Comments on: Seijigiri #46: Diet Session Ends, Fukuda’s Future, and the Future of Immigration http://www.transpacificradio.com/2008/06/25/seijigiri-46-diet-session-ends-fukudas-future-and-the-future-of-immigration/ Independent Podcasting from Tokyo. Featuring Seijigiri, a discussion of Japanese news and politics, as well as TPR News, our twice a week look at Japan's top stories. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:38:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: cal hobbs http://www.transpacificradio.com/2008/06/25/seijigiri-46-diet-session-ends-fukudas-future-and-the-future-of-immigration/#comment-1124570 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:52:36 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2008/06/25/seijigiri-46-diet-session-ends-fukudas-future-and-the-future-of-immigration/#comment-1124570 Why would the number of bills passed or the pass rate be any meaningful measure of the effectiveness of a legislature? It reminds me of the adage, 'If your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.' I have long been amazed by this. In the US the Congress and 50 statehouses churn out new legislation every year - literally thousands of new laws. But how many have a direct impact on individuals? Hell, do anyone know what all these new laws do? Maybe they don't do anything other than give these an elected officials to exist. And if they are sitting their pressing buttons to vote on legislation they can't be elsewhere causing real damage by driving drunk or taking payoffs or harassing young women (or men.) Seems like an expensive way to keep a bunch of people occupied. Why would the number of bills passed or the pass rate be any meaningful measure of the effectiveness of a legislature?

It reminds me of the adage, ‘If your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.’

I have long been amazed by this. In the US the Congress and 50 statehouses churn out new legislation every year - literally thousands of new laws. But how many have a direct impact on individuals? Hell, do anyone know what all these new laws do? Maybe they don’t do anything other than give these an elected officials to exist. And if they are sitting their pressing buttons to vote on legislation they can’t be elsewhere causing real damage by driving drunk or taking payoffs or harassing young women (or men.) Seems like an expensive way to keep a bunch of people occupied.

]]> by: Ken Worsley http://www.transpacificradio.com/2008/06/25/seijigiri-46-diet-session-ends-fukudas-future-and-the-future-of-immigration/#comment-1071897 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:51:03 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2008/06/25/seijigiri-46-diet-session-ends-fukudas-future-and-the-future-of-immigration/#comment-1071897 Younghusband, thanks. The gas issue was prepped but we decided we'd get into it if we had time. As usually happens, we went on and on about the immigration issue. I think we definitely have to get into the gas field issue in the next show. Younghusband, thanks. The gas issue was prepped but we decided we’d get into it if we had time. As usually happens, we went on and on about the immigration issue. I think we definitely have to get into the gas field issue in the next show.

]]> by: Younghusband http://www.transpacificradio.com/2008/06/25/seijigiri-46-diet-session-ends-fukudas-future-and-the-future-of-immigration/#comment-1071877 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:32:19 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2008/06/25/seijigiri-46-diet-session-ends-fukudas-future-and-the-future-of-immigration/#comment-1071877 Good show but I was hoping to hear your thoughts on the gas fields "deal"... Good show but I was hoping to hear your thoughts on the gas fields “deal”…

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