Summary of political beliefs

[Person Man]

Political Typology: Western Democrat  Examples: Jon Tester, Ed Pearlmutter, Brian  Scwitzer, Dave Freudenthal


Social : Microcratic Liberal

Education: Keep status-quo on evolution
Abortion: Pro-Choice, support the originial ruling in Roe v. Wade, no funding though. No restrictions on funding or practice of stem cell research or health care delivery.  Full prosecution for murder for 3rd trimester abortions unless in self-defense. 2nd degree abortions outside of rape, insest, self-defense and unforeseen defect can be civilly liable on the federal level and criminally liable at the state level. End the Mexico City policy and reconsider cloning. Fully fund birth control clinics and comphrehensive sex ed.
Homosexuality: I support legal recognition of homosexuals or an end to the state recognition of sectarian marraige.
Church/State: I support the status quo on the issue.
Drugs: Continue combating meth, end prohibition on marijuana. Defer the drug war to the states.
Affirmative Action: Nuetral on issue and its a states' rights issue.
Immigration: I support the current status quo on the issue and favor enforcing current laws
2nd Amendment: Legalize assault weapons and conceal carry. Support "Make My Day".
Euthanasia: Support Oregon's Law
Death Penalty: Oppose with exception to terrorism or in war time.
Prostitution: Legalize it, still prosecute if STDS are transferred.
Freedom of Speech and Pornography: So long as children are not involved and no other crime is committed, pornography should be legal and indecent exposure should only be enforced around children. All other speech should only be restricted around children as well and violent video games should be a matter for the states only. I am really hung up on campaign and ethics reform.
Tort Reform: The 7th and 8th amendments are suitable for this need.
Gambling: Laws against this seem unreasonable given that when one invests, one is gambling.
Patriot Act: Strongly Oppose. We all must understand that 9/11 was a once in a lifetime event.
Hate Laws: I oppose hate speech(I would consider flag burning hate speech) rerstrictions, but a violent crime done clearly done in the name of hate should be aggrevated. However, it should be a complete defense  in any legal subsequent legal proceding if someone "lashes out" because of the hateful speech of another...
Rapists/Pedophiles: Perhaps we should try physical, not chemical, castration and use them as eunuchs




Economic Issues: Moderate Liberal

Taxes: Restore the Clinton Tax code, redistribute tax cuts to 35K to 90K income bracket and remove payroll taxes for paychecks that are for less than 400 dollars a week.

Unions: Supportive. As companies buy labor, there should be companies that sell it by selling themselves.  Repeal Labor Laws and give that power to unions.

Free trade: Strongly support except for funding the development of new infrastructure and industries.

Spending: Levels of spending should be pinned to inflation until their internal finances and administrative structures are reviewed and waste identified. Where cuts in spending can be made they should be made.

Social Security: Move towards part privatisation of the pensions system and an immediate raising of the retirement age to 67. It should also be raised to 70 when life expectancy is raised to 87 (probably by 2045) and should be privatized completely when average life expancy rises to 100 (by 2085).

Space Program: Increase Funding, privatize all sub-orbital and orbital space infrastructure, services, research and transportation. National should focus on making sure that the ORION system matures and establishes Moon Stations and Martian Expeditions.

Welfare: If you want to encourage people to enter the workplace, you have to make the take home pay higher than welfare. As outlined above, income tax should be abolished for those below a certain income allowing an incentive to non workers. Also, there should be an earn income tax credit program to allow those who work at least 40 hours(or 35 for a single parent with more than 2 children so long as they see a social worker) a week to supplement their income so that they are above the poverty line.

Health-care: I support the Massachuettes plan. We need to allow people to work by what is good by them, but allow them to be able to afford the plan they need. However, for one to be eligible for MediAssist(insurance subsidies for middle income individuals), MedicAid or MediCare, they must be able to show that they are taking preventative steps in order to lower their costs. Also, medical programs should make it easier to buy vocational prosthesis such as cybernetic implants and gene therapies as they become available.

Education: Use an alternative voucher system and raise overall funding.

Environment and Subsidies:Transfer subsidies from oil to uranium, solar energy and hydrogen production. Create new industries to buy off all of the excess corm produced by subsidies, cut subsidies of farmers once agriculture becomes more profitable from new industries. We should allow states to manage the wolf populations per the designs so long as the continental wolf population stays above 50% of its current level.

Foreign Policy Issues: Centrist

Democracy and Trade: Don't punish the citizens of a country because its government is destructive to the common good or its people.

Afghanistan: Send an extra division to Afghanistan.

United Nations: Strongly support. We must work with other nations to 'lock out' dubious undemocratic nations from key posts. The UN can be used as an insturment to secure America's leadership.

