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Political Positions

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by FR7 Baptist, May 10, 2010.

  1. FR7 Baptist

    FR7 Baptist Active Member

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    In the UK election thread, I asked Matt Black where I would fit in on the UK political spectrum. He said he needed more information. So, I decided to start a thread on it so we can all post our views on a list of issues so we can learn more about each other, and so I can find out where I fit on the UK political spectrum. I'd also like to find out about others' positions on a wide variety of issues. So here we go....

    Party: Democratic

    Abortion: should be illegal except in cases of endangerment of the life of the mother. However, I recognize that it will be near impossible to overturn Roe v. Wade, so I support government measures to reduce unwanted pregnancy, promote adoption and restrictions on abortion consistent with Roe.

    Budget: I support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. The budget needs to be balanced by spending cuts by eliminating pork barrel spending, ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in a responsible manner, trimming some unnecessary defence spending, and by raising taxes on the very rich, and re-instituting the estate tax.

    Death Penalty: I support the death penalty for defendants convicted of first-degree murder if there are aggravating factors.

    Drugs: Legalize marijuana, for hard drugs reduce penalties for possession. Increase border security to stop smuggling.

    Education: Public education should be handled at the local level with some federal funding. Increase government aid for college and make it merit-based. Increase opportunities for vocational training for those who do not attend college.

    Environment: Support clean energy, including nuclear. Increase mileage standards for automobiles. I support government regulations to reduce CO2 emissions.

    Guns: I support the Supreme Court applying the Second Amendment to the States via the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. I support allowing concealed carry of firearms with a permit, however I don't think permits should be required for ownership except for automatic weapons. Strengthen background check laws for gun purchases.

    Healthcare: We should have a public option or Medicare buy-in with a personal mandate to carry insurance with federal subsidies for purchasing insurance based on income. Insurers should be banned from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. Increase regulation of private insurers.

    Gays: I oppose gay marriage. I am open to civil unions for gays for purposes of hospital visitation, dividing property, etc.. Government and employers should not discriminate based on sexual preference.

    Courts: Increase pay for Federal judges. Give grand juries independent council instead of prosecutors serving as their legal advisers as they currently do. Allow for Federal civil investigative grand juries composed of half lay people and half experts in what they are investigating.

    Immigration: Secure the border with Mexico with the military if need be. Require illegal immigrants in the U.S. to leave. Make them register and give them an amount of time to leave based on their individual circumstances. They can then apply for legal entry into the United States. If they fail to comply, they will be deported and barred from re-entry.

    Foreign and Military Policy: Get out of Iraq and Afghanistan in a responsible manner. Stop policing the world and reduce overseas military presence. Have a humble foreign policy with diplomacy as its basis. Only go to war in defence and with a Congressional declaration of war. End draft registration. I oppose conscription in all cases whatsoever.

    Terrorist Trials and Torture: Ban torture, including waterboarding. Try terrorists who commit terrorist acts in the United States in United States District Courts. Terrorists who commit illegal acts against U.S. military targets should be tried in military commissions that contain substantial due process protections and are subject to civilian court review or in United States District Courts.

    Arts and Funding for the Arts: Increase public funding for the arts. Make music education mandatory in public schools.

    Taxes: Increase taxes on people making over $250,000 per year. Allow the Bush tax cuts to expire. Remove cap on taxable income for Social Security taxes. Increase capital gains tax.
     
  2. targus

    targus New Member

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    I don't mean to take this off topic...

    But how can you possibly hold most of those opinons and still be a Democrat?

    Abortion - you are exactly opposite of the Dems.
    Budget - have you seen what the Dems do when they are in charge of the budget?
    Death Penalty - you are exactly opposite of the Dems.
    Drugs - Dems don't care about ending smuggling.
    Education - Dems want as much Federal control of education as possible.
    Guns - you are on the opposite side of the Dems.
    Gay Marriage - you are on the opposite side of the Dems.
    Immigration - you are exactly opposite of the Dems.
    Terrorists Trials - you are 50/50 here - Dems want all the terrorists to be tried in civil court with full citizen rights regardless of who they are or where they are caught.
    Taxes - Dems want to tax everybody and everything.

    You may want to figure out where you stand on the political spectrum in the U.S. because I see a real disconnect between your stated beliefs and the party that you choose to affiliate with.
     
    #2 targus, May 11, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: May 11, 2010
  3. FR7 Baptist

    FR7 Baptist Active Member

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    Some of the issues you pointed out aren't accurate, such as when you say Democrats don't want to stop drug smuggling. Most Democrats are to the left of me on guns, but I'm not opposite. You're forgetting that on a lot of issues I'm to the left of Obama, such as healthcare and taxes. And, yes, on some issues I'm to the right of most Democrats. My big problems with the Republicans are on economic issues, civil rights, and foreign and military policy. The Republicans also have too much of a quasi-theocratic element, as well as having too many right-wing extremists that go beyond mainstream conservatism. I believe that there are some things that the government can do better than private industry and that, while a mostly capitalist system is best, the capitalist system must, at some level, be subservient to the public good.
     
  4. poncho

    poncho Well-Known Member

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    Ah hah! You're a collectivist. I shoulda knowed it.

    Newsflash, this country was founded on the idea of individualism not collectivism.

    Back a couple hundred years or so the American colonists got together and revolted against European collectivism because of all the problems it caused all throughout Europe's bloody history.

    And now you would bring it back here???

    Wazamatta U huh? You got something against individual liberty?

    What made this nation the greatest country in the history of the world?

    INDIVIDUALISM!!! Not collectivism.

    Collectivism gave rise to the National Socialist Party and people like Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot. Individualism gave rise to the USA and liberty. Which do prefer?
     
    #4 poncho, May 11, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: May 11, 2010
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