Progressive Caucus Stuff

[Akno21]

Here's John Dibble on our platform, via PM

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Looks good to me.

[DanielX]

I would like to beg for the Progressive Caucus's support, even though I am doing exactly the same thing with the Regressive Caucus, the Agressive Caucus, the Passive Caucus, and the Justplaingressive Caucus.

[Josh]

I would like to beg for the Progressive Caucus's support, even though I am doing exactly the same thing with the Regressive Caucus, the Agressive Caucus, the Passive Caucus, and the Justplaingressive Caucus.

What about the Assertive Caucus?

[CheeseWhiz]

MW - ILV, CheeseWhiz

ILV hasn't announced his candidacy, but he did say he might not run.

[Ebowed]

I have sent Akno a private message detailing my thoughts on the progressive caucus platform.  I may be conservative on abortion and gun control but I'd like to remind everyone that I'm very liberal with the death penalty, drug legalization, and the environment.

[DanielX]

I would like to beg for the Progressive Caucus's support, even though I am doing exactly the same thing with the Regressive Caucus, the Agressive Caucus, the Passive Caucus, and the Justplaingressive Caucus.

What about the Assertive Caucus?

D'oh! I Knew I forgot someone!

(shuffles off to grovel to the Assertive caucus)

[Ebowed]

Here's a more in-depth look, I guess, at my stances on social issues:

Abortion - Oppose federal funding (honestly, the government has better things to give its money to); support second/third trimester ban, and at the least a PBA ban; support parental notification; opposed the legalization of RU 486 pill.

Death Penalty - Oppose in all cases, including the terrorists.  If we make exceptions for terrorists it won't be long until we make exceptions for lesser criminals.  The death penalty punishes some crimes while neglects others, and that's not justice at all.  I also see the death penalty as a violation of human rights.

Gay Marriage - I think the government shouldn't have anything to do with marriage, but as long as it does, gay marriage is fine, though I'd still prefer civil unions (for everyone, not just gays).  I do personally believe that homosexuality is wrong, but defending the "sanctity of marriage" gets a bit absurd when so many heterosexual marriages end in divorce.

Environment - I'd like to end our reliance on oil and coal.  In order to react to the pending global warming crisis I would support (in real life politics) signing the Kyoto treaty, which President Bush has failed to do.  I opposed drilling in Alaskan Wildlife Refuges.  When we have to put our endangered species at risk, you know that the administration's ties to oil companies are causing major problems.

School Prayer and Related Issues - I oppose organized prayer in public schools, but support the "Moment of Silence" that is used in most public schools.  I oppose removing "Under God" from the Pledge officially, however I am completely against the mandatory recitation of it in public schools.  Whether or not it contains a reference to God, being forced to say it is a violation of free speech.  Many liberals seem to overlook this fact, and it makes them look anti-religious.  To me, it's not about the reference to God, it's the whole thing.  Not wanting to recite an allegiance to the country is protected by the first amendment.  On a related note, I also oppose any laws or amendments that would outlaw flag desecration.

Drugs and Related Issues - I support the legalization of marijuana.  I oppose any laws that a city or state enforce that ban smoking in a public area; this should be up to the person who owns the business or land, not governmental officials.

Any other issues you'd like me to go over?

[Akno21]

Here's Cosmo Kramer

Gay Marriage
Support
Really I'm completely status quo on this issue.  I think it's states rights and I won't mess with it as a Senator at the federal level.

Death Penalty
Oppose
I think we need to make sure the poor aren't getting the death sentence more due to poor defense and I think in every case the defendent has the right to some kind of DNA testing to be paid for by government dollars, but I support the death penalty as it is used currently.

School Prayer 
Neutral more/less.  I oppose teachers leading prayers but support the right for students to orginize and be lead by each other in optional prayer if the time given is equal to or less than the time normally alloted to other clubs/orginizations.

Sex Ed/Contraception
Support.  I believe in abstinence only-education, however the platform gives the right for communities to decide which I support.

Media Regulation
Support with regards to news and information however I believe that we definitly need to continue to push to clean up tv programing during hours when children are most likely to be watching.