Iraq: I initially supported the war, but began opposition in April 2004, Leave by the election, except for 4 brigades near the Syria Border and 4 brigades in Kurdistan.

Israel: Strongly support Israel and its defence of it's people and territory. Support establishement of Palestinian State under democratic leadership. Propose that East Jerusalem become a joint adminstered 'free city' under the UN. Allow Israel to deal with Gaza in whatever way it sees fit.

[Person Man]

Wow, you are so liberal, you make me, an active tow-the-line democrat blush.

[Person Man]

Then again, it could just be elective....have a cutoff at the 60th pencentile and work with HMOs for custom packages that are worth about about 1000 a year in general expenses plus CHIP and dental.

Upon further thought, I oppose the fairness doctrine anywhere, at anytime. Nuetrality is a fundamental right to the media.

[Person Man]

So Fezzy, outside of foreign policy, where do we disagree?

The War of Northern Agression Southern Illegality.

You mean the slaver revolt.

Or simply the Slaver Riot.

[Person Man]

So Fezzy, outside of foreign policy, where do we disagree?

The War of Northern Agression Southern Illegality Southern stupidity.

Or simple "The War to put down those damned uppity tweakers"

[Person Man]

No. How about we abolish all sin/excise taxes for drugs/tobacco/booze?

Hey. That's more taxes there, fewer taxes elsewhere.

I am worried about ending the protection of people idiots with money that don't deserve it.- Legalize Gambling.

[Person Man]

Sin taxes are social engineering and hurt the lower classes.

Good point. In fact, most of these drug control laws have their roots in racism. Especially pot and cocaine.

[Person Man]

support conservation and animal rights. I also support some wealth redistribution against the ultra elites.

And you say you aren't a National Socialist?

LOL....Nat Soces love animals and fertilized eggs more than the do minorities.

[Person Man]

They are illegal for a reason, you know.

Why, pray tell?

Racism....and with those policy positions, I would probably ask about his positions on eugenics.

[Person Man]

Racism?  He took that quote from my drugs stance, if you had actually read it.  I must be some Bible-thumping, minority-hating, reactionary, white southerner in your eyes huh?  The reason why "illegal" drugs are "illegal" is because of people's safety.  I think the safety of the American people is more important than making a few bucks off of Mary J.  But obviously other people don't share that thought.

...and you know what stereotype caused pot to become illegal in 1937?

We tried making alcohol illegal in 1919, but because it was mostly white Catholic immigrants who drank (Bavarians,Irsh,Poles,Italians), people quickly came to their senses.

[Person Man]

Social Issues

Abortion: I'm staunchly pro-life, but support exceptions when the mother's life is in danger.
Separation of church and state: Those words appear nowhere in the Constitution. I support freedom OF religion and not freedom FROM religion.
Gay marriage: Marriage should be between a man and a woman. I support civil unions and domestic partnerships.
Affirmative action: Reverse discrimination.
Hate crimes: Not what the libs pass.
Gun control: Strongly oppose.
Death penalty: Support it for 1rst degrees murders, and eve3n serial rapists who emotionally take the lives of others, but not for statutory rape.
Flag burning: I strongly oppose it personally, but whether or not it's a 1st Amendment right is questionable.
Euthanasia: Not really.
Prostitution: Legalize it for the age of 18.
Immigration: I support legal immigration 100%. For illegal immigration: build a wall and
Drugs: Against it.
I support almost all sexuality when it's part of nature and not other preventable addictions  such as drugs.

Economic Issues

Taxes: Very low taxes.
Trade: I believe free trade grows our economy.
Spending: Gov't. Federal only for national security and states for roads and some other areas that the constitution grants, no more.
Welfare: Crap.
Education: Confused on this issue.
Regulations: Don't regulate excessively, but make sure that a Madoff scandal doesn't happen again.

Foreign Policy

Military Involvement: Support! Especially if they are undemocratic and are supporting terrorism
United Nations: Pretty useless.
Israel: I support Israel 1000%.

You forgot to include:

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[Person Man]

This is poorly written but I believe it is well thought out-

Social Agenda:
What's a better motto?

A More Perfect Union For A Proud, But Less-Than-Perfect People.

Or

Practical Values For America's Future

Civil Rights and Liberties: Agree with Progressive Democrats in protecting and expanding Civil Rights and Liberties, except when Pro-Republican Conservatives advocate for greater protection of Civil Rights and Liberties.

Civil Rights, Liberties and First Amendment issues in Public Schools: Allow student-lead prayer on school grounds but oppose any form of faculty supported prayer. Defend current jurisprudence; Keep the Lemon Test, but allow parents receiving public vouchers for the schooling of their children, if they so choose, send their children to parochial schools that would
otherwise qualify for voucher funding.

