Pete Ashdown Chat - July 15th, 2005

IRC log started Thu Jul 21 19:59:46 2005 -:- gthornock [~garyt@158.91.203.11] has joined #pashdown pashdown Hello Gary -:- evan [edone@done.xmission.com] has joined #pashdown -:- Web085 [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown -:- Topic (#pashdown): changed by pashdown: Chat is on. Welcome everyone. -:- SignOff Web085: #pashdown (Remote host closed the connection) -:- Franci [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown pashdown Hello Franci -:- SignOff gthornock: #pashdown (Ping timeout: 198 seconds) [Franci(www-data@pashdown.org)] ? -:- alphonse [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown [msg(Franci)] go ahead pashdown Moderation is not in effect right now unless we get a flood of people. -:- bitsko [~ken@dsl.76.41.networkiowa.com] has joined #pashdown -:- EricB [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown -:- gthornock [~garyt@158.91.203.11] has joined #pashdown pashdown Franci asked me a question privately, "Hi. First respect for what you are doing. How you want to promote your name in the state along with your comapny's name, which has a lot of recognition?" Franci Didn't mean privatly, just don't really know what i'm doing pashdown My response is that the only way I can do that is continue to get my accomplishments mentioned in media articles. pashdown No problem Franci. pashdown Since I started this, I have been surprised that my name is not readily connected with XMission. pashdown I'd probably say that 1 in 10 people I talk to who know XMission know that I started and continue to operate it. Franci Maybe now is a good time to associate your name with XMission EricB I tried on the radio show :-( pashdown It is a bit sticky because of FEC rules. There was a time where we did a campaign that did associate my name, but that was probably 7 years ago. EricB Unfortunately only geeks know who you are pashdown "For Pete's sake, get on with it." EricB I liked that postcard, it was memorable and very "Happy" Franci The reason I've said that is in Utah culture bussinesses started like your have a great impact on people, becuase it supports greatly the ideology of the state: making it on your own from the scratch, working for yourself, building upon it, and such -:- SignOff alphonse: #pashdown (Remote host closed the connection) -:- SignOff gthornock: #pashdown (Ping timeout: 198 seconds) pashdown I agree Franci. Utah has always had a pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit. -:- alphonse [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown EricB ? pashdown Go ahead Eric. EricB Any thoughts on the Utah education system? Such as teacher pay and teacher/student ratios? -:- bcs [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown pashdown As I understand it, education is the biggest slice of the budget in Utah. Yet it still doesn't seem to cover everything. -:- Web269 [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown EricB So how do you think it could be improved? -:- SignOff Web269: #pashdown (Remote host closed the connection) -:- Web855 [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown pashdown At the public school my daughter attended, parental involvement was required as it was an alternative program. pashdown I think that helps, but too much can also hinder. pashdown On a Federal level, I think the Department of Education should get out of micromanaging everyone and shift to dispersing money and promoting working programs. -:- SignOff Web855: #pashdown (Remote host closed the connection) EricB I think the biggest complaint I've heard from teachers is that to teach in Utah, you have to be willing to live near the poverty line pashdown I would like to see more money come from the Feds for education. -:- gthornock [~garyt@158.91.203.11] has joined #pashdown -:- Web085 [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown Franci How do you plan to approach the possible republican convention considering that Hatch will have somebody running against him? Do you think it would help you? pashdown The fact that Urquhart was willing to challenge Hatch in a primary was a very gutsy move. He had to give up his seat in order to do so. Franci right pashdown I think it represents growing discontentment in the GOP with Hatch. Franci Maybe this shows that our state is changing, remembering the last year republican convention EricB ? pashdown Overall, I think it is a very positive result for this campaign. I talked with a few people associated with the campaign, including Urquhart, before he declared. So I believe that many GOP believe Hatch has a viable challenger for the first time. pashdown Go ahead Eric. EricB How do you think the Republican party is changing? more "right" or towards the middle pashdown