Skeptics in the Jeep!

I was going through some of my pictures today and came across this video I had forgotten about from my Skeptics in the Jeep adventure last month. I'd tell the story, but Brian Dunning has already done a fantastic job of that over on Skepticblog, so your best off just reading his version of the Jeeping trip of doom, as it's better (and far less wordy) than anything I could have written.

Obama's Healthcare Speech: Can You Have Too Many Choices?

If you want to read more on the subject of what happens when a person is offered too many choices in an area that is rather complex, I highly suggest Thaler and Sunstein's book "Nudge". Specifically chapter 10 on Medicare Part D (i.e. prescription drugs for the elderly).

Also, if you like the necklace and want one for yourself, just head on over to Surly-Ramics.

Welcome to the California DMV

Sure, I'm on vacation, but I got back from the DMV and just had to share my experiences. Serious props to the DMV workers. You have had your schedules slashed and your workload increased, but still managed to have a pleasant and happy demeanor.

Nothing to see here, move along

Just wanted to check in. I'm currently in the process of redecorating the site, so it may look different every time you come look at it. I can't figure out how to do it offline and then upload (if anyone knows, please tell me!!), so it might look funny at times. I appologize. Blog posts and videos may be a bit lacking for the next few weeks while I work on designing the site. If you happen to be really good at stuff like this and want to help me, please send me an email at jamiebb at uchicago dot edu and let me know.

However, I did want to pimp out my friend Phillip's new web comic, Brain Emancipation. It's adorable, funny and smart all at the same time. He's only got a few comics up so far, but they are really well done, so you should go check it out.

I think my favorite of his so far is this one.

Oh, and follow me on twitter.

Domain!!

I now have my very own personal corner of the web.

http://www.cutersideofpolitics.net

(yah, ".com" was taken -- boo).

I'm now official. I'm going to work on redecorating and logos and such over the next month.

Oh, and follow me on Twitter! Seriously, do it.

Some Opinions, Please

Just wanted to check in to say that I'm not giving up so soon on my new found enthusiasm for the blog and videos. I'm currently in the middle of a big move, so I'm really busy. Posting is going to be a bit lax for the next week or so.

In the meantime, I need some opinions. I've realized it is super cheap to get my own domain name. I have no idea why I haven't done this earlier, but it really is about time. I was thinking either www.thecuterside.com or www.cuterpolitics.com or maybe something else. Any opinions or ideas?

Gerrymandering and Open Elections

I was chatting with some friends via email today. With permission (and identifying data removed) I'd like to share it.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ty
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:33 AM
To: Jamie, Brian
Subject: Video

Have either of you seen the video of a Republican congressman (I can't remember which one, but I think it was in Maine) at a town hall meeting where a lady stands up and shows her birth certificate? She starts shouting about how Obama isn't a legal citizen and that her grandfather fought in WWII (but she doesn't remember/know that Obama's grandfather also fought in WWII). Then the audience starts to recite the pledge of allegiance to drown out the congressman as he tries to explain that Obama is a citizen. It's funny/scary/weird as hell. What has happened to the Republican party?


-----Original Message-----
From: Jamie
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:37 AM
To: Ty, Brian
Subject: RE: Video

I'm glad I never saw that.


-----Original Message-----
From: Brian
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:57 AM
To: Jamie, Ty
Subject: RE: Video

I have not seen that either.

My teacher had email that listed Dilbert's rule of order.

One reads

"Never argue, with an idiot they will lower you down to their level and beat you with experience."

I believe that is applicable for this video.

In response to what has happen to the Republican Party. It is the same thing that is happening/happened with the Democratic party. To win a primary you have to appeal to the extreme of your party. In the general election (mostly with congressional elections) the district is gerrymander so the hard liner wins, because a Democratic/Republican would never vote for the other party, no matter how crazy their candidate is. When the hard liner wins it fuel division and scars people to their corners (democratic/republican), so moderates slowly die. People become more radical because the minority party has a perfect example to hate the ruling party and the ruling party uses the attacks as an excuse to attack back. It is really a cycle.

I'm not going to link to the video in question because 1) I REALLY don't want to see it and 2) that's not really the point. Brian's statement about gerrymandering leading to polarizing politics got me thinking. I'd actually like to argue that this is not the case with all states, perhaps just most. We can't all be the gerrymandered (yet lovely) California, but every state does have a bit of this going on, pushing out moderates and putting all the power in the hands of extremists.

