2006-06-23 13:53:18 · 13 answers · asked by Alvin K 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Metric system?????
We BARELY know the system we're using now!!! Anyone who knows their Multiplication Table is considered a Mathematical GENIUS!!!
2006-06-23 13:58:25 · answer #1 · answered by nicole p 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The closest the US came to adopting the Metric System was in the late 70's. I was only a kid but I can vaguely remember some gas stations changing to Liters. The problem was they took advantage of people's ignorance of the Metric System to gouge the consumer (charging close to 70 cents for a liter when gas was only 1.70 per gallon at the time. 1 liter is about 1 quart so they were charging about a dollar more per gallon. ) Once people figured it out (and it didn't take long), in people's minds's Metric System = Way to rip consumers off.
Still, the relic of this late 70's experiment was 2 liters of sodapop.
2006-06-23 21:17:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Resistance to metrics has existed primarily by industry.
(MY viewpoint)
The cost of replacing machinery was/may still be too expensive.
Think about this. As imports continue to increase and our manufacturing declines in US, I think it likely that US will eventually change to metrics. We are the only country in the world still using the antiquated system devised by the Pilgrims. I suppose that the Pilgrims were so insensed by the Kings that they wanted to abolish anything connected with Britian.
The pilgrims, in all their "wisdom" went so far as sizing the length of shoes, in barley corns**. When the Pilgrims arrived and winter came, they finally realized that not one single shoe maker had come over on the Mayflower. They came on subsequent ships. It was 1840 before ready made shoes were available and that began to change. I only use this reference to demostrate why we are using a different mode of measures than the rest of the world.
Everyone knows that every mechanic now must have two sets of tools to perform their job. Hmmmmm, is it possible that tool makers might have an agenda?
Anyone who has learned the metric system loves it. No more converting inches to feet, to yards, etc. No more adding inches and feet, then converting inches back to feet, no more 10ths or 100ths of a foot. Geesseh. One is only using equal parts of 100ths, CM-1,000ths, MM. If one analyzes the system, it's not much different than our money. Think about it.
2006-06-30 10:58:08 · answer #3 · answered by ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every excuse I've ever seen for "NOT" going metric can be easily debunked point for point. It boils down to the fact that Americans are collectively arrogant, ignorant and immature. The elected politicians are a reflection of this as well as having no vision.
There's no power or money involved for politicians to care.
2006-06-27 18:32:43 · answer #4 · answered by get_with_the _programme 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This question gets asked often enough...search questions to see all of the different answers.
In summary, America is stuck on tradition. Our system isn't bad as long as everyone understands it, but the metric is much easier to understand.
And it would really cost billions of dollars to change...do you want to pay for it?
2006-06-23 21:16:01 · answer #5 · answered by powhound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the metric system sucks. I hate the metric system .
2006-06-23 20:56:24 · answer #6 · answered by reallyfedup 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because Americans do not seem to think they are part of the world.
2006-06-23 21:07:31 · answer #7 · answered by soccerplayer2491 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Primarily because American are too comfortable with what we are using now, and majority rules.
2006-06-23 20:56:44 · answer #8 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We tried several years ago when I was a kid, but it didn't seem to take!
2006-06-23 21:12:00 · answer #9 · answered by Sherry K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have. Some use it, some don't. Just like everything else here.
2006-06-23 20:57:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