[extropy-chat] FWD [fantasticreality] Nice Summary of Problems of the self-denoted "Cultural Elites"

[Samantha Atkins]

BillK wrote:
> On 7/23/06, Samantha Atkins wrote:
>   
>> As transhuman technologies promise large competitive improvements  and
>> even radical enhancements beyond current human norms I don't see how we
>> as transhumanism can deplore the splitting off of subgroups with rather
>> different capabilities and increasing divergent interests.   After all,
>> not everyone will choose to or be capable of availing themselves of such
>> possibilities at once.   I think the 'trick' to what made or makes the
>> US (for instance) great is that we agree to and uphold inalienable
>> rights for all human beings.   It is not egalitarianism as some
>> overarching ideal that binds us but equality of fundamental rights that
>> binds how we treat and may treat one another.  This equality of rights
>> does not require any rough equality of abilities, wealth, intelligence,
>> knowledge or interests.   This  is the cornerstone of freedom and
>> peaceful co-existence.
>>     
>
> Ah, you are probably referring to this recent Act of Congress -
>
>   

Are you implying that I am in any way advocating any such thing or is
this coming from some humorous place subject to misinterpretation?  Are
you aware this so-called act is an urban legend?  I assure you I only
advocate "negative" rights.


- s

>
> AMERICANS WITH NO ABILITIES ACT - CONGRESSIONAL ACT 2006
>
> WASHINGTON , DC (AP) - Congress is considering sweeping legislation,
> which provides new benefits for many Americans. The Americans With No
> Abilities Act (AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislation by
> advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or
> ambition.
>
> "Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the competence and
> drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in
> society," said Barbara Boxer. "We can no longer stand by and allow
> People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this
> legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors
> to a small group of workers, simply because they do a better job, or
> have some idea of what they are doing."
>
> The President pointed to the success of the US Postal Service, which
> has a long-standing policy of providing opportunity without regard to
> performance. Approximately 74 percent of postal employees lack job
> skills, making this agency the single largest US employer of Persons
> of Inability.
>
> Private sector industries with good records of nondiscrimination
> against the Inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry
> (68%), and home improvement "warehouse" stores (65%) The DMV also has
> a great record of hiring Persons of Inability. (63%)
>
> Under the Americans With No Abilities Act, more than 25 million
> "middle man" positions will be created, with important-sounding titles
> but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of
> purpose and performance.
>
> Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given,
> to guarantee upward mobility for even the most unremarkable employees.
> The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations which
> maintain a significant level of Persons of Inability in middle
> positions, and gives a tax credit to small and medium businesses that
> agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires.
>
> Finally, the AWNA ACT contains tough new measures to make it more
> difficult to discriminate against the Nonabled, banning discriminatory
> interview questions such as "Do you have any goals for the future?" or
> "Do you have any skills or experience which relate to this job?"
>
> "As a Nonabled person, I can't be expected to keep up with people who
> have something going for them," said Mary Lou Gertz, who lost her
> position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint, MI due to her
> lack of notable job skills. "This new law should really help people
> like me." With the passage of this bill, Gertz and millions of other
> untalented citizens can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
>
> Said Senator Ted Kennedy, "It is our duty as lawmakers to provide each
> and every American citizen, regardless of his or her adequacy, with
> some sort of space to take up in this great nation and also find a
> place for all illegal aliens no matter how useless they may be."
>
>
> BillK  :)
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