AMA and make it juicy, 2,500 Posts / 6 Years

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

I know I'm not nearly the most prolific user here, but I've seen users with less history post these and it seems like light-hearted fun, particularly since as you all probably know by now I'm a pretty open book.

In a few months, I'll have been here with on and off bouts of activity for 6 years.

Despite my disagreements with some users, I've also made a couple friends here and I just want to say to every one of you that I appreciate this community. Particularly as an outlet for hobbies and interests that my real life friends would likely draw blank faces at.

So go ahead, ask your resident LGBT+ Democratic/Libertarian Socialist anything you'd like.

[Schiff for Senate]

1. Wht issue are you most right-wing on?
2. What issue do you think you disagree with me on most (aside from transgenders)?
3. What issue do you think you agree with me on most?

[John Dule]

As a "libertarian socialist," are you sympathetic to the argument that part of the reason for public distrust in (and indifference to) government is bureaucratic overcomplexity? Do you think slimming down government might help with public engagement and holding state officials democratically accountable?

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

1. Wht issue are you most right-wing on?
2. What issue do you think you disagree with me on most (aside from transgenders)?
3. What issue do you think you agree with me on most?

1. Most likely immigration. While I don't believe in deporting people who are already here and contributing, I do believe that we should defend our borders and European countries taking in millions of people is unsustainable and reckless IMO. In order to have a broad social safety net you can't be the 'life-boat' for the whole world... Better to focus on foreign aide and assisting the developing world in building strong economies and civil societies.

2. Without knowing many of your specific positions, I'd agree we probably differ the most on economic issues like you said on the 'Opinion Of' thread. I believe government has a big role to play in limiting and regulating the damage massive corporations can do to a country and its people. And certain things, healthcare for one, shouldn't be commoditized whatsoever.

3. We likely both agree that the rise of demagoguery with politicians like Trump and the alt-right has been devastating to our democratic institutions and public discourse.

As a "libertarian socialist," are you sympathetic to the argument that part of the reason for public distrust in (and indifference to) government is bureaucratic overcomplexity? Do you think slimming down government might help with public engagement and holding state officials democratically accountable?

To an extent, yes. I read an article once (couldn't find it again, sadly, but I'll keep looking later) which essentially said government regulation should scale with the ability to harm society. Massive corporations have a huge amount of influence to buy off politicians, damage our environment, mistreat workers, etc that small-medium sized businesses and the average person just couldn't, even if they wanted to. So we should regulate these big players accordingly with strict oversight while the average person and smaller businesses should be more or less left alone.

And certainly the US would benefit from more direct democracy and government/political transparency. I'd like to see every state have binding referendums eventually which I think is one of the best (if imperfect) democratic outlets we have here in the US.

[Schiff for Senate]

1. Wht issue are you most right-wing on?
2. What issue do you think you disagree with me on most (aside from transgenders)?
3. What issue do you think you agree with me on most?

1. Most likely immigration. While I don't believe in deporting people who are already here and contributing, I do believe that we should defend our borders and European countries taking in millions of people is unsustainable and reckless IMO. In order to have a broad social safety net you can't be the 'life-boat' for the whole world... Better to focus on foreign aide and assisting the developing world in building strong economies and civil societies.

2. Without knowing many of your specific positions, I'd agree we probably differ the most on economic issues like you said on the 'Opinion Of' thread. I believe government has a big role to play in limiting and regulating the damage massive corporations can do to a country and its people. And certain things, healthcare for one, shouldn't be commoditized whatsoever.

3. We likely both agree that the rise of demagoguery with politicians like Trump and the alt-right has been devastating to our democratic institutions and public discourse.

I do think healthcare is a human right everybody should have and that the government probably should provide to those who can't afford it, actually. That said, I would absolutely oppose the government banning or shutting down private-owned, for-profit medical facilities. Those should continue existing and those who'd like to pay for private healthcare should absolutely be allowed to do so. The goal isn't for the government to completely control healthcare - but rather, for the government to offer healthcare to anyone who needs it (and can't afford it). Ideally only those who really need government healthcare would spring for it and most would stick with private insurance/healthcare.

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

1. Wht issue are you most right-wing on?
2. What issue do you think you disagree with me on most (aside from transgenders)?
3. What issue do you think you agree with me on most?

1. Most likely immigration. While I don't believe in deporting people who are already here and contributing, I do believe that we should defend our borders and European countries taking in millions of people is unsustainable and reckless IMO. In order to have a broad social safety net you can't be the 'life-boat' for the whole world... Better to focus on foreign aide and assisting the developing world in building strong economies and civil societies.

2. Without knowing many of your specific positions, I'd agree we probably differ the most on economic issues like you said on the 'Opinion Of' thread. I believe government has a big role to play in limiting and regulating the damage massive corporations can do to a country and its people. And certain things, healthcare for one, shouldn't be commoditized whatsoever.

3. We likely both agree that the rise of demagoguery with politicians like Trump and the alt-right has been devastating to our democratic institutions and public discourse.

I do think healthcare is a human right everybody should have and that the government probably should provide to those who can't afford it, actually. That said, I would absolutely oppose the government banning or shutting down private-owned, for-profit medical facilities. Those should continue existing and those who'd like to pay for private healthcare should absolutely be allowed to do so. The goal isn't for the government to completely control healthcare - but rather, for the government to offer healthcare to anyone who needs it (and can't afford it). Ideally only those who really need government healthcare would spring for it and most would stick with private insurance/healthcare.

As our system has proven trying to find a mix between private insurance and universal healthcare inevitably means that many people fall through the cracks in some way. Private insurance simply shouldn't exist, period, cause when it comes to things that are life and death I believe everyone should be provided with those services on an equal basis. Private insurance often times doesn't even mean actually being able to access services when your deductible or co-payments are astronomically high, and I know a sh**t ton of people in that situation.

So yeah, I'd still say it's probably an issue we both disagree on.

[GregTheGreat657]

If you had to live in Upstate NY, where would you choose to live?
Do you follow sports? If so, what are your favorite teams?
What is your favorite food?
Would you ever consider running for elected office irl?

[No War, but the War on Christmas]

If you had to live in Upstate NY, where would you choose to live?
Do you follow sports? If so, what are your favorite teams?
What is your favorite food?
Would you ever consider running for elected office irl?

Actually, I did live in upstate New York for around 5 years during my teenage years. Clifton Park near Albany to be specific. If I could choose anywhere though I'd probably choose somewhere up near lake champlain, beautiful area.

Difficult one, cause growing up with Chinese and Latino step-parents and step-grand parents I've been introduced to sooo many different types of food and culture. Considering the Grandpa was an Italian award winning Chef though I'm gonna have to go with Italian food. Simple, fresh ingredients are the focus and there isn't a single Italian dish I can think of that I wouldn't eat or don't enjoy.

When I was younger and more optimistic I use to think about it a lot, sadly due to some health issues I don't think I'd be quite apt to handle the stress and ugliness of our politics these days.

Thanks for the non-political questions.