[USMA:28272] RE: The New American Century

[Chimpsarecute]

From what I am reading and hearing of late, that attitude is under severe attack.  I wouldn't doubt it if the falling dollar is a deliberate attack on the economy of the US by people around the world who are sick and tired of American arrogance.  The US can protect itself from bombs and biological weapons, but it has no defence against an attack on the dollar.  The dollar is America's Achilles heel.    I believe that an effective metrication program depends on the US being an equal partner in the family of nations, not an imperial power.  Like I said, US metrication will not happen until there is both a serious regime and attitude change in the US.  Without it not only will there not be any metrication to speak of but the lifestyle that millions have depended upon will disappear in a flash.   An America that metricates is saying that they have an attitude of respect and equality with the rest of the world.  An America that fights metrication is an America that does not want to be equal with the world but has an attitude of superiority.  People and nations with superiority complexes usually end up having their heads chopped off.     ----- Original Message ----- From: Carleton MacDonald To: U.S. Metric Association Sent: Saturday, 2004-01-10 13:38 Subject: [USMA:28224] RE: The New American Century I know quite a few people who think that because this is America we are on top of the world, why should we change, and the rest of the world should change and do things the way we do.   cm   -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Phil Chernack Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2004 13:28 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:28223] RE: The New American Century   I read the article and found it very insightful.  I then took a look at other articles on the Idaho Observer site and found many other interesting points.  Maybe one way we metrication advocates could strike a chord with people is to point out how the entrenched powers that be (corporations, unions, government) pay lip service to the need of metrication are really content to let things continue because of the perceived threat metrication has to their bottom lines and own selfish interests.  Once again, progress (economic, educational, scientific) for the American people is being held at bay by these very forces that would have us believe that metrication is cumbersome, unnecessary or downright bad for us.  Many years ago, people were told the same things about flouridation of water.   Phil   P.S.  You might find the following article of interest.  http://www.paulgraham.com/sayhtml.  It talks about forbidden ideas, their value and how ideas are perceived over time.  Sure, it may not mention metric specifically but I do belive it has plenty of relevance to how metrication is perceived in the U.S. today. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Chimpsarecute Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2004 2:27 AM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:28222] The New American Century The following article doesn't deal with metric, but about US economic policy in general since the end of the 2-nd World War until the present and beyond.   Seeing how the US has such dominance in both economy and military, can one ever envision the US following the world and becoming a metric country?  But if that dominance becomes weak enough or ends completely and the US has to play by the same rules as everyone else, then the motivation will exist to bring about full metrication.    I highly doubt that under the present US global economic strategy, as long as it exists, will the US ever see the need to metricate.  We are wasting our time hoping for such a miracle.  If or when that miracle happens, the US will be a totally different country then it is now.   http://proliberty.com/observer/20031001.htm   Any comments?