I have argued previously that one of the best ways to avoid this is via open elections. In other words, independents would be allowed to vote in the primary for a party of their choosing. Since independents make up a good 40% of the country, this would greatly change the type of candidates who make it to the general election. It will also cause candidates to do less pandering to their party and move towards the middle in order to pick up the independent voters.

The biggest argument I always hear against open primaries is that voters in one party could vote in the rival party's primary for the candidate that s/he believes will do the worst in the general election. The problem with this argument is that there is currently nothing stopping someone from registering in a different party and voting in their primary anyways. Since there doesn't seem to be a problem with this in closed primaries, I don't see why open primaries would change anything.

The other day, the Economist had an article about Washington State's primary system.

Washington’s old system, adopted in 1935, was a “blanket primary”. Voters were not required to declare a party affiliation and instead voted for one candidate for each office, no matter from which party. The leading vote-winner from each party for each office then went on to contest the general election.

Apparently, sometimes this system can even end in two democrats or two republicans running against each other in the general election. However, in 2000, the Supreme Court declared this system unconstitutional. In 2008, the Supreme Court reversed their decision and Washington has since gone back to having open primaries. The Economist said it best.

Daniel Evans, a three-term governor of Washington in the 1960s and 1970s and the epitome of moderation admits that it is too early, after just one cycle, to say that “top-two” primaries always lead to to centrism. In places with gerrymandered districts, the outcome could even be more polarisation. But so far the system looks promising, and California is right to consider it. Maybe the country should, too.

I'm Sorry in advance, ASU

I wanted to post these months ago when they originally aired. In fact, I even got requests for it, but I just couldn't do it. It just wasn't particularly nice. I mean, what if an ASU person likes reading my blog (assuming s/he can read of course). See! I can't help but take swipes at ASU.

Anyways, I just can't hold out any longer. It's one thing when my friends and I make jokes at ASU's expense, but another when ASU bashing is featured on the Daily Show and SNL.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Arizona State Snubs Obama
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Joke of the Day

Also, don't forget SNL's take on the matter. Seriously, click the link because unfortunately this video won't allow embedding.

The best part, though, came a couple days later when Obama gave his commencement speech at Notre Dame. He said the following:

I want to thank you for this honorary degree. I know it has not been without controversy. I don't know if you're aware of this, but these honorary degrees are apparently pretty hard to come by. So far I'm only 1 for 2 as President. Father Hesburgh is 150 for 150. I guess that's better. Father Ted, after the ceremony, maybe you can give me some pointers on how to boost my average.

Listening to the President make a swipe at ASU is probably the greatest thing ever!

Some thoughts on Sarah Palin Fans

The other day I was reading this Economist article on Sarah Palin and the people that love her. Specifically, I found this part really interesting.

Many Americans want as president someone who is exceptionally well-informed about public policy, who surrounds himself with experts, who weighs the evidence and then does what is best for the country. But few people are policy experts, so they often follow their hearts rather than their heads when deciding whom to vote for. Often, they assume that someone culturally similar to themselves will be more likely to look out for their interests. And that is why Mrs Palin is still so popular. There are an awful lot of Americans who see her as one of their own. She talks like them. She guts her own fish. She wears her faith on her sleeve. She obviously didn’t go to Harvard. And when people who did call her stupid or mock her faith or her family, her fans take it personally.

The Economist seems to be implying that many of the people who follow Palin take criticisms of her more personally than they would for other politicians. This would certainly explain the barrage of defensive comments I got on my Sarah Palin video the other day. From the comments you would think I had said something horrible about her, but all I did was make a silly, and rather non sequitur joke.

Here are some of my favorites:

i wanna unsubscribe to your channel cos you are wrong about Palin

You seem to me to be someone really adept at regurgitating the media mumbo jumbo. Congradulations for being a dumb person with a webcam.

jesus christ, get off the woman's back.

At least have an educated response!

The Endangered Species Act

Just because a policy feels good, doesn't mean it works.

Part 1


Part 2


Citations:

United States Code (2008). Conservation: Endangered Species. USC Title 16, Ch. 35, Sec. 1531-1544.
Link

Brown, G. M., Shogren, J. F. (Summer 1998). Economics of the Endangered Species Act. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 12(3), 3-20.
Link

Lueck, D., Michael, J. A. (Apr 2003). Preemptive Habitat Destruction under the Endangered Species Act. The Journal of Law and Economics, 46(27). Retrieved November 3, 2008, from Lexis Nexis Academic database.
Link