One of the reasons for the failure of national leadership could be tied to the electoral system. In both the UK and the US a small shift in public opinion leads to huge gains and losses in seats won and lost in Parliament or Congress. Politicians therefore are not prepared to compromise themselves if it does not win votes instantly - Remember Harold Wilson's famous comment "A week is a long time in politics".
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: 08 December 2010 16:17 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:49066] Fractional Divisions of Units If everyday Americans like to use whole numbers, why does the *nation* of north Americans persist in retaining layered chains of irrational (non decimal) divisions of measurement units (only some of which are 'times 1/2')? Answers: Inertia of habit, and failure of national leadership in Congress to require adoption of SI. ---- Original message ---- >Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 09:39:35 -0500 (EST) >From: [email protected] >Subject: [USMA:49058] Re: new fuel economy label under review by EPA Re: Re: Nissan Leaf >To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> >Cc: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> >... ...but I do know that everyday American like to use whole numbers 1, 2, 3 not 3.785 Liter (metric gallon) >...
