Transparent Elections: A Public's Right to Know Project1. Why are you running for President / Vice President?Firstly, thank you Ebowed for doing this. There has been a gaping hole in this campaign to address many issues that ARE important to Atlasians. I'm running for president because I want a place filled with politically interested people, to be politically active. That activity can come from the grass roots, but it can also come from the leadership, challenging the populace to address concerns. There are many concrete policy changes on education, health, foreign affairs and the like that I wish to focus on.
2. What is the greatest issue you hope to tackle, if elected?There isn't one. The issue of activity is important, but perhaps the biggest issue would be addressing social policy which has been largely out of view for the last while.
3. Where do you stand on the following social issues:a. Illegal Immigration - Well, I do not believe that this country should have an open-door policy. However, I do think that attempting to detain/deport every illegal immigrant would be time consuming and expensive. We also must think about the possibility of the illegal immigrant having children who are Atlasian citizens. I do think that a policy of amnesty would work best.
b. Capital Punishment - I am completely opposed to the death penalty in any circumstance.
c. Gay Rights - I have been deeply supportive of gay rights both in my private and public life. I worked to get the Mideast regional authorities to recognise same-sex couples on a equal footing with heterosexual couples.
d. Affirmative Action - I don't support blanket affirmative action. I think there is the need in some areas to make sure that opportunities are afforded to every person who has the talent and ability.
e. HIV/AIDS - A horriffic disease, in Atlasia, and the rest of the western world - the key is teaching people that while abstinence will completely protect a person, if a person chooses to have sex they must use a condom. It is the height of irresponsibility to have any sex-education program without condom education at its centre.
f. Abortion - Another issue where I do think government involvement should be minimal. I do support full-public support for first trimester, however, I do think that there should be more steps in later stages. However, the key relationship is between the woman and her doctor.
g. Euthanasia - I do support the legalisation of voluntary active euthanasia. There must however be incredibly strict medically supervised conditions.
h. Drug Law - I do not support the full legalisation of any illegal drug. I think many underplay the risks of these drugs. I do, however, support the allowance to possess small quantities of canabis for medical use.
i. Stem Cell Research - I think equal support both financial and political, needs to be given to both adult and embryonic stem cells. I don't think we should shy away from controversy when the results could quite simply change the world.
4. Where do you stand on the following economic and environmental issues:a. Minimum Wage - Given the worst-off people in our society are the working poor. People who subsist on minimum wage jobs. The wage must be increased across the board, if only to make welfare the less attractive option.
b. Estate Tax - I understand that in many cases the main issue might be of being cash poor, but asset rich, such as the family home, which could easily have increased in value. I feel that there is a case to lower the estate tax for estates below a value of $500,000. I support a progressive estate tax, as I support a progressive income tax.
c. Universal Health Care - I do think in a vibrant society the health of every citizen should be the concern of the government. It must be done carefully, and with consideration. I do find it funny that those who are most opposed to Universal health care are those who will advocate a limitless military budget.
d. Education Reform - Like the need for a healthy population, having an educated one is vital to the future of this country on every level. We need to make sure every child can read and write by the age of eight, opportunities for college must be made available.
e. Global Climate Change - We need to reduce out carbon output drastically. We need to invest in better technology to make better use of our present resources, plus we must also make sure that we invest in new resources.
f. Alternative Energy - The key, we need to invest more time and effort into gaining benefit from solar, wind, tidal and geo-thermal power. It's the best long-term solution to break the habit of fossil fuels. But it must be done with consideration.
g. Oil Drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge - Under
NO circumstances.
h. "Sin" Tax - It's an interesting thought, but not something I can admit giving a lot of thought to.
5. Where do you stand on the following forum affairs issues:a. Popular Initiative - It is an idea with merit, I need to read more on it to have a concrete idea.
b. Proportional Representation - I've been generally opposed to it, since it's a bastion of representative government, rather than true democratic government. It does have benefits, but I am not a fan in general.
c. Balance of Regional and Federal Power - There needs to a respectful relationship between the two levels. Each having their responsibilities, and the regions must be given more authority.
d. Cabinet Size Reform - There needs to a cabinet of the appropriate size to meet the needs of responsibilties of the federal government.
e. Senatorial Term Limits - I'm torn on the idea of term limits. I do think that elections should be the determination of a person's political "expiry date", however I do think that extreme incumbency is a dangerous thing.
f. Judicial Term Limits - I do think that there should be terms of roughly six months, but a person can be reappointed.
g. People's Referendum - As long as there is clear evidence that enough people support the measure going to a vote, then I have no problems with it.
h. Line Item Veto - I think the lack of a LIV forces greater cooperation between the executive and legislative, which is good.
i. Secret Ballot - If a measure which prevents duplicaton can be found, then of course I support it.
j. Vote Editing - I understand the concerns, but I do think since there is no way of knowing what is edited, then a 20-min limit should remain. Any editing after that point should invalidate the vote.
k. Preferential Voting - I do have a few concerns about it - but I do think that for the time being it is the system that does work in our political workings.