Taxation
Heavily Support

Education
Heavily Support

The Pledge of Allegiance
Oppose

Enviroment
Heavily Support

Pornography
Oppose

[Peter]

Gay Marriage
Support
Really I'm completely status quo on this issue.  I think it's states rights and I won't mess with it as a Senator at the federal level.

Thing is that marriage is defined at the federal level under our Constitution.

I'd perfer to wait on Districts 1 and 2 to see if a more socially prgressive candidate enters those races, though I know both Supersoulty and PBrunsel are both find members.

The vote won't be until a few days before the election, so there's still time.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Our strongest "anti-endorsement" in Senate races is to endorse NOTA - which is a course of action I will be recommending to this Caucus for at least one race

I've actually considered it in the past. I probably would fit, but I've decided not to join any organizations purely because I don't want to be beholden to anybody when it comes time to make a decision.

Our members aren't in anyway beholden to support 100% of our platform.

[Akno21]

I propose the following changes/modifications to the platform.

Abortion- I'm not sure what we want here, but we need something.

Death Penalty- Change to "Oppose in all cases, including the terrorists.  If we make exceptions for terrorists it won't be long until we make exceptions for lesser criminals.  The death penalty punishes some crimes while neglects others, and that's not justice at all." (Ebowed)

Pledge of Allegiance- Change to "Opposed to daily citation in schools."

[TheWildCard]

Death Penalty- Change to "Oppose in all cases, including the terrorists.  If we make exceptions for terrorists it won't be long until we make exceptions for lesser criminals.  The death penalty punishes some crimes while neglects others, and that's not justice at all." (Ebowed)

I disagree with that 100%.

If someone kills another person why should they be allowed to kill again?

I can see, and live with, this caucus not supporting the death penalty in most situations, but come on, you honestly believe that serial killers, those who rape and kill children, and finally those who plot to kill as many innocents as they possibly can should not be subject to the death penalty even if there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt of those crimes?

[TheWildCard]

I propose the following changes/modifications to the platform.


Death Penalty- Change to "Oppose in all cases, including the terrorists.  If we make exceptions for terrorists it won't be long until we make exceptions for lesser criminals.  The death penalty punishes some crimes while neglects others, and that's not justice at all." (Ebowed)

I'll quit the caucus if it takes that position on the Death Penalty.

I must agree.

[MAS117]

I agree with the Governor. DEATH PENATLY SHOULD STAND

[Akno21]

Well, we'll bring it to vote, hopefully, and see what happens from there.

Oh and Preston, what about our position on pornography do you oppose? Do you want the age raised, or it banned for all, or what?

[Peter]

The Caucus Rules change has gone up for a vote in the Voting Booth in this thread

Given that there were no declared opponents to MAS or myself, we are both declared elected unoppposed.

Other votes are next week.

Presently I have the following additions to the Caucus Platform:

Euthanasia

The Progressive Caucus supports the right of persons to have a dignified death when in great distress and suffering from a terminal illness.

Strike Present Death Penalty Plank, and replace with:

Death Penalty

The Progressive Caucus opposes the Death Penalty in all cases, including the terrorists.  If we make exceptions for terrorists it won't be long until we make exceptions for lesser criminals.  The death penalty punishes some crimes while neglects others, and that's not justice at all.

Strike Present Pledge of Allegiance Plank, and replace with:

Pledge of Allegiance

The Progressive Caucus opposes the daily citation of the Pledge in schools.
I've modified the wording to be more in keeping with our traditional style of writing for the Platform. Akno also wants something on Abortion.

[MAS117]

Death Penalty

The Progressive Caucus opposes the Death Penalty in all cases, including the terrorists.  If we make exceptions for terrorists it won't be long until we make exceptions for lesser criminals.  The death penalty punishes some crimes while neglects others, and that's not justice at all.

Strike Present Pledge of Allegiance Plank, and replace with:

Pledge of Allegiance

The Progressive Caucus opposes the daily citation of the Pledge in schools.
I've modified the wording to be more in keeping with our traditional style of writing for the Platform. Akno also wants something on Abortion.

