Politics & Campaign Finance Reforms

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Micah Sifry and Nancy Watzman in the L.A. Times (op-ed page): After All, it’s a Multiparty System. A sample:

In a pay-to-play political system, Americans’ votes don’t matter nearly as much as cold, hard cash. That’s why we need comprehensive campaign finance reform, including full public financing, to actually change the rules of the game. Under such “clean elections” systems, which are already the law in Arizona and Maine, candidates who collect a large number of small contributions and agree to abide by spending limits receive a public grant to run their campaigns. In that way, public officials are freed from their direct dependence on private donors.
If somebody is going to own the politicians, it might as well be us.

via doc searls The need for reform is clear, after reading articles like this.

Strategic Biking: Tour de France

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Stephanie Tuel writes:

The 18th stage was an excellent example of game theory at work. Lance Armstrong and the peloton were a few minutes back of a breakaway group of 6 riders (none of whom were a threat to the top of the overall standings since all were over 1 hour behind). Reading the various news reports and between the lines it appears that Armstrong’s team, US Postal, was doing all the work at the front of the peloton and the team of the closest competitors, T-Mobile, were loafing. (The crucial strategic variable in bicycling appears to be the effect of wind resistance, especially on the flat and on downhills–whoever is at the front has to work harder, and whoever is following can choose to conserve energy or share the effort.)

Shrimp Bandages

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It was a couple of years ago, at least, that we first heard about bandages being developed out of chitosan and now it seems they’ve been put into service in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Chitosan, derived from shrimp shells, carries a positive charge and bonds with a wound’s red blood cells (which are negatively charged) to form a clot in as short as 30 seconds. Made exclusively by HemCon, the bandages use shrimp shells from Iceland, are processed and freeze-dried in New Hampshire, assembled and packaged in Oregon, and sterilized in California. No word on when shrimp bandages will be available to consumers.

Via Gizmodo.

Money, Politics & State Priorities

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The Capital Times rightly takes Democratic Governor Jim Doyle to task for raising money at a faster rate than former Governor Tommy Thompson (himself a record cash machine).

During his first 18 months in office, Doyle raised $2.4 million. That means that Doyle is collecting checks at a more rapid rate than did former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who until now had been recognized as the state’s most aggressive campaign fund-raiser.
“When you’re significantly out-raising Tommy Thompson, that’s saying something,” argues Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.
What it says, however, is not encouraging for campaign finance reform or good government in Wisconsin. Just like Thompson, Doyle has been raising large sums of money from individuals he has appointed to key positions in state government and from individuals and groups seeking favorable treatment from the state.

Wisconsin needs real economic and political leadership. Taking money from the entrenched interests does nothing to help our economic future. In fact, it often gets in the way.

Unusual Newspaper Funding Disclosure

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Jason Stein’s article on Brazil’s growing soybean export business (and the financial implications for Wisconsin Soybean farmers; Brazil’s costs are lower and they are clearing forests to grow beans) follows a number of articles in other publications on Brazil’s agricultural prowess, including The Star Tribune and the NY Times. Stein’s article is certainly useful and informative (I’m glad they are covering these issues!), however, the article includes a disclaimer that:

Reporting in Brazil was made possible through a grant from the Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies Department at UW-Madison.

I find this amazing. Capital Newspapers is a $112M+ (2003 revenues) very profitable business. I can’t think of one good reason why University funds (direct or indirect) should subsidize this private enterprise. A trip to Brazil, including lodging, food and transportation planned somewhat in advance should cost no more than $3 to $5K. I’d rather see them fund some students, we’d likely get a more for our money.