the population has increased by 500 million, and by the year 2035, we are expected to hit the 10 billion mark--from overpopulation to hyperpopulation. What will this mean? Well, some predict hazardous overcrowding, depletion of resources, massive famine, and an increased spread of diseases, but the most troubling prospects are that of an over-competitive job market and higher taxes to provide for all the people under Social Security.
In order to ward off this fearful future, I have formulated a simple yet effective plan of action. Granted, the populations of undeveloped nations are far larger than our own and grow at a much faster rate, but as Americans, we well know that we are the world's role model, and should we follow a plan of action, our less-fortunate fellow nations will assuredly join us. Just as we have been the city upon a hill for democracy, tolerance, and capitalism, so we will be the leader of yet another movement to save the world.
My plan is this: I propose for all those who believe that homosexuality is a choice to choose to be homosexual. This would mean that 67% of the population--including the 7% already homosexual--would no longer be procreating, while the remaining 33% would continue to ensure that the human species carries on. In one swift, decisive maneuver, the rate of procreation would drop by nearly two-thirds, and such an effect would easily ripple over the rest of the world. Studies and polls consistently show that on average, 60% of the population considers homosexuality a choice. Should this majority of the human race follow my plan, in the time of one century the population would drop by 2.21 billion.# A population spike over 55 years would take less than double that time to correct, a far better prediction than the era allotted for remedying the ozone layer or waste disposal.
Of course, in a pious country such as ours, the moral aspect of choosing homosexuality must be considered. For all those good Christians who worry about the condition of their souls, never fear--God is merciful and loving. As He already overlooks the end of slavery, the presence of menstruating women in our company, the discontinuance of using rods to beat our children, the reluctance of men to offer their virgin daughters to crowds of rapists in exchange for the protection of two strangers, and our many other daily sins that keep us from being just and righteous, surely He will understand this other minor transgression. Indeed, this plan may even aid in the deliverance of many souls! After all, it is estimated over 50% of the population has divorced and remarried--the equivalent of Biblical adultery. But! if my plan is followed, that percentage is certain to decrease, and as the seventh of the exalted Ten Commandments, adultery is without a doubt a far greater sin unto God than homosexuality. Furthermore, as this sin is committed for the benefit of the global community, surely He will continue to be benevolent and gracious.
(A note for those who worry about the members of their own religious communities: let us remember that none of us are dangerous religious fundamentalists, and so we will always treat our brethren with compassion. Even the people who refuse to cooperate with this most efficient and beneficial plan will be treated kindly and prayed for, in hopes that they may overcome their pride and stop believing God made a mistake while listing his top ten priorities for humanity.)
In addition, beyond reaching the goal of avoiding hyperpopulation and high taxes, beyond the spiritual value to be gained, there are many more practical benefits to be made by following this plan. Voluntary homosexuality would lead to an increased number of adoptions, a reduced number of children born out of wedlock, a reduced numbers of abortions, and a reduced amount of domestic abuse. There would be increased work efficiency since people would be able to focus on their jobs without the stresses of raising a family, and yet workers would have a greater amount of leisure time and money. The amount of trash produced would decrease dramatically, and there would no longer be agonized rushes and strife over applying to colleges. There could even possibly be a rise in the spread of HIV but a reduced spread of non-lethal STDs, which is definitely a win-win situation when considering population growth and personal comfort.
Naturally, I would never be so barbaric as to suggest promotion of environmentalism, immediate planning for the living space of the future generations, limits to the number of children permitted per family, or swift aid in educating and aiding developing countries. Nor would I ever advise that our lofty, prodigal people give up luxuries in order to conserve resources, reduce pollution, and diminish damage to the environment. This simple little plan will serve to reduce the effects of overpopulation by rectifying the source itself, and thus is a far more potent solution but requires only minimal effort. After all, the people of America make choices every day.
I must admit, however, that I am one of the 25% who believe that homosexuality is not a choice; no matter how strongly I decide to change my sexual preference, I always resign myself to being soundly incapable. Ergo, I cannot partake in this grand revolution, and it is with much regret I must leave this opportunity for the betterment of the world to the greater fraction of the human race.
Secondly, read and discuss the following amazing essay by
kimetara:According to other countries, Americans are egoistic, ignorant, and uncaring of the world community; yet every day I am constantly bombarded with issues concerning religion (and the danger of its fundamentalists), war ("why are we still in there now that we've won?"), hurricanes (inevitably linked to government ineptness and general pity), homosexuality (is it a choice? 60% say aye, 25% say nay, and 15% declare themselves undecided), and gas prices (are you positive that what comes up must come down?). Certainly, with all this discussion we can't possibly be as egoistic, ignorant, or uncaring as the globe believes us to be.