Domestic Relations: I think that adultery (having sex with someone who you are not in a relationship with when you are in a relationship with another person) and fornication(having sex with a person who is in a relationship with another) are serious civil issues when dealing with a divorce. Though no-fault divorces should be maintained, a spouse/very significant other should have the right to sue a fornicator for common law relationship interference and adultery is and should be considered in any divorce decree.


Substantive Due Process and Civil Rights and Liberties in Bioethics: Pro-Choice; Support current Federal Jurisprudence but will entertain any idea to promote live child birth that is not designed to invalidate any current Jurisprudence. Furthermore, I oppose any Executive actions that are designed to discriminate for or against the performance of abortions. Publically funded sex-ed programs are  important and should simply intend on preventing teen pregnancy, family/dating violence and the spread of sexually transmitted infections. The right to any birth control and privacy should not be abridged. Biomedical and bioethical research and funding policy should not be used as an improper venue for trying to change current abortion or birth control policy.      

Equal Rights in Bioethics: I support the legal protection and recognition of homosexual relations and relationships or in the alternative, an end to the state recognition of sectarian marriage. Beyond this, efforts to honestly promote live child birth should include granting the right of adopting children to homosexual couples and the administrative requirements to the recent repeal of DADT should be expedited.  

Church/State: See above. The current Jurisprudence is sufficient lest we become a country where religion controls government (see Iran, Iraq or any other impoverished or any significant emerging nation that is not India or China) or vice versa (see France’s banning of burqas and crosses).  

Regarding the Regulation of Intoxicating Substances: Do more with less and protect the rights of responsible adults.  Maintain current drug war policies but let states opt out of federal drug control schedules. The State of Florida and other states should use this new power to decriminalize marijuana. The current federal case law on this issue of the Commerce Clause and the drug war was wrongly decided and should be overruled.  Allow misdemeanants convicted of drug charges to use Federal Financial Aid. Furthermore, Congress should waive the requirement that states must set their minimal drinking age to 21 to receive federal road construction funding. Current DUI laws are sufficient.

Affirmative Action: Neutral on issue and its a states' rights issue. Current federal jurisprudence should be respected on this issue. Consider a more race neutral way of promoting social mobility for underprivileged people. A mind is a terrible thing to waste and poverty and social disenfranchisement damage both individuals and communities and we should also be mindful that a disproportionate number of such individuals are non-Europeans, disabled or have mental illnesses.

Immigration: I support the current status quo on the issue and favor enforcing current laws. The United States is not an old world European nation trying to protect its ancient culture; support the DREAM Act. However, perhaps we should start consider more aggressive ways of stopping illegal immigration that do not involve cruel or unusual methods. Illegal immigrants already residing in the United States should be allowed to a path to legitimize their presence if they are otherwise eligible for various degrees of naturalization that may or may not rise to the level of citizenship. Otherwise, non eligible illegals should be deported in ways that are not cruel and unusual. English should be accepted by Congress as a “common and unifying language”, though Spanish and indigenous languages should be considered “languages of local importance”.

2nd Amendment: Continue to support current Supreme Court trends. Legalize assault weapons and conceal carry. Support "Make My Day" laws. Background checks are necessary, but no permanent loss of gun rights for misdemeanants (see Student Aid).
.
Euthanasia: Support Oregon's Law. “Euthanasia", by definition, is letting someone die or hastening someone’s death without their consent. This is indefensible homicide in itself. Physician Assisted Suicide should be a choice for ethical doctors and responsible adults that are non under duress as an end of life treatment plan under strict guidelines.

Death Penalty: Oppose with exception to terrorism or in war time. A Death Penalty policy similar to Italy or Israel’s seems to be a good model. This could be accomplished on the state level, congressional level or through the courts.

Prostitution: Legalize in its most casual and carefree forms inasmuch as it does not involve lewd or licentious behavior/solicitation outdoors or in a place where there is likely children. Otherwise continue to enforce the Mann Act and its prohibition against sex trafficking and pimping.

Freedom of Speech, Obscenity and Lewdness: So long as children are not involved and no other crime is committed, pornography and reasonable expressions of human sexuality should go un-harassed. Furthermore, there should be designated places for public nudity with current laws enforced everywhere else. All other speech should only be restricted when it is likely to be encountered by minors  and legislation regarding violent video games should be a matter for the states only. I am still really confused on campaign finance and ethics reform.

Tort Reform: The 7th,8th and 11th amendments are suitable for this need. Generally support current Tort Reform laws that keep medical malpractice caps above $1,500,000, punitive damages at one and one half treble or $500,000, whichever is greater and torts against the sovereign above $500,000.

Gambling: Laws against this seem unreasonable given that when one invests, one is gambling.
 
