Scientists & Engineers for America

Candidate Responses for MD-4

Comparing responses to Innovation & the Elections 2008 for:

Innovation

Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America’s continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?

Donna Edwards

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Donna Edwards to participate by sending her an email today.

Peter James

This question assumes that "Economic growth" is both a good thing. It also assumes that there was any true economic growth for the average American. In 1947 a US quarter (90%) silver purchased one gallon of gas today that same silver quarter will purchase that same gallon of gas. In 1963 a moderating priced home cost 1/4 the cost in real dollars of the same moderately priced home of today. Admittedly today's moderate homes are somewhat larger but not nearly four times larger. So in terms the average citizen we have seen a lost of economic well being.

Please watch this "Money as Debt" video to understand the real threat to our society. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9050474362583451279

The drift towards greater centralization of education has reduced its quality and richness. Educating everyone to the same standard give us a national of slaves educated to the lowest common denominator. Our school system is design around the Prussian model which was devised to keep a rule of bureaucrats in power and geared toward large factory settings of the industrial age. education must be returned to the parents and the local schools. This will provide the individual creativity that made us great.

Climate Change

The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?

Donna Edwards

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Donna Edwards to participate by sending her an email today.

Peter James

It is that wonderful economic growth you seem to worship which created this problem. Since Americans consume 30 times more than most of the world's citizens, population growth in the US must be stopped and if possible reversed. The only Constitutional power I see available to Congress is to stop both legal and illegal immigration.

Congress has no Constitutional authority to do much else other than some excise taxes.

While it is true that Treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol become the "Supreme Law" of the land if enter into by the President and ratified by the Senate, the House has zero say in these matters. That said I am opposed to economic treaties in general.

The cap and trade approach means wealthy emitters can buy pollution rights from the poor. Not very equitable.

We need to pursue clean non emitting energy sources such as geothermal, wind, passive solar and nuclear. However, Congress is granted no legal authority to regulate any of this.

I would support both individual and collective property rights to clean air and water and allow the courts to determine equitable solutions for any cross border infringement of these rights.

Energy

Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?

Donna Edwards

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Donna Edwards to participate by sending her an email today.

Peter James

If we pursued just ground loop geothermal we could save immediately on heating and cooling costs and environmental impacts. This could be easily implemented via state granted tax credits and deductions. This is the most cost effective solution but has gotten no residential government support because it doesn't grant any monopoly positions. Hence no lobbying dollars.

People need to stop seeking solutions from Government and just implement them themselves. Take the bus, install geothermal in their homes, buy an electric vehicle, etc.

Peek oil and peek coal will require that we change our reliance on fossil fuels. We have reached peek oil in the US many years ago. We should see peek oil hit the world in the next 10 years.

The government needs to get out of the way and let the free market provide solutions. If we only went back a Just Money system we would have ability to fund the conversion to non fossil fuel energy.

Here is a great video on exponential growth and peak oil. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QA2rkpBSY

Education

A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?

Donna Edwards

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Donna Edwards to participate by sending her an email today.

Peter James

As stated in answer #1 the federal Government has no Constitutional authority (please send me the section of you find it) to regulate education. Federal control of education is the shortest path to tyranny.

Restoring Just Money will allow parents to afford the cost of their children's education from whatever source them deem appropriate.

Water

Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?

Donna Edwards

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Donna Edwards to participate by sending her an email today.

Peter James

Zero population growth and sustainable industry. We must reject the flawed notion that growth is good. A stable sustain population and a fixed industrial requirement for water will allow nature to replenish water at it natural level. Society must then plan it consumption levels to fit what nature provides us.

We must also realize adding two of the most reactive chemicals/elements fluoride and chlorine is a big mistake. But again Congress has no role in this matter other than to provide for equitable water rights between the States.

Research

For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?

Donna Edwards

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Donna Edwards to participate by sending her an email today.

Peter James

Again Congress is granted no legal authority to invest taxpayers money on research. They further lack the necessary expertise to evaluate what research is meritous. I would return these funds to the citizens. Researcher will then have to make their case to state agencies, the free market, college tuitions and private grants.

I myself have always funded my research from private funds and on one occasion the State of Maryland.

Health

Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?

Donna Edwards

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Donna Edwards to participate by sending her an email today.

Peter James

Nearly all the silver bullets in medicine have been found.

Americans are over medicated. The love of money has driven the drug industry to do more harm than good in many cases. Their health is compromised by a food industry that has a vested interest in our over eating.

I believe science and technology should focus on prevention and nutrition. But alas their is no patents in this arena to provide the profit incentive.

The human body is the best healer. We need to study the how nature works

Again my opinion matters no more than any citizen because the Constitution grants Congress no powers to regulate the health industry.

I believe coops are the best solution to healthcare costs and quality control as the patients become the owners of the hospitals.
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