I think its splitting with one portion going right and the other portion backing away. alphonse ? Franci Last year we had few rep. candidates for the governor position. the current governor is not right as far as the other former candidates. bcs In your opinion should gov't be able to enforce eminent domain on its citizens to benefit private business in an effort to bring economic prosperity to a struggling community? pashdown I've been surprised at some of the anti-Bush sentiment expressed on AM stations. pashdown alphonse, I'll answer you after bcs -:- SignOff alphonse: #pashdown (Quit: CGI:IRC) -:- alphonse [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown pashdown bcs, I'm am appalled at the Supreme Court ruling and am positively against it. I think the government should have a very, very, very good reason for eminent domain, and I have a hard time seeing any reason for that, let alone economic development. pashdown I have fought against some of the poorer uses of the RDA in Salt Lake City for a long time. pashdown Go ahead alphonse alphonse Have you thought any about secondary goals you might set for yourself in this campaign? I think it's great that you're running, but there is a great need in many states, including Utah, for other activities like party-building. alphonse I think your candidacy is very well-positioned to expand the democratic base in Utah pashdown Win, lose, or draw, I hope that more Internet/Tech people will jump into politics. I want to see more "geeks" in government because I think they lend a critical perspective towards a big part of our economy. pashdown Witness Linux taking off in governments around the world and very little happening in the USA. EricB <-- Trying not to Micro$oft bash pashdown I believe that is because the majority of tech knowledge fed to our representatives comes from corporations with interests. alphonse That is likely part of it. pashdown As far as expanding the base in Utah. I think its good to see someone like me standing up and presenting an alternative view of a Democrat. alphonse Another part is, politicians' primary concern is getting votes. Most aren't interested in keeping up with technology, and thus don't know how to frame the issue to the voters. pashdown True, but I don't view my expertise on tech as the big motivator for swing voters in Utah. I think the fact that I'm a native Utahn who has run a business for over a decade here is. EricB That is evidenced by Hatch wanting to "blow up" peoples computers alphonse That's an appealing biography. And it's a good prerequisite for running for the senate, but you're not going to get elected on it. I think you already recognize that you need to feed into the voters' discontent with Hatch, and present yourself as an appealing alternative. pashdown Probably not, but I believe my positions on healthcare, energy, education, and the economy are big differentiators and are not typical party lines. bcs ? pashdown go ahead bcs bcs can you give me an idea of your position on emigration reform? pashdown Right now we have a system which doesn't work and doesn't identify any guest workers as such. pashdown If the Senate had put as much effort into an RFID based green-card instead of a national citizen ID-card, it would have been a step in the right direction. pashdown I think immigration needs to be monitored and controlled, rather than ignored. There is a valid need for guest-workers in our economy, we should control their access and legalize their employment. pashdown However, I believe efforts such as H-1B are not good for Americans. alphonse ? jackie ? Franci ? pashdown Go ahead Jackie. jackie thank you jackie how do you feel about federal tax incentives to stimulate green development in utah? pashdown I think conservation and green expansion are useful steps toward energy independence and a cleaner environment. They are a small part of energy independence. I think that energy independence should be the main focus of this country for the next ten years. pashdown I think this project will most likely culminate in a workable hot fusion plant(s). EricB what do you think about the IETG fusion reactor being located off of American soil? pashdown Conservation is an important part, but if it doesn't make economic sense, it is not going to make a big impact. What we really need is cheap and clean energy and a lot of it. pashdown Eric, I'm dismayed that America is not leading on that and the French are. pashdown Go ahead alphonse. alphonse I was just wondering if you had anything to say about your approach to fundraising in this campaign. pashdown The online contribution section has only been up a month, so I'm way behind where I should be at this stage. Only one person sent in a donation via check before. I have been making