Patriot Act: Strongly Oppose. We all must understand that 9/11 was a once in a lifetime event and that the suspension of Probable Cause and prospects of suspension of Habeas Corpus are unreasonable.

Hate Laws: I oppose hate speech (I would consider flag burning hate speech) restrictions, but a violent crime done clearly in the name of hate should be aggravated (much in the way it is when one batters or assaults a police officer). However, judges should  be more open to instruct juries about an assault or battery being considered “consented” to if there is a sufficient taunting or hostile audience, much in the way it is a partial defense to homicide.
 
Rapists/Pedophiles: Perhaps we should try physical, not chemical,castration and use them as eunuchs. Naw, just kidding. It would be pretty funny though. Who doesn’t like genital mutilation jokes? However, I think its reasonable and could be used to get a sentence time or treatment or registry plan reduced.

[Person Man]

Economic Issues: Moderate Liberal

Taxes: Restore the Clinton Tax Code after the current Tax Holiday and reassess the Federal revenues at that time.

Unions: Supportive. As companies buy labor, there should be companies that sell it by selling themselves. The Employer Free Choice Act seems to be the best way to go about redistributing some selling power back to those who perform services and produce goods.

Free trade: Ask me next year. The question depends on whether the United States has enough unique and profitable industries to naturally maintain high enough wages for the welfare of its work force. At this point, I would say “no” and that there should be tariffs on goods from emerging manufacturers. However, these emerging markets might stop growing as fast as the US’s economy begins to see substantial growth. In this circumstance, the US’s high wage  market can simply exist on the fact that India and China just aren’t producing enough to cheap goods to fuel American or European growth. Otherwise, the US will have to find some way of protecting out of date industries until the American businessman can find a new way to make money that involves the American worker.

Spending: Levels of spending should be pinned to inflation until their associated program’s internal finances and administrative structures are reviewed and waste identified. Where cuts in spending can be made they should be made.

Social Security: Let’s face it- The elderly simply aren’t voting for Democrats anymore. My generation is likely to see Social Security canceled by the time we are old to start receiving it and those that are currently receiving it apparently don’t want it. I think we should start entertaining plans to start privatizing Social Security in a way that allows those born before 1960 to still have their Title II retirement benefits. That being said, I’m pretty open minded though it would be great that we found some viable alternatives. A lot of people are talking about some sort of Government buyout program for aging workers funded the same way traditional Title II programs are. People say “just let us have our money”.  

Space Program: Support the Obama plan of retiring the Space Shuttle, Privatizing U.S. involvement in LEO and ISS manned activities and the commitment of all our man-rated space development into a heavy lift launcher that will get a man or woman out of the Earth-Moon system by 2029.  This really isn’t about exploration anymore. Its about finally finding a large scale use of for space that can improve our standard of living down here on Earth beyond creating a supply of $300 pillows, $2 science museum ice cream or $20,000 watches. That’s not going to be found if we simply focus on turning low-earth orbit into a junk yard, parking lot and perhaps a $750,000.00 a night motel complex that caters to the average eccentric metro schpuppel (the Family Guy game with the balloons played by nidicolous people from Scandinavian Countries) star from Finland (or some other country that, at least in theory is really white, nerdy, liberal and whose women are supposed to make sex with anyone else seem more boring than touching yourself) or common closeted Russian mobster.

Welfare: This issue is a bit confusing. The ultimate goal is to provide a way to keep people alive who may be productive in the future, but at a level where work is considered a palpable alternative to receiving welfare.  

Health-care: I support all of the major parts of the AHCAA of 2010. However, I am willing to drop the insurance mandate and see if we can get to 5% uninsured without it. If not, we should just go with it. Eventually, we should put in some type of limited public option with good supplemental plans when Republicans  up again. Single payer just seems like it would be a bitch to do. Its probably already enough that we help people buy their own insurance. We should do that with car insurance. hardy har har.  

Education: Allow Republicans to introduce pilot voucher systems and up-or-out teach merit pay systems, but do not use either as an excuse to cut per capita funding to public schools, student to teacher rations, extracurricular programs or scholarship programs. I’m going the “Paris Hilton” route on this- “do a little bit of everything”. I think that’s the Obama route as well sans his misgivings about vouchers.

Environment- Human-caused Global Warming is probably, but not certainly a severe problem. However, the political will behind addressing it appears to be dead even amoungst the democras on this forum. It appears that the best we can do is simply adapt to it if and when it starts causing sustained and serious damage and death. However, there is still a lot of political will behind saving money and not throwing it away to people who don't even like us half way across the world...nevermind creating jobs when we have nine four unemployment.  I think the solution is to pursue an aggresive war against the use of fossil fuels that creates more jobs than it eleminates....ways of doing this could include fighting for higher CAFE standards, financing more projects like ITER and various solar experiments. Issuing more permits for nuclear plants could be a good start as well.

