Has the US lost its edge permanently?

[Cbrider]

Hmmmmm.
________

You would make a good politician. You're hardheaded about things you need to be and you aren't easily swayed.

[IndiReloaded]

Actually, I happen to believe that politicians should be drawn from the general public, same as a jury system. 4-5 year term of service, some minimum requirements and experience, decent pay and rules that you can go back to your career afterward. Same as it works for university profs who take time to serve in a public office.

I think we would see a quite different system then. I am very skeptical of anyone who decides on an actual political career as a field of study. These candidates are typically flaky ditzes that couldn't make it in their own profession. Or they are lawyer-types who see it as a way to further their own business interests.

Go for it Fras.

Imagine the flack I'd get if I made my idea public IRL. LOL.

[Gribble]

I think they should be drawn from the best and brightest among us. Scientists, professors and the like. I don't trust the average person to be capable of much beyond tying his or her own shoes. I think I mentioned this a while ago. I don't trust anyone who seeks power.

[Junket]

I think they should be drawn from the best and brightest among us. Scientists, professors and the like. I don't trust the average person to be capable of much beyond tying his or her own shoes. I think I mentioned this a while ago. I don't trust anyone who seeks power.

Sometimes the best and the brightest have their heads too far above the clouds to be of any real benefit to the general population.

[Gribble]

They aren't the best and the brightest, then. Brilliant, sure. Bright, not so much. Perhaps this is just syntax, but when I say bright I mean a man who is both extremely intelligent and worldly. Some of the professors and most scientists I've met fall into the latter category.

[IndiReloaded]

Sometimes the best and the brightest have their heads too far above the clouds to be of any real benefit to the general population.

Silo-thinking. I agree. Many academics live in the bottom of their silos and blink at the light of the real world.

Another things to think about this is to give ppl votes according to a merit system. Everyone gets one for being born. You acquire more for a certain amount of education, achievement, public service, military service, etc. Votes get removed for criminal activity.

This way those who have contributed more get more of a 'say'. If you want to increase your say, become worthy of it. While everyone should have a say, I don't believe everyone's say is equal.

[SirWagginston]

Actually, I happen to believe that politicians should be drawn from the general public, same as a jury system. 4-5 year term of service, some minimum requirements and experience, decent pay and rules that you can go back to your career afterward. Same as it works for university profs who take time to serve in a public office.

I think we would see a quite different system then. I am very skeptical of anyone who decides on an actual political career as a field of study. These candidates are typically flaky ditzes that couldn't make it in their own profession. Or they are lawyer-types who see it as a way to further their own business interests.

Go for it Fras.

Imagine the flack I'd get if I made my idea public IRL. LOL.

Your idea sounds awesome. Regular republicanism sucks. People who would actually be good politicians never feel like becoming one, but assholes always do.

[Cbrider]

They aren't the best and the brightest, then. Brilliant, sure. Bright, not so much. Perhaps this is just syntax, but when I say bright I mean a man who is both extremely intelligent and worldly. Some of the professors and most scientists I've met fall into the latter category.

Agree'd that with the right crop, it would be a good change.

I think you would be surprised just how many extremely intelligent people live amongst us and interact with us everyday that we don't know about. Just because it isn't touted, doesn't mean its absent.

[SirWagginston]

You would be very surprised. I've been to MENSA gatherings, and a lot of those people work or McDonald's and/or live in their parents' basement.

[dewilliams2]

Actually, I happen to believe that politicians should be drawn from the general public, same as a jury system. 4-5 year term of service, some minimum requirements and experience, decent pay and rules that you can go back to your career afterward. Same as it works for university profs who take time to serve in a public office.

I think we would see a quite different system then. I am very skeptical of anyone who decides on an actual political career as a field of study. These candidates are typically flaky ditzes that couldn't make it in their own profession. Or they are lawyer-types who see it as a way to further their own business interests.

Go for it Fras.

Imagine the flack I'd get if I made my idea public IRL. LOL.

You forgot a third category...I'm neither flaky or want to further my business interests....I'm still young and naive enough I think I can actually do some good...I have yet to be crushed of this thought.

[IndiReloaded]

LOL. MENSA is for elitist assholes who enjoy patting themselves on the back. Its like ppl who join the local Harvard Club chapter. Its not IQ that matters, its what you do with it.

[Petit Papillon]

LOL. MENSA is for elitist assholes who enjoy patting themselves on the back. Its like ppl who join the local Harvard Club chapter. Its not IQ that matters, its what you do with it.

Mahahahahahahahhhahaa
Hahahaha Mensa gagagaga

This:

woman, called Doda Electroda, is a member of MENSA,with score 156 IQ pts
Now, don't say only elite,boring people join MENSA

[IndiReloaded]

PP, why do you think someone like that would even care about joining? Is it maybe she is concerned ppl will think she's a dumb blonde otherwise?

Most of the high-IQ folk that are interesting don't bother to join mensa. They are busy doing other things.

But, did I say only? You are right--there are always exceptions to be found.

[Petit Papillon]

She's a singer and polish celebirty, there was once national iq test made on tv and she was one of the stars in the studio that did it. SZhe got the highest score, and after her manager decided to get a real iq certificate,so she could show off And so people wouldn't call her stupid
Well I think even MENSA membership won't help her She tells everybody and everywhere to call her the queen and that "there is just one queen" lol

[CAM]

Well, she's certainly not patting herself on the back...she seems to patting herself on the rack...and making sure the rectal thermometer doesn't fall out...or something.

Seriously, though...Indi's right. Most supersmart people are smart enough not to join Mensa. The smartest people I know are the unknown quiet folks sho sit next to you in the airport lounge and then at boarding time, they are headed for first class with their corporate headhunter who is wining and dining them for the six figure salaried job. They are often very unasumming people wearing out of style clothes.

Mahahahahahahahhhahaa
Hahahaha Mensa gagagaga

This:

woman, called Doda Electroda, is a member of MENSA,with score 156 IQ pts
Now, don't say only elite,boring people join MENSA