calls to the regular "big" Democratic donors, but ironically, the largest contributions I've receive so far have been from Republicans. pashdown There has been a fairly steady stream of contributions since the online section went up. I have a goal I want to reach by the next filing date in October. pashdown Much of what needs to happen is for national support to recognize this campaign in the same way the Presidential primaries were recognized in 2004. pashdown One day of what Dean or Kerry pulled in would be sufficient for me. pashdown go ahead Franci Franci Hatch ran as a freshmen poltician baaaack in the day. Did you consider this approach, as running as a freshmen in the bigger poltical arena? alphonse There's a lot that can be done with databasing nowadays; FEC filings are accessible online for free, and anyone with the time and patience can put together a good database of people who have donated to political organizations in the past. If you're not already doing that, I would highly suggest it. pashdown alphonse it is pashdown Franci, I'm not sure I understand the question as I think that is what I am already. EricB ? pashdown Franci do you want to clarify? Franci I mean sort of hammering on the fact that Hatch ran on that premise. And it's still in office for aprox. 30 years. Focusing on the "time to change" things. pashdown Yes, I think both my campaign and Urquharts have realized that irony. I want to be respectful of him though. Franci My ?s I know are sort of campaign related, because I trully want you to succed. pashdown no problem pashdown go ahead Eric EricB Have you tried to contact other Demo's in office nationally to see if they can help out your campaign, aka Hillary Clinton. or even Org's like the EFF? EricB or is there too much stigma surrounding them? pashdown Not really. I met Harry Reid at a dinner here and I've met Howard Dean twice since starting. I really don't presume that the nationals will put any attention towards this race unless I poll within striking distance. I think there is also a lot of stigma associated with the nationals for some of the rhetoric that has been spewed. EricB such as the whole fillabuster fiasco? pashdown I have talked to the EFF twice, and although they are supportive, they can not endorse candidates as that would make them a PAC. EricB Poo! pashdown There have been some really divisive things said, which I won't repeat. pashdown EFF referred me to ipaction.org, and I have yet to receive a response from the eight or so people running that show. EricB ok done :-) pashdown Please help by submitting news stories about this race to national sites and blogs. EricB are there any groups we can lobby on to support you? EricB darn that was ill timed pashdown Any of them that are willing. If you have any good ideas on groups to call for endorsements, drop me an email. pashdown As far as I know, ipaction.org is the only PAC with digital rights on its mind. EricB any specifically that you'd like us to send gentle emails to? :-) -:- Web620 [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown pashdown Slashdot has rejected three different submissions on this race, including one from me. However, the Jedi in parliament was an easy green-light. EricB Funny, I guess they need proof of what you can do, and that you can effect change pashdown Chicken and the egg I guess. EricB maybe some really public gestures/donations/heroism perhaps? pashdown there is something that xmission is working on which will make very big news soon pashdown so I am hoping there is some association with that EricB Is it a simple sponsorship or something bigger? pashdown sponsorship of something big :-) bcs you sneaky devil- I like it! EricB maybe you need to call a press conference about it EricB by really upfront instead of being behind the scenes as XM's owner pashdown there will be a press conference on it pashdown and a lot of other attention EricB great -:- SignOff Franci: #pashdown (Remote host closed the connection) pashdown Any other questions? Web620 ? EricB ? pashdown Go ahead Web620 Web620 I would like to know more about how you would propose to fix the healthcare situation in America Web620 I know it is a complicated topic but aside from energy prices I think it is one of the most important economic and social issues we face. pashdown My business currently spends $16K a month on health insurance for our employees. That is 100% of their premiums. I pay half the premiums on spouses and 25% on children. pashdown Over the course of a decade, I have spent over a million dollars on healthcare for 20-somethings and 30-somethings. pashdown My health insurance refuses to detail the benefits received, but I would speculate that it has been much lower than $1M. pashdown In the same sense that Bush is promoting "health savings accounts", I promote the same for business with similar tax shields. EricB That's because of lovely HIPPA Web620 I have heard some people talk about a sort of Credit Unio approach to health care where the policy owners own the company. Have you heard of this? pashdown I have talked to other businesses that due to the health insurance situation have brought all healthcare costs in-house. pashdown Web620, that is an excellent idea, and is where I'm going with this. pashdown I talked to one business owner who brought up the point that for $16K a month, I could hire an on-staff doctor. EricB don't a lot of people have access to cafeteria plans in their benefits? how's that different than the savings plans pashdown The savings plans are independent of a business. I suspect its an effort to move health insurance away from businesses. EricB would these plans be cumulative vs. a "use it or lose it" stance? pashdown I have pointed this out before, that if you consider the cost of healthcare as a tax, like other developed countries do, Americans are the most taxed citizens in the world. Web620 One problem with savings accounts is that if you pay for healthcare on your own you pay a much higher rate than insurance companies do. EricB I have a friend in england and the # of immigrants is bringing their health care system to it's knees, the wealthier are now on private insurance. pashdown I would say cumulative Eric. Web620, I think there are efficiencies that need to be realized in healthcare too. pashdown Government action could also dictate that the "credit-union" style of healthcare could receive the same rates. pashdown Eric, Japan has a two-tier system too. Ignoring the uninsured is our problem, because they still get sick, and we still all end up paying for it. Its just much more costly that way. Web620 I also believe that our government funded healthcare (medicare and medicaide) are grosely abused and inefficient. pashdown The government approach to the uninsured and illegal guest-workers is very much the same, ignorance. EricB what about a national healthcare database for all providers and the gov't? Web620 Perhaps the government should start a private health care union like a credit union that is self governing. pashdown Web620 agreed, as are many government entities. I think legislators should have the courage to start many programs off with a new slate and let the old ones crumble under their own weight. pashdown Eric, that is an efficiency that I would promote. Provided it held privacy assurances. Web620 Pete, would you be interested in seaking at Westminster? That is something I may be able to arrange. pashdown Web620, a good possibility. EricB so what's to stop private companies from suing to stop gov't from competing? does UTOPIA sound familiar? privates sued to keep the quasi public entity down -:- bdh [~bhauth@67-42-126-216.slkc.qwest.net] has joined #pashdown pashdown I'd be interested in speaking just about anywhere. ;-) bdh i guess i missed it :P<bdh> oh! pashdown No, we're still going bdh. bdh so strange to see someone bdh i'll be able to vote for on boingboing -:- Web969 [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown pashdown EricB legislators with guts I guess. pashdown BTW, we're hooking up UTOPIA customers. pashdown Last I heard we have 4 in test. EricB SEXY! jackie :D Web620 A health care union would not be government but a private not for profit that is self governing pashdown Web620, I think that is an approach that many businesses would applaud. -:- SignOff Web969: #pashdown (Client Quit) -:- SignOff Web620: #pashdown (Remote host closed the connection) -:- Web650 [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown bdh business can drive health care reform. it is very expensive for employers. bdh yes! -:- forcewoviolence [www-data@pashdown.org] has joined #pashdown pashdown I think businesses are starting to drive this already. GM has been very vocal in their displeasure for the US healthcare insurance system. EricB I think this health care union "HCU" should be part of your platform pashdown What IS part of my platform is that some of the best ideas come FROM THE PEOPLE and that they're worth listening to. EricB You need to milk the "from the people" as much as you can, I think hatch is really out of touch kenny thats an understatement pashdown http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/ forcewoviolence A health care task force for the California legislature voted and recommended pashdown http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/workplace/100_news/120_news/healthcare101.html bdh and the drug companies! so much money spent on marketing! bdh we should increase federal drug research, and make drugs from federally funded research generic