tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8447427.post-1132763784878391422005-11-23T09:36:00.000-07:002005-11-23T09:36:00.000-07:00Mike, I think in a Utopian Society, this would be a great idea. Of course, the society we live in is far from being a Utopia. The Pandora's Box was cracked long ago and it is being pried open more and more with each generation. Maybe Adam should have x-rayed that apple before biting into it.<BR/><BR/>I have a 10 year old myself. It scares me that one day he may make a stupid decision and get involved in risky behavior resulting in him fathering a child to early, or getting an STD or worse, AIDS. But I also have to realize that part of the solution belongs to parents. Government endorsed programs to promote abstainence are marginally effective at best, and often (for religious reasons) discard any sort of education regarding contraceptives. I find that highly dangerous, given the fact that in our oversexualized media-driven society, along with peer pressure pushes young people to make these bad decisions. We have to be realistic, that despite our best efforts and intentions, this behavior will continue to occur... and thus, we must make sure that teens know the risks and how to protect themselves. It always comes back to parenting, in my opinion. Don't rely on the government to raise your child or blame the media on your child's self-destructive behaviors. Be the parent.<BR/><BR/>Here's my critique on your proposal. <BR/><BR/>1,2..yes that much is obvious.<BR/><BR/>3.. If you include your solution to include oral sex, this would also be plausable. However, a good majority of teens view oral as non-sexual... and believe that they can maintain their virginity and still give/recieve that sort of gratification.<BR/><BR/>4. Doubtful. The urge for depravity is deep seated in mankind. Again, the apple is bitten, the box is open. It won't be shut. Even if outlawed, this industry would still exist as long as testosterone runs through our bodies. It appeals to man's primal instinct.<BR/><BR/>5. Again. I disagree. Rape isn't always about lust. More often than not it's about power. There is no evidence showing that pornography in general leads to increased incidents of rape. Rape will always exist in society despite media input.<BR/><BR/>6. If three were plausable, this would be a rational assumption.<BR/><BR/>7. Doubtful. The majority of Insurance companies do not cover abortion proceedures... STD's maybe, but abortions,no. And no matter what you may think, health care costs will not decrease in this country as long as the government takes no steps to somehow regulate the industry. I agree that decreasing frivolous lawsuits would be a great step towards moderating insurance costs, but the overall climate of the industry is one of greed. Congress is quick to jump all over the oil companies about gouging, but if they ever took a long look at the insurance and health care industries, what they would find would be appaling to the American public. I think of it as the Cartel Syndrome. Unregulated, they have been able to consolidate down to maybe five or so major providers. This eliminates competetiveness and gives them incintive to continually raise costs.<BR/><BR/>8. I would think that the poor population's economic problems weren't primarily associated with unwanted pregnancy and diseases... but more with lack of education, lack of income, lack of work, lack of opportunity, ect.<BR/><BR/>9. Bill Bennett would agree with you on this one.<BR/><BR/>I think it's a good idea... in a utopian world... but would not work in this one.Drewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11677074730774734017noreply@blogger.com