My series on Captain Kirk and the Unintended Consequences of Compassion prompted a lot of comments. Thank you everyone who responded. Here are some of the highlights:
John Fontana provided several comments including “Very well done and carefully worded. Could not agree with you more“. I guess I forgive John for his comments of a couple months ago. 
John also commented: “…an entire generation…of people [seems to have forgotten] that equal opportunity does not guarantee equal results; that if left alone innovation and long term growth are achieved thru a series of failures.“ Well said John.
A different John said: “It’s not clear to me that compassion for the people is our biggest risk here – The government seems to have a significant bias for the super-wealthy that could be a far greater problem.” I too am frustrated by the bailout of the financial institutions. Perhaps something significant was necessary but I agree that very weathy people benefited in an inappropriate way. But, John, you are taking your eye off of the bigger picture of socialistic policies.
Scott contributed a few long comments, much of which I didn’t agree with or didn’t fully understand. Buried in his comment was “This administration and the majority in the legislative branch are starting to prove they are just as arrogant and stupid as the previous administration. I am now convinced that obama is very naive…“ The choice of words is inflammatory but the sentiment is something I am tending toward. It is amazing that the Bush administration was ridden out of town–based on good reason I might add–for being arrogant, naive, and stubborn. So shortly into this new administration, the same tendencies are being displayed. Only difference is that Bush displayed them in International politics whereas Obama is displaying them in domestic.
Darren added: “There’s also the old theory of ‘Creative Destruction’ from which turned into the term ‘disruptive innovation’ in the 1990’s.“ Good point.
Rob said: “This post feels like part of a process whereby someone comes to the slow conclusion that they are regretting putting in office the person they voted for. Smaller government is good. Obama did not run on that platform.“ Rob–don’t rub it in. I used to tell Democrats that they couldn’t blame me for voting for Bush since they put John Kerry up as the alternative. Now I’ll say don’t blame me for voting for Obama as the Republicans came up short in their alternative.
Bill said: “Sounds to me like Captain Kirk would have the US automakers and all other ‘too big to fail’ companies die their violent deaths, and have society learn, grow and rebuild from the events, rather than ‘humanely’ allow them to limp along, draining our society for 500 years.“ Well said. Except Kirk would provide reasonable assistance so long as the “victims” are willing to help themselves.
From the get-go, MH caught onto where I was taking this: “I think you’re making the comparison to our current economic “war”. The government is trying to simulate a healthy economy which will cause this to drag out longer than necessary. If they step back, let us feel the destruction of the mistakes, then recovery can begin and lessons can be learned.” Very perceptive, MH.
Rico opined: “Evolution that while painful to some of us (I know, my number came up and I am unemployed now), is necessary nevertheless. Let us fight the good war, learn from it, minimize collateral damage, and if comes to it, die with honor.” Thanks for sharing your thoughts Rico.
Steve showed his Trekie bent: “…I am a Star Trek fan… I find it interesting to see how much of the advanced futuristic technology depicted in the show has come to be common place today.“ Then Steve couldn’t help himself, as he closed his comment with “live long and prosper.”
Finally, Mark chided the notion of looking to William Shatner for life lessons: Instead, Mark pointed to “Cheryl Ladd in the trailer for Charlie’s Angels.“ If you are referring to the wet hair, bikini, boat clip, I will concede the point.
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Dan,
Rob said: “This post feels like part of a process whereby someone comes to the slow conclusion that they are regretting putting in office the person they voted for. Smaller government is good. Obama did not run on that platform.“ Rob–don’t rub it in. I used to tell Democrats that they couldn’t blame me for voting for Bush since they put John Kerry up as the alternative. Now I’ll say don’t blame me for voting for Obama as the Republicans came up short in their alternative”
Did you check any of the other candidates?!?
There was a very wide field of very good candidates across the board and until they also receive equal footing with the current 2 party power play nothing will change.
Both of the 2 current parties have lost thier way, both need to sit out a while and remember what they are sworn to do.
For example: Why does the US GOv’t pay salaries and benefits, including a penion to the legislative branch!?!? I think this obligation should be met by the State they represent. The pay and benefits should be equal or even somewhat less than the Governor of the State. Pension Plan!?!?…get rid of that and you may find we don’t need term limit legislation at any level.
do you know how many federal funds would be saved if the states paid the salary and welfare of their elected representative in Congress.
We have let politicians pay themself, give each raises, and retire and it has caused major issues. Career politicians are not good for us and never have been.
that comment may spark other comments stating how much experience matters in our our candidates. I would refut that based on the guy trying to be the President now.
Besides maybe we need more of this in Washington:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6DORwBzuA
How does one learn from any lessons when his/her philosophy includes avoiding implementing any guardrails to avoid the same mistakes again? A laissez-faire chicago school disciple believes that the market can not be impeded at all…under no circumstance. Therefore there are no mistakes or lessons to be learned since the invisible hand will take care of it all. So the lesson is that there will be higher highs (bubbles) and lower lows, crashes (or corrections), and that we stand back live with both even when greed and corruption takes the car off the road for a while.
craig,
good points.
So how do you stop greed and corruption when the political and financial systems are interlaced the way they are today? Both are to blame, both are greedy, evil and corrupt.
I see no difference in a greedy bank that helped get us to this level and an administration and legislative brnach doing what ever it can to bail them out at OUR expense!
I see no difference in GM refusing to make a product I would ever buy and then coming to DC w/ hat in hand and a Government HAS retro-actively taxed a form of legally bound compensation all in the name of selective outrage and knee kerking to save their sorry asses at election time!
I see no difference between a CEO that lays off hundreds of employess to make his yearly numbers and a government that thinks it has the right and say so to fire the CEO/Chairman of a US company!
how do you unwind absolute power that absolutely has corrupted two of our major systems?
Until we all work on that answer and work on it regardless of political sound byte driven discord, we are simply sheeple or worse mushrooms kept in the dark and consistently fed horseschit…
Perhaps we should remember that it’s a government for the people and by the people. I agree with you that this congress has overreacted in situations but then again we’re used to it from both sides for many years and numb to it. Debate has all but evaporated in our system and each side acts like the majority gives then a mandate to not even listen to the other side.