I disagree with both. We need the death penalty, and the pledge shouldnt be removed. Under god should not be changed. Note that the pledge is optional no one is forcing anyone to do it. If you wish not to do the pledge thats your own choice. For the majority who do recite the pledge it should be kept.

[TheWildCard]

Death Penalty

The Progressive Caucus opposes the Death Penalty in all cases, including the terrorists.  If we make exceptions for terrorists it won't be long until we make exceptions for lesser criminals.  The death penalty punishes some crimes while neglects others, and that's not justice at all.

Strike Present Pledge of Allegiance Plank, and replace with:

Pledge of Allegiance

The Progressive Caucus opposes the daily citation of the Pledge in schools.
I've modified the wording to be more in keeping with our traditional style of writing for the Platform. Akno also wants something on Abortion.

I disagree with both. We need the death penalty, and the pledge shouldnt be removed. Under god should not be changed. Note that the pledge is optional no one is forcing anyone to do it. If you wish not to do the pledge thats your own choice. For the majority who do recite the pledge it should be kept.

I agree.  Our democracy cannot be preserved without our government instilling a sense of civic pride and patriotism.  I am completely opposed to the prohibition of the recitation of the pledge of allegiance in our schools.

I also agree, I have already stated my feeling about the Deapth Penalty proposal and I feel that we the pledge should be allowed in schools on a daily basis just as long as no one is being forced to do it.

[Jake]

No requires the pledge to be repeated.  That's good enough.  And not executing terrorists even?

Bad things about it:

1) Other terrorists will take hostages and demand the release of the terrorists in captivity. If we kill them, they can't do this.

2) Terrorists may be able to plan another attack from prison.

I guess some of you want us to move towards the "Europe" style of punishment. Sentencing terrorists like those involved with the 3/11 attacks to 25,000 or so years in prison, but being forced to release them after 40 years.

[Akno21]

Death Penalty

The Progressive Caucus opposes the Death Penalty in all cases, including the terrorists.  If we make exceptions for terrorists it won't be long until we make exceptions for lesser criminals.  The death penalty punishes some crimes while neglects others, and that's not justice at all.

Strike Present Pledge of Allegiance Plank, and replace with:

Pledge of Allegiance

The Progressive Caucus opposes the daily citation of the Pledge in schools.
I've modified the wording to be more in keeping with our traditional style of writing for the Platform. Akno also wants something on Abortion.

I disagree with both. We need the death penalty, and the pledge shouldnt be removed. Under god should not be changed. Note that the pledge is optional no one is forcing anyone to do it. If you wish not to do the pledge thats your own choice. For the majority who do recite the pledge it should be kept.

I agree.  Our democracy cannot be preserved without our government instilling a sense of civic pride and patriotism.  I am completely opposed to the prohibition of the recitation of the pledge of allegiance in our schools.

I also agree, I have already stated my feeling about the Deapth Penalty proposal and I feel that we the pledge should be allowed in schools on a daily basis just as long as no one is being forced to do it.

Feel free to vote it down. I just don't think it accomplishes anything when it becomes a mindless habit.

[Jake]

I propose an amendment to the platform:

Assisted Suicide


The Progressive Caucus supports the rights of a person to end their own life by requesting lethal doses of prescription drugs from a doctor and using them on themselves.

[Akno21]

I propose an amendment to the platform:

Assisted Suicide


The Progressive Caucus supports the rights of a person to end their own life by requesting lethal doses of prescription drugs from a doctor and using them on themselves.

I support this.

[Jake]

But only as a replacement for euthanasia. I don't think any serious group should make it an objective to push for the legalisation of killing people without their consent.

[Ebowed]

Responding to earlier posts: it's not the government's job to "instill" civic pride and patriotism.  As far as I'm concerned, people can think for themselves, and when we have good leaders that make us proud, the majority of people become patriotic.

Also, I don't see why anyone would quit a caucus because of one platform plank.

[Akno21]

How's this for abortion?

The Progressive Caucus supports the rights of the mother to have an abortion through the second trimester of the pregnancy.

[MAS117]

How's this for abortion?

The Progressive Caucus supports the rights of the mother to have an abortion through the second trimester of the pregnancy.

Good