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Re: Metric System

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:53 pm
by EWang
In regards to Section 3, we really need to put $2 billion in context. With almost $12 trillion in national debt, more than $1 trillion dollars spent on bank bailouts/economic stimulus, and a proposed $3.6 trillion federal budget for FY2009, how much is $2 billion? Conversion to the metric system is a major project. What can $2 billion accomplish on a national scale?

Re: Metric System

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:36 pm
by Jgonzalez
I agree with Eric, that 2 billion dollars is a rather tentative ammount, and when you think of everything that would need converting: food lables, speed limit signs, speedometers, and a plethora of other things, and then factor in how many there are in America. 2 billion dollars most likely would not fully, maybe not even partially, convert America.

Re: Metric System

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:33 pm
by VSharma
Changing should not be done in a haste. It should just be done within a reasonable amount of time. By 2030, schools should be teaching just the metric units, road signs should be converted as well as exporting goods. This is an effortless oppurtunity to create jobs. Although it will cost a decent amount of America's revenue, America will be benefited in the long run for the following reasons:
- the metric units are easier to use
- businesses will gain more supply firms (especially foreign) such as Japanese and South Korean companies. They do not import goods with imperial units, only metric.
- companies will not waste money buying non standarized parts
Business improvement will lead to economic improvement. The opposing argument will say that it costs too much money. However, all major and necessary assignments do. Other minor projects will have to be suspended to save money to convert to the metric unit.
In the long run, it will be worth it.

Re: Metric System

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:59 pm
by VSharma
the chronic order of events that aid the conversion to the metric system are listed:
by 2018, all new products should have just metric units
by 2020, the majority of schools should be emphasizing the metric system in more detail than it is now
by 2025, all road signs should be changed
by 2030, all schools need be teaching the metric system, not the imperial units

Re: Metric System

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:05 pm
by bliang
I thought the debate today was pretty good. However, many people today made a certain error in their reasoning.

Practicality is more important than comfort of habit. People are so engrossed in personal right, that they lose sight of what is really important when discussing this topic.

For example, someone today mentioned that by using the Imperial system, we are being individuals and expressing ourselves. I find this completely laughable. You can be an individual in your ideals, in art, and even in everyday activities such as driving a car or playing video games. We all have our own style. But there is no style and no merit in personal expression regarding a system of measurement. It's a system of measurement. Let's be real, guys.

Re: Metric System

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:28 pm
by galukal
I really wanted to divide that question... and we did have the time for it... oh, well.
For new members, when you say "Motion to divide the question", and the motion is passed, the bill or resolution is split into multiple parts, dictated by the person making the motion, to be voted on individually. Theoretically, you could fail everything but the enactment clause and still neuter the bill because it would never take effect. Dividing the question is great for a good bill with some parts that are good and some that range from sad to abominable, like the final version of today's bill.

I agree with Bufang that the "individuality" argument is kind of ridiculous. Measurements aren't value-laden terms, they're mathematical symbols used to denote physical characteristics, and thus efficiency is more important than anything else like nostalgia. Although I think private businesses should be left alone (part of the reason I voted against this bill), our government should only use metric and metric should be demanded in government transactions with the private sector. Children should also be only taught metric in schools and not confused by learning imperial as well, so kudos to the people, especially the new members, who brought that up.

More statistics, please. I managed to get all of mine from a USMA page which contained relevant financial information, which was one of the main things we were debating.

Re: Metric System

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:57 pm
by bliang
I don't necessarily think that private businesses should be allowed to continue using whatever system they please, in the case that there is any possibility of the business interacting with others regarding these measurement systems.

If we had been using metric from the start, none of this would ever have happened. So if we just completely switch over, that just permanently solves the problem, whereas "half-converting" still creates the possibility for more confusion, even if we're talking about private businesses (although I have no idea how private businesses work, so in the case that I am horribly wrong, so be it).

Re: Metric System

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 2:04 pm
by galukal
The thing about private businesses is that more than one company sells similar products. If you want to deal in metric, there will be companies who match it. You're not required to deal with those using imperial, and if you choose to do so and your business suffers, too bad for you. A total government conversion and the phasing out of imperial in schools should shift the market focus to metric without focusing on the rights of private businesses and potentially harming businesses too small or cash-strapped to finance the mandatory conversion.