Foreign Policy Issues- Multilateral, but relatively hawkish

START Treaty- Support

2011 Defense Budget- Support

Democracy and Trade: Don't punish the citizens of a country because its government is destructive to the common good or its people; Oppose sanctions and foreign aid.

Afghanistan: Support the President.

United Nations: Strongly support. We must work with other nations to 'lock out' dubious undemocratic nations from key posts. The UN can be used as an instrument to secure America's leadership.  

Rogue States: Agree with current tactics; Prepare for war with NK and Iran, but don’t attempt to instigate it. That usually works, whether or not there’s ever a war.

Israel: Strongly support Israel and its defense of it's people and territory. Support establishment of Palestinian State under democratic leadership. Propose that East Jerusalem become a joint administered 'free city' under the UN. Allow Israel to deal with Gaza in whatever way it sees fit. The ultimate objective is simply a way to secure Israel’s future with as little suffering as possible.

[Person Man]

SOCIAL ISSUES:

Abortion:  While I don't like to push my morality directly on others, I still can't
deny that a fetus after a certain period of time is a life.  This is one of those
issues where I'd be inclined to support the rights to life over the right to choose.

Gay Marriage:  I don't personally support gay marriage.  However, I don't think it's
the duty of the government to decide what marriage is.  This is an issue to be left to
religions, civil unions, and not the federal government.  In the argument of
for/against adoption, I have no problem with a child being adopted by such a couple.  
If America allowed adoptions to be more accessible, and not as expensive as it
currently is, I believe more children would grow up in a stable home.  That being
said, I would hope any parent wouldn't try to push an anti-traditional or anti-"gay"
view on a child.

Gun Control:  I am a very strong supporter in second amendment rights  I believe
that the founders recognized that the government needed to be aware that the citizens
it serves, have the ability to usurp their power.  This may sound radical but, I
believe this was the mentality the writers of the constitution had during the time period they lived in.  I do support waiting periods, background checks, and the forfeiting of this right to criminals.  However, in most cases, I will support the right to bear arms.

Death Penalty: Under no circumstances.  I can't morally support the right to life on
the abortion issues, yet deny that same right to a criminal.  Besides the fact that I
don't think we should kill off "undesirables", it's also not cost-effective to our
judicial system.  The appeals of a capital trial cost quite a large sum.

Drugs: Legalize drugs.  The Federal government should not be in the business of
telling me I can't take some drug.  Ron Paul actually made sense in saying, "I don't
know anyone who would go out and shoot up a needle tomorrow if the Federal government
legalized drugs." (Something to that effect).  All the people I know who would be
susceptible to taking a drug, already do. To much money has been wasted on an issue
that can never be controlled.

Prostitution:  I have no problem legalizing prostitution.  However, I'd be worried
about sexual safety so something would have to be done there.  As long as prostitutes
aren't flaunting in the public square, it's not my business.

Immigration:  Protect the borders.  End random lotteries.  This goes without saying,
but these stupid "citizenship tests" are ridiculous and flawed, reform the process!  
Finally, offer those overseas who are currently enrolled in our Universities the
opportunity to become productive citizens.  

Euthanasia:  If someone wants doctor-assisted suicide, I have no problem granting
their wish under certain circumstances.  However, I can't say I could force a doctor
into participation.



ECONOMIC ISSUES:

Taxes:  Reform the tax code.  If wealthier people couldn't con the system so easily,
perhaps there wouldn't be a problem.  I'm interested in the "Fair tax" but, there's no
general consensus over what the sale tax rate would have to be (22-33%)

Spending:  Domestic spending must be reduced.  Tax revenue alone can't fix our
deficit.  The military MUST be examined for possible spending cuts.  Further, social
programs can't be sustained indefinitely under the current conditions.

Education:  Give the states money to fund their education.  The Federal government
can't blanket educational reform or funding across the nation.

Unions:  I have no problem with people getting together to assemble.  What I do have a
problem with, is the necessity of joining a Union.  Also, Union funding for outside
functions is not acceptable.  

Tariffs:  No, simply no.



FOREIGN POLICY:

Military:  Look at spending cut opportunities.  Find the most cost-effective route,
and take it.  

Iraq:  Useless war that should never have been an issue.  Not to mention they could
have distracted Iran for us.

Israel: Work for talks of a Palestinian state.  Both nations have a right to exist.

Intervention:  Generally, the fact that we need bases in South Korea, Germany, Japan,
ect is ridiculous.  How much money are we spending to maintain these?  No, we
shouldn't completely isolate ourselves.  However, isolation isn't the same concept as non
-interventionism.


