Obligation to Future Generations?

[Midpack]

Do we have an obligation to address any issues including but not limited to:

• Conserving energy (oil, coal, natural gas, etc.) & developing alternative energy sources
• Conserving other resources (water for one)
• Preserving the environment (clean air, water)
• Preserving species
• Responsible harvesting of food sources
• Addressing Social Security/Medicare
• Addressing Health Care
• Reducing deficits/debt

Or are we entitled to whatever we can get out of society, when they become a problem, that generation can deal with it.

[harley]

Yes. Numbers 1-3 are important in number 4. Oh, you meant other species?

I reread the poll, and the choices aren't mutually exclusion. Yes, we should. No, we probably won't.

[HFWR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack Do we have an obligation to address any issues including but not limited to: Conserving energy (oil, coal, natural gas, etc.) & developing alternative energy sources Conserving other resources (water for one) Preserving the environment (clean air, water) Preserving species Responsible harvesting of food sources Addressing Social Security/Medicare Addressing Health Care Reducing deficits/debt

Yes to all. The devil is in the details, I suspect...

[crazy connie]

Yes, we do owe many things to the future generations. One that is very frightening is the debt. One of my goals is to leave money to my children to help defray the increased tax burden they will have. I can not cure world hunger or fix the enviornment but hopefully can leave some money set aside so that it will help defray the overspending debt that our nation is growing at an astounding pace. Just trying to do my part for my kids and hopefully it will help them. If I am alive and healthy long enough the death taxes will help the feds as well.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack Do we have an obligation to address any issues including but not limited to:

Obligation? Heck, there's a lot of money to be made in solving those problems, so why wait for some young whippersnapper to get all the riches glory?

[Zathras]

As a very wise person once said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR Yes to all. The devil is in the details, I suspect...

[dex]

There is too much talk about doing something for the children.
Maybe there are just too many children.
The only people that care about children are those who have/had them. And, by the looks of how many of have turned out and are treated; a lot of parents don't really care that much.
Instead of working on the supply side, how about getting the demand side down.
Reduce the number of those under 50 and we will have enough resources and time to figure out the solutions.

Besides, can anyone prove to me that when I die the universe doesn't cease to exist also?

[travelover]

• Conserving energy (oil, coal, natural gas, etc.) & developing alternative energy sources Bah, humbug. Strip mines can be a beautiful thing. And there are too damn many mountain tops in West Virginia anyway.
• Conserving other resources (water for one) Nonsense, most of the Earth's surface is covered with water.
• Preserving the environment (clean air, water) Industry will do the right thing and solve these so called problems when they arise
• Preserving species Bring me a Spotted Owl sandwich on rye.
• Responsible harvesting of food sources What's the issue? Plant it and eat it. If the damn bugs eat it, spray 'em with DDT
• Addressing Social Security/Medicare Double benefits for current retirees.
• Addressing Health Care If you can't afford a doctor, then just die so we don't have to listen to your whining.
• Reducing deficits/debt Eliminate taxes and just print money.

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack Do we have an obligation to address any issues including but not limited to: Conserving energy (oil, coal, natural gas, etc.) & developing alternative energy sources Conserving other resources (water for one) Preserving the environment (clean air, water) Preserving species Responsible harvesting of food sources Addressing Social Security/Medicare Addressing Health Care Reducing deficits/debt Or are we entitled to whatever we can get out of society, when they become a problem, that generation can deal with it.

The per capita debt I have contributed to (although I still can't find my share) is high but less than what it cost us (DW and I) to put each of our kids through college, so I'm not no sure if we owe them or they owe us.

On the other issues, what about the value of a longer life expectancy, better nutrition and better health care, just to name three. By better I mean the improvement from when they were born to when they reach adulthood. Our generation has made some positive contributions to humanity that should also be included.

[M Paquette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex There is too much talk about doing something for the children. Maybe there are just too many children.

Yes... Yes! Too, too many tasty delicious children! What to do? What to do?

[kumquat]

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Originally Posted by M Paquette Yes... Yes! Too, too many tasty delicious children! What to do? What to do?

Are you suggesting kinderwurst, Jonathon?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack Do we have an obligation to address any issues including but not limited to: Conserving energy (oil, coal, natural gas, etc.) & developing alternative energy sources Conserving other resources (water for one) Preserving the environment (clean air, water) Preserving species Responsible harvesting of food sources Addressing Social Security/Medicare Addressing Health Care Reducing deficits/debt .

Some of these questions have a 'situational' element. My situation differs from most of the board because of where I live. I've taken the liberty of numbering the bullet points in the original post for easy reference.

1. My part of the world has abundant supplies of energy, enough to supply us locals for several generations
2. Currently, I live on a large river with a small population. >90% of that water flows into Hudson's Bay. This water will never make the Gobi Desert blossom. Should I waste other resources to buy new low-flush johns?
3. Clean air, yes, even though our area has it. CO2, I'm not so sure.
4. Which species? I know of several, including one primate, that probably need a major reduction.
5. This and #4 may be in conflict.
6. Done that here
7. More or less, done that here
8. More or less, done that here.

My answers would probably differ if I lived elsewhere.

[ziggy29]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB The per capita debt I have contributed to (although I still can't find my share) is high but less than what it cost us (DW and I) to put each of our kids through college, so I'm not no sure if we owe them or they owe us.

True, but as more and more people go to college -- to the point where it's expected of almost all kids born today -- it becomes less of a differentiator and more of a commodity.

[CuppaJoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Paquette Yes... Yes! Too, too many tasty delicious children! What to do? What to do?

A Swift and Modest Proposal?

[Kwirk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex Besides, can anyone prove to me that when I die the universe doesn't cease to exist also?

Oh, a testable hypothesis! I like those.

[CuppaJoe]

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Originally Posted by dex ... Besides, can anyone prove to me that when I die the universe doesn't cease to exist also?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwirk Oh, a testable hypothesis! I like those.

Can we prove Dex exists now, or ever has?

[HFWR]

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Originally Posted by CuppaJoe Can we prove Dex exists now, or ever has?

I drink, therefore I am...

[eridanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumquat Currently, I live on a large river with a small population. >90% of that water flows into Hudson's Bay. This water will never make the Gobi Desert blossom. Should I waste other resources to buy new low-flush johns?

The issue isn't water - it's treated, potable, water. Treating water costs big bucks. It requires a water treatment plant and a lot of electricity to run. That cost flows (har!) to you, the user.

This is even more important when the local population grows. Having to build a new treatment plant because the current one(s) can't meet demand means that everyone's bill rises with the tide. It's cheaper to conserve water.l

[bongo2]

How about a poll on if we young-uns are obligated to honor promises made to past generations (by past generations) such as social security?

[ziggy29]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongo2 How about a poll on if we young-uns are obligated to honor promises made to past generations (by past generations) such as social security?

It's a two-way street. To the extent that society can only continue to prosper as long as generations continue to honor moral and social obligations to other generations, it has to flow in all directions, both to those who come before us and those who come after us.

[harley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongo2 How about a poll on if we young-uns are obligated to honor promises made to past generations (by past generations) such as social security?

Poll all you want. It won't be old people showing up at your door with guns if you don't pay your taxes.