Herpes more popular than Congress

[say1988]

Not really. In fact I find it surprising that it is so low. IIRC a majority of the population (for basically every country in the world) has the herpes virus. I presume the 9% is just the minority that shows genital symptoms.

 

[The_J]

Just checked, seems that in english there's a name difference between genital herpes and herpes zoster, to which is normally refered as shingles.

The later one is spread to 98% of the US population (source), this is why i find this topic so...redundant. Herpes is more "popular" than nearly everything on this planet.
But seems that most people are thinking of genital herpes, which is only common in 16% of the US population (source).

 

[Tani Coyote]

So no one here is worried that more than 9% of the population has a specific venereal disease?

Even if it was talking of the STD, I see no reason why anybody who isn't promiscuous should worry.

More arguments for monogamy, kids!

Just checked, seems that in english there's a name difference between genital herpes and herpes zoster, to which is normally refered as shingles.

The later one is spread to 98% of the US population (source), this is why i find this topic so...redundant. Herpes is more "popular" than nearly everything on this planet.
But seems that most people are thinking of genital herpes, which is only common in 16% of the US population (source).

Thanks for the clarification, The_J. Suddenly, this article makes a lot more sense...

...and it also reeks of intentional abuse of connotations. Most will jump to think the STD herpes, and be "wow!"

 

[carmen510]

I'd just like to say that lowering term limits is a pretty bad idea. The simple fact is that the majority of a candidate's time, when limited to 2 years or even 4 years, is dedicated towards either fundraising or campaigning (which usually starts a year before an election). Lowering term limits won't make re-election campaigns magically go away.

Also, shorter term limits lead to fiercer partisanship. Quite simply, a Senator serving six years knows his 99 fellow legislators far better than a Representative serving two years know his 464 fellow legislators. This is why, in general, the Senate is more cooperative (within itself) than the House.