That's my general 5 minute mock-up.  Yes, I did reference Ron Paul .  I got a bit lazy when I got to foreign policy so that's why it's shorter.  I've certainly missed something, and not fully
developed my points but, what do you want for a summary?

Pretty moderate, actually. 

[Person Man]

Social issues: I am a social libertarian, except that I oppose legalizing prostitution in most circumstances, support criminalizing abortion after the fetus becomes viable, support restricting what offensive content can be said and shown on television and radio to after a certain time (when most children go to bed), support government funding for religious charitable organizations (as long as they don't use that funding to promote their religion), support hate-crime legislation, and support commonsense gun control measures. Otherwise, I support same-sex marriage and adoption, oppose capital punishment, oppose the PATRIOT Act, support ending the 'war on drugs', support comprehensive immigration reform, and support drastically reforming the immigration system.

Economic issues: On economic issues, I'm more moderate. I believe that the government should protect consumers and workers, including the right to collectively bargain, should provide basic needs for its citizens, and should implement strict antitrust legislation, in order to prevent monopolization and promote competition. I also support limiting the influence of money in politics, and strongly oppose implementing a flat tax or a fair tax, because doing so would place an undo burden of taxation upon those who can least afford it. However, I support free trade with most countries, support returning control of the education system to local communities and away from teachers unions, and support abolishing tax breaks and subsidies to special interest groups, including oil companies and farmers.

Foreign-policy issues: I'm progressive on foreign policy. I oppose the war in Iraq, support the creation of a Palestinian state, and believe that the United States should not act unilaterally in military intervention, unless we were attacked first. However, I do not oppose military intervention in order to promote humanitarian goals. I also believe that the focus of foreign economic assistance should be shifted away from foreign governments and toward directly aiding citizens and communities.     

There's a place for you in the Democratic Party. Take it or leave it. Offer's on the table.



Though what do you mean "oppose prostitution in most circumstances" when its already a zero-tolerrance issue. Maybe you just think that things should be kept the same, but we should leave kids alone who finds a stripper who thinks he's "kinda cute" in the club and ends up having sex with him in the champagne room?

[Person Man]

So phk, do you only support countercyclical taxation policy and not full countercyclical fiscal policy?

You mean, "cool off" hot economies with raising central bank rates, welfare and general spending and vice versa?

[Person Man]

13.) Abortion after first heart-beat should be heavily discouraged.

If I'm not mistaken, this position is quite different from the one I read last time.

Though, I have heard numbers from 2 weeks to 7 weeks for when it starts. I am guessing the best way to achieve such a policy would be to outlaw surgical abortion but still allow non-surgical abortion.

[Person Man]

Your statements on euthanasia, the death penalty, and abortion (among other things) are contradictory.

I was a bit worried someone would point that out, I noticed it too.  The conclusions may seem contradictory, but I don't think the reasoning is.  To me, abortion is about the rights of the mother--it's not a moral issue because a fetus isn't a person.  Euthanasia is, to me, a moral issue because it involves a actual person's life.  Death penalty is a completely different story, the value of one's life is erased when one willinging takes the life of another.

Ah, of course, the old canard about how someone can be a human and yet not a person.

This isn't that good of an argument. A lot of things are human and not persons. I mean, our various parts are human, but are not persons. I have been reading in scientific magazines and it appears that  more scientists are begining to criticize classical Mandelian-Darwinian evolution and begining to the theorize that we and all complex life may have evolved from communities of individual simple life forms in a symbiotic relationship. Perhaps the evolution of life on Earth is more like Spore than Mr/s. Garrison's "retarded fish frog". So, this isn't as good as an argument and may lose even more steam as our society's understanding of life changes..but then again, evolution may once again be controversial in the future, but not in the way you may think.

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Sounds like you, eh?

That sounds very much like me, thanks!  However, I'm not European and I don't plan on being one anytime soon.  American politics are so "shallow" and dumb to me...nothing like they have in Europe!

You can be a "Southern" Democrat or a blue dog....or simply an Anti-Republican Independent.

[Person Man]

I would generally describe myself as some form of a social liberal but not entirely. Non-interventionist foreign policy, Strong opposition to anything that violates personal freedom or privacy. Support for the lowest in society but not to the point of a welfare state. A help up but not a hand out. Low to moderate taxation.


Social Issues:

Abortion: Pro choice. Everyone should have a choice. While I personally do not like abortion, it is the individual's moral choice and not the government's. The individual must decide.

Affirmative Action: Oppose. It is pointless and counter-productive.

Death Penalty: Support but only for extreme cases. (Serial killers/war criminals etc). People who cannot be rehabilitated.

Drugs. Alcohol and Tobacco: Abolish the minimum purchase/drinking age and decriminalise lesser drugs. Repeal any anti-smoking ban enforce.

