At 28 October 2005, 02:44 AM, Stephen Humphreys wrote:
If the USMA policy is to change the whole of the USA overnight, state, people, newspapers, TV, to metric then that would be a first. It would also be a miracle.
I cannot speak for the USMA, but do not think any of the officers of the organization are naive enough to think metrication could happen overnight.
However, I think the reason for this is important to remember: the USA is a country where the government does NOT have the power to control every minute affair, particularly in an economic arena. Even if enough representatives and congressmen decided to metricate "the country," they could only do so where they have legal influence. For example, the could require that Interstate highway signs be changed to metric, and they could amend the FPLA to require metric first (or metric only) labels.
But, there are lots of areas where the Feds have no authority, and thus could not mandate metrication. Some of these include: any areas where state governments have authority (e.g., K-12 schools, state universities an colleges, state roads), any areas not subject to ATF, FDA or USDA regulation (which leaves a huge segment of the economy), most of business-to-business activity, etc.
I am not saying the Feds cannot have a huge impact -- they certainly can, through two means: (a) as I have often pointed out, the US Federal Government is the single largest purchaser of goods and services in the country, and simply metricating itself would provide a tremendous impetus to the rest of the economy, and (b) Through fiscal arm-twisting, particularly in areas like schools ("we'll give you this funding if you agree to metricate").
However (and as Stephen points out), on the whole, it is inconceivable that the USA will metricate overnight. We will continue to do so in different areas at different rates. I do believe, however, that we are close to a tipping point here, where metrication will greatly accelerate.
Jim Jim Elwell, CAMS Electrical Engineer Industrial manufacturing manager Salt Lake City, Utah, USA www.qsicorp.com
