esk@wucs.UUCP (Paul V. Torek) (11/06/84)
[Far be it from me to agree with Reagan on anything, but...] >From Tim Sevener whuxl!orb > 4)Population Control- all past Republicans and anyone with a grain of > common sense accepts the need for population control. But this past > summer Reagan's administration released a report stating that > "population increase was natural" and that it was no problem as > demonstrated by examples such as Hong Kong--more population meant > more economic growth the Reagan administration's report argued. > I realize that economic growth does eventually lead to the Demographic > Transition in which population growth eventually slows down. > But the demographers project that even with the Demographic transition > that the world faces enormous problems unless something is done and > present programs continue to curb population growth. Personally I don't > want to see the whole planet as populated as Hong Kong. Do you? Population growth does contribute to economic growth; even economic growth *per capita*, in the long run. The world faces enormous problems whether or not population growth is targeted for reduction. If population growth is reduced now, we make it easier on less-developed countries now but harder later. Instead of spending that money for population control, might it not be better spent on development, on health care, on agricultural research, etc.? This might be a better way to promote economic growth per capita. Also, I would favor a population growth rate somewhat higher than that which would maximize economic growth per capita. The addition of people, a great majority of whom think their lives are worthwhile (if you do not believe it take a poll), into the world, is in itself a good thing. Think about it. --Up with people, Paul V Torek, ihnp4!wucs!wucec1!pvt1047 Please send any mail directly to this address, not the sender's. Thanks. "Did you hear that Sominex endorsed Reagan?" "Yeah. They figured if people could see Mondale on the news every night, nobody would need to buy sleeping pills."