Fwd: Re: [saymaListserv] Politics and Economics

[Janet Minshall]

>Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2003 10:31:32 -0500
>From: Janet Minshall <jhminshall at comcast.net>
>Subject: Re: [saymaListserv] Politics and Economics
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>Dear SAYMA Friend,  Thanks for the response.  I will check with the 
>Population Institute in Washington as you suggested, but I have seen 
>items in the foreign press that Europe's family planning agencies 
>responded to the Bush cuts by increasing funding for both abortion 
>and contraceptive programs in less developed countries (LDCs).
>
>I realize that slowing the rate of growth is a far cry from decline. 
>A Friend in SAYMA wanted to know what "population momentum" is as 
>Stan Becker used that term in a message.  I told her that it is like 
>putting on the brakes in a car -- the rate of forward motion slows 
>until it comes to a complete halt.  You have to come to a complete 
>stop before changing into reverse.  The info European demographers 
>are using indicates the worldwide decline will actually start in 50 
>to 100 years. In the meantime Europe, with an already declining 
>population, will be trying to work out an effective economic 
>response.  I hope they can. I also hope that the US government will 
>understand the problem well enough to realize that increasing the 
>size of the military and the security agencies is not adequate (and, 
>of course, is not the way of Friends). There has to be a big change 
>in economic policies and political direction in this country to 
>prevent catastrophe.
>				Janet Minshall



>In a message dated 11/30/2003 3:21:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
>jhminshall at comcast.net writes:
>
>
>>(I believe the Bush Administration has cut the provision of 
>>abortion services funded by the US but not the rate of 
>>contraceptive distribution by US and European-funded providers 
>>around the world.  Maybe you or Stan can check that out.  And I 
>>agree completely with your last sentence "Voluntary birth control 
>>is an essential component of improved women's health and 
>>establishing a democratic society for women as well as men").
>>
>
>I wish that were so, but Bush's crowd appears to believe "just say 
>no" is appropriate for married women in developing countries.  
>
>Re the rest of your message, "Slowing the rate of growth" is a long 
>way from actual decline, as Stan pointed out.  If there are actual 
>declines, it will almost certainly be due to the usual suspects. 
> And Europe during the Black Plague, as well as the US Native 
>American population decline, should certainly convince us that is 
>possible.  
>
>Surprisingly, the remedy is probably better population control, 
>rather than relaxing.  I'd contact the Population Institute in 
>Washington if you want more information on that point.
>
>
>
>
>--
>
>Janet's new e mail address is :  jhminshall at comcast.net


-- 
Janet's new e mail address is :  jhminshall at comcast.net
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