There are many bemoaning political gridlock in America, questioning how we will overcome the current dysfunction in order to deal with pressing issues. While I could not agree more, my favorite (if that is the appropriate word) example of the failure of representative democracy in this country comes from an earlier decade, illustrating that there have long been serious problems. It is this: not adopting the metric system. You may wonder why I choose such a seemingly minor event, but while other disasters such as the War on Drugs are loaded with complicated issues, the conversion to the metric system was completely unambiguous in its long term benefit relative to the modest costs involved. The fact that other nations successfully switched around the same time makes our attempt appear all the more feeble. It was a moment for our leaders to lead, rather than to cave to irrational discontent. Things have not improved since, unfortunately, and it leaves me pessimistic at a deeper level than even the Citizens United ruling.
I am not a drug user but probably make selling/buying drugs easier... When I was in the 3rd grade (warning: Old man talk) legislation was passed in Congress for the US to switch in 10 years. There was such a firestorm from the American public Congress backed down. 'Our way is the right way' mentality.
ReplyDeleteThe moralizing component makes that one less cut and dry (the primary appeal of the metric issue for me) although I certainly agree with you that The War on Drugs is an unmitigated disaster.
ReplyDeleteThe inability to phase out the penny is another I like to point to (especially since Canada has just done so) but the metric system is more important.