Euthanasia: 100% support for Euthanasia. The right to die IMO is a fundamental human right.

Gay Marriage: 100% support as it is again the individual's choice.

Gun Rights: Hmm.. I think you have the right to defend yourself and should have the right to have a firearm for protection in the house but I think there should be stronger regulation on firearms.

Immigration: Hmm.. moderate to open immigration. I really don't have a position for or against this.

Prostitution: I reject the idea of legalising prostitution. I think this is too far.

Separation of Church and State: 100% Secular.

Stem Cell Research: 100% Support for Stem Cell research.



Economic Issues:

Education: Education should be one of the main areas of reform and funding. Support all kinds of additional funding for the education system.

Environment: Encourage tax breaks for those companies who significantly reduce pollution levels. No punitive taxes and the people should be left to make up their own minds about environmentalist issues.

Fiscal Policy: Less taxes simple ha. I am not too sure really. Lower taxes and a smaller government but not to the point of crippling the poor.

Health Care: Universal healthcare. (I am British after all)

Social Security: A total Reform is needed.

Taxation: Flat tax and a low tax.

Unions: Neither support nor oppose.



Foreign Issues:

British:

Non-Interventionist policy: I generally oppose the idea of getting into other countries affairs unless it directly concerns us (Europe).

European Union: The people must be given a vote on the issue of Europe. In or out.

European Union reform: Assuming we remain in the EU then it must be made more democratic.

Afghanistan: Support and possibly increase our armed forces there.

United States: Neutral policy towards the United States. Oppose any American involvement in European affairs (reverse Monroe Doctrine). I'd push for a policy of reducing the American military in Europe.

NATO: Reform NATO. Possibly leave it. Create some kind of European military alliance in its place.

Falklands: Support the Falklander's self-determination and only enter into discussions if the Argentine's agree to recognise the Falklander's right to self determination.

Nuclear weapons: I am all for the greatest defence is the greatest offence. Support Nuclear weapons.


Overall:

I think all social issues such as abortion/euthanasia/Gay marriage is down to the individual and not the state and therefore should be legal. Individual moral choice not an authoritarian government telling people what they cannot do all of the time.

Strong/neutral foreign policy. Build bridges with Europe but the EU membership issue needs to dealt with first.

Economy: Social Liberal economic stance with a little Libertarian.

You are probably a very moderate libertarian Independent. My guess is that if you were voting in the US in 2008, you would have been getting ready to vote for McCain until he tapped Palin and then you would have voted for Obama or wouldn't have voted. Now, you are in the same situation. If someone like Huntsman or Johnson gets it, you will vote against Obama. If a Romney or Pawlenty gets it, you might consider voting for them and then not vote or you might vote for Obama because of Obamacare. If someone like Palin or Bachmann get it, you would probably vote for Obama.

[Person Man]

Yes...but I do not see how a person is in existence when there is nothing yet to fully constitute a basic person. A potential person is not a person as a potential anything else is not that thing. I mean, someone can say that "I am a potential millionaire", but that's not enough for me to give him a loan.  If you want to attack abortion, I think claiming that it is dishonest is a better plan of attack than saying its unjustifiable violence. I think South Park really animates this distinction as they make fun of the idea that abortion is a violent or unjustfiable act (Merry Critter Christmas, when they try to fight the antichrist with an abortion) but repeatedly denounces abortion as an act of dishonesty (when Cartman teaches an inner city school and he tells a pregnant girl that to be succesful she must cheat and that abortion is an ultimate form of cheating)

[Person Man]

Your statements on euthanasia, the death penalty, and abortion (among other things) are contradictory.

Whoop-de-doo!  Not all of political beliefs are internally consistent with one another...that makes me just like 95 percent of all other Americans...

Hooray for cognitive dissonance? I think that's the first time I've seen someone on here try to justify holding mutually exclusive thoughts simultaneously. And comparing yourself to the politically uneducated masses? Way to lower the bar for yourself...

Well, some people believe that "respecting life" could mean supporting a moratorium on the Death Penalty and protecting Roe v. Wade on the grounds that protecting all realised life that isn't a direct threat to another life needs protecting but that protecting potential life would lower the value of human life to the level of the chemical reaction that is human conception. A person could say that life is more than a simple chemical reaction lest people be a commodity to be bought and sold.

Conversely a person could be opposed to abortion and PAS yet be supportive of preemptive war and the death penalty on the grounds that even the most simple chemical reaction that starts human life is holy but the power of the state, when legitimized by constitutional due process and powers, is more powerful than any one human life.

R95 might simply think that human life should be respected within the frame of current legal tradition. That tradition is that life starts at birth or sometime during pregnancy and after conception and that the Federal Government and the states have the right to take a life if they legitimately meet their substantive and procedural burdens.  

