[Insider Trading]

Exactly, but acknowledge them as such. But the US could remove many of them (special interest groups, lobbyists) by reducing government intervention in the form of subsidies, tariffs, regulation etc as that is what empowers politicians - the ability to dole out money to special interest groups.

[Insider Trading]

Thanks for the link to the video. I agree that, in today's context, Congressmen should not own stocks directly. At most, stock should be held through some type of blind trust. Not trusting our current crop, I'd say that there should be restrictions even on such trusts.

I disagree with that entirely. Stocks are generally just one facet of a persons wealth - we own homes, office buildings, rental properties, bonds, managed futures accounts etc. Why should someone in Congress be forced to delegate the decision making of his property, his wealth, to another through a blind trust. There have been many problems with blind trusts primarily because people can't stand not having power over their own wealth. When Secretary of the Treasury Paulson sold $500 million of Goldman Sachs stock because it was a conflict of interest I was disgusted. How is the conflict of interest between a wealthy politician who could make decisions that would primarily benefit the wealthy any different from the conflict of interest between a poorer politician voting on issues that would increase government support to those in his position. As long as the conflict of interest is declared, then there is nothing wrong with the politician continuing to have control over his wealth and if his decisions benefit his position greatly then thats life - get over it because we all make decisions that are good for our own interest and someone like Paulson, if he advised Bush to further decrease taxes on the wealthy then the US economy would benefit along with him as the wealthy are those who have the largest stock of capital and if they can keep a larger portion of what they earn they'll move it from tax free municipals and other investments primarily made because of distortions created by taxes and invest it, increasing the amount of capital goods in the economy and increasing production and the standard of living. Let them just disclose their holdings and be treated like individuals not slaves to conflict of interest rubbish.

[New Education Curriculum]

Quoted from my school newsletter:

THE 8 KEY VALUES ARE:

EXCELLENCE by aiming high and persevering

in the face of difficulties

DIVERSITY as found in our different cultures

and heritages

COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATION for the

common good

RESPECT for themselves, for others and for

human rights

EQUITY which means fairness and social justice

INTEGRITY which involves being honest,

responsible and accountable and acting

ethically.

CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (the earth and

its interrelated eco-systems)

INNOVATION, INQUIRY AND CURIOSITY by

thinking creatively, critically and reflectively.

I was wondering if anyone would like to comment on these values and if they think they should be entrenched as a part of a curriculum.

[New Zealand - What Is Notable About It?]

Well I live in Tauranga, New Zealand and I think what is notable about New Zealand is that despite an entrenched, yet completely unwarranted welfare state mentality most Kiwis actually accept that the free market is good when it is explained to them how government intervention stuffs them up.