instantly. EricB or build a superhighway to canada :-) Web650 Anything run directly by the government tends to be inefficient and poorly run. forcewoviolence oops - California legislative committee passed on their recommendation to the California legislature to adopt a single payer health care system. It is coming. U.S. companies such as GM are forced to compete against companies from countries that have single payer systems. bdh that won't work in the long run. i see canada as more a way to expose the overpricing of drugs. if we import drugs cheaply from canada...companies would rather stop sending drugs to canada. EricB it was a joke bdh they already said they wouldn't sell to pharmacies in canada exporting to the us bdh (some said) EricB as long as you're in Canada is that still an export? bdh canada is going to require face to face meeting with doctors who prescribe to you bdh so.... bcs pete did you say when we can expect XM's big anouncement? pashdown Probably around the first week of August. EricB AH I know what it could be bcs eric don't ruin the ending for me- forcewoviolence ? EricB not going to say, I'm just speculating acording to billboards i've seen lately pashdown Not any billboards we've been running. bdh hooray for progress. bdh last i heard the federal government was trying to make free wifi supported by local gov't illegal bdh it would be so good to have someone technically competent in congress bdh pete - what do you think of software defined radio? EricB ? but ask forcewo.. first forcewoviolence ?Pete, what are your positions/thoughts on the social security 'crisis??' bdh ^answer his question, it's more important :P pashdown I think its like we're driving in a car with the administration and we're going to run out of gas in 40 miles so they want to replace the engine. EricB LOL pashdown After seeing what the stock market did in the late '90's, I'm not a big fan of depending on it. Look at some of my competition who did. EricB very similar to that Micro$oft car. bdh do you think the benefits need to be cut and the taxes raised? bdh i see it as a part of the deficit/debt problem EricB ya I got into the market with my 403b after it bottomed out :-) bdh i make 20% a year :) bdh past 10 yrs EricB <-- managed account here pashdown bdh, I think there needs to be regular adjustments for inflation and other adjustments on benefits and the wages cap. pashdown Social Security was setup in response to what happened with the stock market in the 20's. It doesn't make any sense to me to join the two. forcewoviolence have you seen the dvd put together by Dennis Kucinich on the subject? This is a manufactured crisis to get citizens to focus on SS instead of the real problems such as health care, education, the debt bdh yes but we understand economics better now at least :-/ pashdown I haven't seen the DVD. bdh well, the government doesn't EricB ? pashdown In response to software radios. Neat stuff. I'd imagine all radios will be that way in 5-10 years. bdh in theory at leasts bdh yes pashdown I'm a proponent for unchained spectrum too. bdh it will require spectrum rethinking pashdown EricB go ahead EricB What about broadband over powerlines? Do you view it as a monopoly similar to Qwest or do you think it'll help get this country wired with less expensive broadband by being another source of competition? bdh the problems with that are: crossign transformer substations and shortwave interference pashdown If it works and doesn't cause a lot of RFI, then why not? pashdown Thus the problems. :/ bdh the first can be done but costs money, the second, well, it may be worth it but will upset people pashdown I still believe that fiber is the end-all/be-all and it should be considered infrastructure by municipalities. EricB There are some big tests being done in Texas EricB I do too bdh thus UTOPIA bdh :) pashdown yes EricB but powerlines, like ph lines already touch almost every residence and business in existance, fiber has to be deployed EricB but fiber is far more "upgradeable" bdh "last mile" it was the hope of the 1990s bdh now people say cross it with high speed short range dsl bdh or wifi EricB or UWB forcewoviolence too technical for me. so long. Pete, I will get you a copy of the dvd on Social Security. Take care everyone. pashdown Good night. pashdown I think we should wrap this up. I've got to get driving south in the morning. Web650 thanks pete bdh thanks pete gthornock Thanks -:- forcewoviolence [www-data@pashdown.org] has left #pashdown [] EricB thanks Pete -:- SignOff gthornock: #pashdown (Quit: Leaving) -:- SignOff EricB: #pashdown (Quit: CGI:IRC) pashdown Thank you all. -:- SignOff bdh: #pashdown (Quit: bdh) IRC log ended Thu Jul 21 21:39:46 2005 Generated by irclog2html.pl 2.1 by Jeff Waugh - find it at freshmeat.net!