Re: Laura: Gore's Agenda for Global Electronic Government

["Laura J. Walker" <LJW6626@worldnet.att.net>]

Edward Britton wrote:

> Laura:
>
> >Or, are you advocating complete chaos, without any form of taxation or
> governmental benefits...? ;-]
>
> In this context, I advocate nothing. I only forwarded an e-mail sent to me on
> the general topic of invasion of privacy.
>
> My specific beliefs as they relate to your suggestion that the privacy of all
> citizens be traded off in the attempt to catch deadbeat students, dads, (fill
> in your deadbeat of choice), etc are focused on the heart of the problem of
> government invasiveness: wee there a " government conspiracy" to slowly erode
> citizens' rights to privacy, surely it would be centered around the
> propagandistic notion that it is all in our best interest.

IMO, the best way to handle the creeping problems posed by this new era of
computerization and electronic 'commerce' is, as I ALWAYS advocate, for
consumers, end users and activists to use our democratic system of governance
to make the necessary changes: local, state and federal legislation; electing
local, state and federal leaders who will listen to the citizenry that elects
them!!

As Americans have generally become lazy with regard to doing the work of
maintaining liberty. such conspiracy would have found fertile ground.

I'm not sure I agree with your premise that Americans have become lazy w/re: to
maintaining liberty.  Quite the contrary -- my perspective is that people are
generally better informed and more involved than ever, primarily at state and
local levels.  In addition to this, however, is the continuing responsibility
of every citizen and person who cares about these issues to take some
individual responsibility for "passing the knowledge and information on" to
others, every day!

I used to be extremely radical (way back in the 60s and 70s) and thought the
only way to change our system was to dismantle it piece by piece.  However, I
have seen the kind of chaos and violence -- not to mention the distinctly
fundamentalist religious, white supremacist stamp -- such dismantling can and
will create in the work of the numerous militias around the country.  It would
be tantamout to a religious-military-race war.  Who exactly do you think is
"floating" all these trial balloons about decentralizing, downsizing,
eliminating the "government" from our lives?!?

The fact that educated people buy into this, out of disenchantment or cynicism
in our system of governance, is more appalling to me even than these
anti-government actions, themselves.

> Just exactly what are we willing to give up to be "protected" from
> criminals or deadbeats?

Apparently, from your take, our entire way of life -- good, bad or
indifferent.  I don't disagree that our prison system needs massive
restructuring and reform, or that our social service system and its agencies
need the same restructuring and reform -- they do!  I am appalled that we have
more prisons than any civilized country in the western world, that we routinely
lock up a disproportionate number of minorities, and that the criminal justice
system is almost completely out of control.  I am extremely concerned about
where our high-tech electronic, computerized society is heading.  But damned if
I want to return to a lawless, disordered society, or be blown back into the
dark ages.  Every change and stretch -- evolution, if you will -- in a society
is accompanied by problems, dangers and potential dangers.  So it has always
been and will always be.

OTOH, I have no desire to foot the bill -- financially or morally -- for people
who deliberately set out to scam the system, no matter what or who they are!

Have we become so in need of "being protected" that we are willing to give up
all of our rights in the pursuit of such an illusion?

I don't think there are many people who believe that one necessarily overrides
the other.  There is a balance between a "society's" needs and individual
rights.  Sorry, that's the way it has always been.  This is NOT to say,
however, that I (or others) need roll over and act like we are being victimized
by "government", especially when this new electronic age ALSO provides equal
(if not more) opportunities for individuals to become engaged and involved in
our society and government, making it possible for greater change and evolution
than ever before!

Laura

> Edward (a recovering liberal)   ><>
> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
>   "From the rage of today's downtrodden comes the revenge of tomorrow's
>                     revolutionary force." Edward Britton   ><>
>            http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5285/connector1.html
>     Talk to the planet: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/Reality_Pump2
> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>