Tradition might not be abstract enough for people, but some people think things are the way they are for a reason.

Yes...but I do not see how a person is in existence when there is nothing yet to fully constitute a basic person. A potential person is not a person as a potential anything else is not that thing. I mean, someone can say that "I am a potential millionaire", but that's not enough for me to give him a loan.  If you want to attack abortion, I think claiming that it is dishonest is a better plan of attack than saying its unjustifiable violence. I think South Park really animates this distinction as they make fun of the idea that abortion is a violent or unjustfiable act (Merry Critter Christmas, when they try to fight the antichrist with an abortion) but repeatedly denounces abortion as an act of dishonesty (when Cartman teaches an inner city school and he tells a pregnant girl that to be succesful she must cheat and that abortion is an ultimate form of cheating)

...

There is no such thing as a "potential person".

Sounds more like a belief than a fact...is there a potential anything?

[Person Man]

Your statements on euthanasia, the death penalty, and abortion (among other things) are contradictory.

Whoop-de-doo!  Not all of political beliefs are internally consistent with one another...that makes me just like 95 percent of all other Americans...

Hooray for cognitive dissonance? I think that's the first time I've seen someone on here try to justify holding mutually exclusive thoughts simultaneously. And comparing yourself to the politically uneducated masses? Way to lower the bar for yourself...

Well, some people believe that "respecting life" could mean supporting a moratorium on the Death Penalty and protecting Roe v. Wade on the grounds that protecting all realised life that isn't a direct threat to another life needs protecting but that protecting potential life would lower the value of human life to the level of the chemical reaction that is human conception. A person could say that life is more than a simple chemical reaction lest people be a commodity to be bought and sold.

So we protect something as fundamental as life by making the number of phenomena the category applies to arbitrarily limited because to be inclusive would diminish the whole? That’s a pretty nasty and regressive attitude if you ask me, and one that’s at the root of a whole host of terrible things. In what world does declaring someone ‘not a person’ ever improve the dignity and value of life? Additionally, describing a fetus as merely a ‘simple chemical reaction’ is pretty baseless, and, worse, a moot point altogether unless you can show me the point in which a fetus/baby/person becomes more than a ‘simple chemical reaction’.

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What kind of a person believes that something that is wrong magically becomes right if it is enshrined by the law of a government? Certainly not someone who actually cares about human life as an issue.

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This argument makes even less sense than arguing against abortion from the standpoint of ‘tradition’, whatever that means.

Easy. Should animals be treated the same as people? What about robots and computers that have very good AI? What if those robots use some human tissue to operate in the future? ..and its a good point to question what makes a person a person if its not just self-replicating DNA...but is it really a good idea to make that the sole criteria?

...and a lot of people base tradition off of what's right and wrong. For example, what was the father of conservatism, Edmound Burke's philosophy in the application of tradition? What is the role of tradition?

If someone is just going to get upset and call someone "cognitively dissonant", "nasty" and "regressive" because other people may think a certain way or other people think other people think a certain way, what is that person really trying to say?

[Person Man]

Well, that's what I would give TJ, anyway. He's probably a 2,7.  He's definitely right-of-center, economically ...but there are several caveats. Socially, he's right-wing (zero tolerance, but not over intense), but he isn't far-right. A far-right person would be interested in denying any form of seperation of church and state and be a tad xenophobic. He's a tad to the right of Bush (Bush "wasn't ready" for a total zero tolerance abortion policy), but not quite at Palin levels.

[Person Man]

Everyone, apparently including myself, wants to make everything about abortion.

Law school lecture? Try to answer a professor's question with something that do with "life", "human life", "personal autonomy" or just make it about Roe altogheter. Amazingly, out of six times of frustratingly, semi-jokingly using it, it actually was very productive two or three times.

Anyways, thank you for correcting me on Burke....he believed that tradtion was the path to knowing what was right and wrong. His principles would involve the "legal science" of the late 1800s as people would justify the law by saying that new decisions are based on the way things always were and that they are that way for a indeterminable but profoundly important reason.   

The point is that people have their own reasons for believing what they believe, even if it sounds hypocritical to you. "So, we wait til their born to kick their ass" or "Only if you show babies the same compassion you show their murderers and the murderers of others..." are statements that show a lack of understanding of why people think the way they do. That's all I am trying to get across. Nothing more. Nothing less.

[Person Man]

@ Free the Weed: Why do you hate fundies so much? Most of the founders were fundies.

It's interesting that you use the term "fundies" without scare quotes or quotation marks.

Well, they ran the gamut in terms of how orthadox or devout they were...probably in a way that well reflects modern American society, with about a quarter to third being fundies, a tenth being deists, a couple being atheists and the rest being devout yet moderate or casual protestants.