let's all (especially me, i know) try to keep the arguing to a minimum for a second and describe what we would like the world to be like if it were up to us. i think i'd be interesting to see what we all want our views to add up to.

the majority of people live in some kind of mix of town houses and dormatories. there's a definite sense of one's own space, but with common hallways and exteriors which aid in building a sense of community. the top producers own their own houses, and their own land. most people live close enough to their place of employment that they can bike or walk. people in rural areas or other similar situations tend to rely on electric cars, mostly powered by the mass proliferation of incorporation of photovoltaic panels into virtually every roof.

there is more of an emphasis on meritocracy-style rewards in society, and a nearly religious fervor for transparency in government. the majority of high-level elected positions pay obscenely high amounts of money, attracting the most talented individuals to the positions.  copyright laws have been revamped and estate taxes have been re-enacted, virtually guaranteeing the impossibility of leaving piles of cash behind for spoiled, terrible kids.

people who are unwilling or unable to work are guaranteed several things-- a heated 6'x6' room containing a toilet, sink, and a faucet that releases gruel or water.  if you don't work, you basically get to live like a hamster.

the government is parlimentary, but only handles infrasctructure and defense as a matter of daily work. for special projects such as rural electrification, creation of a highway system, etc. it's necessary to create a temporary body to solve the issue, and the committee designated has a set and irreversible experiation date.

drug and prostitution laws go out the window, to be replaced with state-level quality control organizations for both.

everyone who is involved with the creation, production, distribution, and especially those who enjoy two and a half men are put to death. i'll miss you, mom and dad. :(

Here's mine, more or less: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_darwinism

OK, I'll play:

 We're on some kind of safe, clean and limitless energy.  Enough that we can synthesize/recycle industrial raw materials without raping the environment for everything.

 The developing world has finally caught up.   People have jobs, aren't killing the last gorillas for bushmeat or burning the last good forest for charcoal.  the young kids can get vaccinated and the old dudes can have viagra just like in the first world.

 Travel is cheap. Jimbob and Suzieloo gets to go to Paris or Morocco or India.  People are curious about the world.  No more anti-intellectual bullshit.

No more affirmative action because we don't need it- nobody is racist anymore and everyone has access to a real education.

People feel connected to their society, and have a sense of self-purpose.  People take pride in their work and themselves.  People work hard, but EVERYONE who works make a living wage, and earns enough liesure time to take advantage of travel/chances to be creative/be with family and friends, etc.  Universal Health Care.  Everyone gets to retire too.  Good teachers get paid a lot. 

 Corporations are concerned with money AND quality of life for their employees, suppliers, customers, and society. Shareholder profits are only part of the bottom line. 

The government is mainly an arbitrator for conflicts of interest, mainly facilitating economic development while preserving resources/environment/culture.  National defense is still important but less so- with less of a gap between the haves and have-nots, our foreign policy isn't pissing as many countries off and they have less reason to hate s.  More resources are available for big public works (mass transit, environmental restoration, fixing urban areas, distasters).  Politicians aren't douchebags, and elections aren't cirucuses.

People have almost infinite freedoms to do what they want to themselves (read what you want, shoot guns if you want, pray to whoever you want), and there is a reasonable sniff test for cases when actions affects others.  When science needs to be involved, good science is involved.

In all seriousness, though I'd never dream of forcing everyone to live in my fantasy world, because a lot of the things I imagine would require a massive change in thinking, which would take years or reprogramming to accept.

There will be no more landfills or cemeteries. Organic and non-organic refuse would be used as a fuel source.

Reforestation. (The return to nature scenarios always pleased me. But I think it would take nuclear war to accomplish this.)

Small population. Like, a fraction of the mess that's on the globe now. Death as part of the natural life cycle will be embraced, so extraordinary means of keeping people the elderly alive will fall out of use. The right to death will be encouraged.

No marriage, because it's a welfare state institution that violates individual rights, redistributing wealth and forcing a contractual arrangement.

Even smaller government. Almost non-existent. There'd be so little bureaucracy to attack, the press could be quite small, too. Taxes would pay for the maintenance of travel routes only. Regional chiefs (male) would be elected (by women.) Eligibility would be based on heredity or outstanding deeds and character. Chiefs would act as diplomats and appoint warriors, and stay in power until death. There'd be no need for police; courts of law would be perfunctory. Punishments for crime would be decided by group vote, not just by a few powerful people.

A spirituality guided by a world ethic (ie. "Do unto others," be thankful for what you have, etc.) would be enough to guide people.

People would be encouraged to take care of themselves and their property. Indeed- the responsible bearing of arms will be encouraged. The wide-ranging acceptance that there is zero arms restrictions will make people think twice before victimizing anyone else.

I do think the American Indians had the right idea. No excess: Exploit nature for survival. Violence is acceptable in certain conditions; no full-scale war. Having multiple partners that aren't bound to you for life is the norm. Slavery (non-racial) is justified, as long as the slaves are treated as family members and truly want to be there. The Constitution was based on the Iroquois Confederacy's law, but a joining a confederacy would be voluntary. Some communities might join together for self-defense, if necessary, but could be mostly self-sufficient, making and trading goods and resources peacefully.

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

I read a sad story today about how the homeless mentally ill use  public libraries as shelters, and the problems it causes.

Maybe reinstating slavery would give the homeless something to do, while providing them food and shelter.

you say that ironically but i don't see it as a bad thing. i mean, even if we're paying them to dig a hole and then fill it back up, at least it's giving them shelter and food in exchange for some kind of good faith effort. i mean, as long as it's voluntary, of course

i'm going to grad school for library science and there was a whole week on what our responsability is as for as the homeless using libraries like that. bottom line: unless they stink or are causing a ruckus, let them be.  
 

wife/husband?

The biggest problem around here is people jerking off in the libraries- there's a big debate in San Jose about whether to put porn filters on the computers...

[edit- that's cool about your degree. 'Fud- when my grandfather died in his 50's my grandmother went back to school for a combo anthropology/library science degree, then went into the peace corps and went to latin america to help with the library system there]

http://www.usdoj.gov/osg/briefs/2002/3mer/2mer/2002-0361.mer.ja.vol.3.html

The pedophile stuff in this report is crazy, but I believe it. Who else is going to get their jollies where there are kids running around? Who else would take care not to download illegal things on their hard drive at home?

Yeesh.

Here's an idea. Fine anyone caught looking at pornography (not art) and use that money to help the local homeless.