Blog Title

Could we please rename the blog 'Phillips Exeter Academy Republican Club"? Not everyone is an anarchist or libertarian on the site, notably the very man who runs it (Jimmy, your stance on women shows you are, at least to some degree, conservative.) It misrepresents us. I also want to bring up the fact that being Republican gives our discussions purpose and makes for good clash with the liberals.

Also, could we change the sub-quote to something a little more professional. How about "America is too great for small dreams" - Reagan or "When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." - Jefferson

Some Reading

An article which has been flying around the asian communities:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html

and a lecture given to plebes at West Point:
http://www.theamericanscholar.org/solitude-and-leadership/

plus, from the same lecturer above, why Yale sucks:
http://www.theamericanscholar.org/the-disadvantages-of-an-elite-education/

Utilitarianism in the Long Run

Yesterday, when Rohan tried to use utilitarianism in an argument, he was promptly shut down by Dr. Tisdall. While I see where Dr. Tisdall was coming from, I think we must acknowledge how utilitarianism is interpreted differently between Republicans and Democrats. Over break, I read Justice, a book by Michael Sandel that outlines several philosophies towards society and government. In his chapter on utilitarianism, he outlines the absolutely different ways utilitarianism can be followed in the short run and the long run.

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Since utilitarianism works to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people, in the short-term, the idea is very liberal. The idea is that $1,000 brings a lot more happiness to a poor man than it takes away from an extremely rich man, so it should be transferred to the poor man. This idea can be continued all the way until the richest man is worth $50,001 and the poorest man is worth $49,999. Since the poorer man will still receive slightly more happiness from the dollar, it should be transferred to him according to utilitarianism. This process thus leads us on a rapid path towards Communism.

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However, as Dr. Tisdall was alluding to, utilitarianism is very libertarian in the long-term. The idea here is that thirty years from now, regulation and the dilution of incentives hamper economic growth. By freeing the economy and taxpayers, we can become more efficient and productive as a society, increasing economic growth. The rule of 72 illustrates this effect. Therefore, thirty years from now we will be able to witness far higher standards of living for most everyone. As this does the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the long-term, this is truly utilitarian. This process thus leads ua on a rapid path towards pure Capitalism.

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The topic of utilitarianism is interesting because it shows a fundamental difference between Democrats and Republicans: the short-term vs. long-term. In so many of today’s issues, timing separates the parties. In war, the economy, and society, Republicans are concerned with America’s future. However, in all of these topics, Democrats have been concerned with America in the present. Personally, I favor the long-term, and that plays a large basis in my leaning right. I want an America that is long-lasting and gradual, not one of short bursts. Even if I’m dead, I want my grandchildren to be able to live in a world where the USA rules and democracy roams free.

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So Democrats like Rohan are wrong in trying to prove a point with utilitarianism. They really should go right ahead and admit they are prioritizing the short-term. This isn’t about some radical social philosophy. No, it’s about Democrats surrendering tomorrow for progress today.

Response to Tisdall's "Money is Overrated"

I think, instead, that we should say "purchasing power" is overrated. Things are overrated.

But money, money is different. If you have one million dollars in even a 3 or 4 percent return investment (or, long ago, a bank with a non-zero interest rate), that gives you $30k +, or the equivalent of a single blue-collar/ min. wage worker.

If you get a bit better, let's say 6%, you never have to work. $60,000 a year, for simply letting others use your money? That's like having two personal workers produce for you, without needing any sustenance, only direction.

All of this can quickly go to hell. Fast. But we should not underestimate what money can do. If anything, money is underrated.

How to Work with Republicans

In the New York Times, from a Harvard Economist no less:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/02/business/02view.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

And it's a bit funny that libs actually need to be told this, what, with them being bipartisan and all

Common App Short Answer

Every Thursday night a motley crew congregates in the Elm Street Mezzanine under the generally forsaken banner of “Exeter Republican Club.” Despite the palpably disapproving responses I always get from faculty and friends who learn I am a co-head, I would not trade these weekly two-hour meetings for a straight-11 GPA. Our club has a wide draw – we have our southern gentleman, our “midwestern prick”, our east-coast communists, and our mentor, Philip Tisdall, the club’s libertarian nucleus. Philip is a pathologist, and his patients die if he misdiagnoses them. These stakes have led him to a Zen-like state of egolessness which depends on conflict; his friends are those who disagree with him. It is this mentality that unites our club and gives us our one rule: Don’t be offended. Most of us grow up believing what our family believes, uncritically adopt this default position, and then work backwards to justify it. But we seek truth, not approval. Also, we think the Democrats and their rancid ideology must be ground to dust at all costs.

A Moment of Philosophy

Who could expect that a column on why iPads make poor Christmas gifts would offer this profound observation on life:
"The scarcest resource in life isn't money, land, fresh water or gold. For singles under 25, the scarcest resource is sex, and for the rest of us it's time. And the biggest waste of time I've ever discovered—after (computer) games —is the Web. Nothing comes close. It's a total black hole. Do I want to carry a device that lets me surf the Web endlessly wherever I am? That's easy. It's amazing how much time I have to read now that I never look at Facebook."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704259704576033941846942596.html?mod=WSJ_hps_RIGHTTopCarousel_1