Nevertheless, there is a major issue that admittedly deserves more of our concern: overpopulation. The average American family has two children, and 77% of the population has some involvement in a family. At the moment, the current world population is approximately 6.5 billion, and growing at the rate of three people per second. During the past five years alone, the population has increased by 500 million, and by the year 2035, we are expected to hit the 10 billion mark--from overpopulation to hyperpopulation. What will this mean? Well, some predict hazardous overcrowding, depletion of resources, massive famine, and an increased spread of diseases, but the most troubling prospects are that of an over-competitive job market and higher taxes to provide for all the people under Social Security.
In order to ward off this fearful future, I have formulated a simple yet effective plan of action. Granted, the populations of undeveloped nations are far larger than our own and grow at a much faster rate, but as Americans, we well know that we are the world's role model, and should we follow a plan of action, our less-fortunate fellow nations will assuredly join us. Just as we have been the city upon a hill for democracy, tolerance, and capitalism, so we will be the leader of yet another movement to save the world.
My plan is this: I propose for all those who believe that homosexuality is a choice to choose to be homosexual. This would mean that 67% of the population--including the 7% already homosexual--would no longer be procreating, while the remaining 33% would continue to ensure that the human species carries on. In one swift, decisive maneuver, the rate of procreation would drop by nearly two-thirds, and such an effect would easily ripple over the rest of the world. Studies and polls consistently show that on average, 60% of the population considers homosexuality a choice. Should this majority of the human race follow my plan, in the time of one century the population would drop by 2.21 billion.# A population spike over 55 years would take less than double that time to correct, a far better prediction than the era allotted for remedying the ozone layer or waste disposal.
Of course, in a pious country such as ours, the moral aspect of choosing homosexuality must be considered. For all those good Christians who worry about the condition of their souls, never fear--God is merciful and loving. As He already overlooks the end of slavery, the presence of menstruating women in our company, the discontinuance of using rods to beat our children, the reluctance of men to offer their virgin daughters to crowds of rapists in exchange for the protection of two strangers, and our many other daily sins that keep us from being just and righteous, surely He will understand this other minor transgression. Indeed, this plan may even aid in the deliverance of many souls! After all, it is estimated over 50% of the population has divorced and remarried--the equivalent of Biblical adultery. But! if my plan is followed, that percentage is certain to decrease, and as the seventh of the exalted Ten Commandments, adultery is without a doubt a far greater sin unto God than homosexuality. Furthermore, as this sin is committed for the benefit of the global community, surely He will continue to be benevolent and gracious.
(A note for those who worry about the members of their own religious communities: let us remember that none of us are dangerous religious fundamentalists, and so we will always treat our brethren with compassion. Even the people who refuse to cooperate with this most efficient and beneficial plan will be treated kindly and prayed for, in hopes that they may overcome their pride and stop believing God made a mistake while listing his top ten priorities for humanity.)
In addition, beyond reaching the goal of avoiding hyperpopulation and high taxes, beyond the spiritual value to be gained, there are many more practical benefits to be made by following this plan. Voluntary homosexuality would lead to an increased number of adoptions, a reduced number of children born out of wedlock, a reduced numbers of abortions, and a reduced amount of domestic abuse. There would be increased work efficiency since people would be able to focus on their jobs without the stresses of raising a family, and yet workers would have a greater amount of leisure time and money. The amount of trash produced would decrease dramatically, and there would no longer be agonized rushes and strife over applying to colleges. There could even possibly be a rise in the spread of HIV but a reduced spread of non-lethal STDs, which is definitely a win-win situation when considering population growth and personal comfort.
Naturally, I would never be so barbaric as to suggest promotion of environmentalism, immediate planning for the living space of the future generations, limits to the number of children permitted per family, or swift aid in educating and aiding developing countries. Nor would I ever advise that our lofty, prodigal people give up luxuries in order to conserve resources, reduce pollution, and diminish damage to the environment. This simple little plan will serve to reduce the effects of overpopulation by rectifying the source itself, and thus is a far more potent solution but requires only minimal effort. After all, the people of America make choices every day.
I must admit, however, that I am one of the 25% who believe that homosexuality is not a choice; no matter how strongly I decide to change my sexual preference, I always resign myself to being soundly incapable. Ergo, I cannot partake in this grand revolution, and it is with much regret I must leave this opportunity for the betterment of the world to the greater fraction of the human race.
