Atlas Forum '08: February 8-11

[NDN]

I have no clue.

For one major reason. I really don't know in-depth where all candidates stand on all the important issues. At the very least, candidates should fill out a President Forever-like platform thingee to get a feel of their ideology and how they'd fit it in with the various ideological divides in each state. As of now, a bunch of candidates saying "I'm campaigning in Iowa on this and that" is all cool and nice, but doesn't tell me, as a judge, much about their platform and so forth.

I agree completely.

This game is very chaotic right now and frankly I'm starting to lose interest.

[NDN]

Social issues

Abortion: I am pro-choice, but feel that roe v. wade was based on dubious reasoning. I will not have an ideological litmus test for nominees on this issue.

Second Amendment: I oppose all federal gun control laws. I am especially opposed to the federal assault weapons bill, which the facts show did not reduce crime and merely prohibited militaristic looking weapons. Leave this issue to the states.

Affirmative Action: I oppose race based affirmative action on the grounds that it violates the 14th amendment. I support class based affirmative action programs, more attention to racial disparities in education, and help for minority business however.

Stem-Cell Research: I strongly support giving federal funding to stem cell research.

Gay Rights: As President I will repeal don't ask don't tell, though I will not promise more because frankly I have little influence over this issue at all. The courts and the states will determine the future of gay rights, which I believe will eventually lead to the legalization of gay marriage.

Sex and Prostitution: I support sex education. Prostitution is ultimately a state's rights issue.

Drug War: The drug war has failed. We have not seen a reduction in drug use, the UN today estimates that we only seize 13% of illegal drugs, drugs have become cheaper, our prisons are more crowded than ever before, and frankly we have seen an alarming erosion in personal freedom. I will end federal involvement in this issue and turn any drug prohibition or legalization to the states.

Election Reform: We need to have a paper trail for all ballots cast electronically. Moreover, we need publicly financed campaigns, but that will not happen.

Illegal Immigration: I support building a wall, increasing funds to ICE, fining employers of illegal immigrants, oppose drivers licenses to illegal immigrants, and oppose all guest worker programs. I do however support a conditional earned citizenship program for long-term illegal immigrants who have a job and no other criminal record.

Economic issues

Tax Cuts: The Bush Tax Cuts were heavily tilted towards the wealthy, and have increased our debt further. However, it is obvious that our tax system is highly complicated and at times anti-competitive, particularly in regards to business taxation. I will phase out the Bush Tax Cuts but provide tax relief for business -- especially small business -- and the neediest Americans.

Social Security: I support phasing out benefits for the wealthy and encouraging private savings more so than now.

Medicare: I support offering americans a choice between private insurance and a government healthcare plan similar to that enjoyed by congress.

Welfare: The status quo is mostly adequate on this issue, but I favor more work training programs.

Education: I oppose No Child Left Behind. It is bureaucratic, an unfunded mandate, and frankly does not address much of the underlying problems in our school systems. I support increasing teacher pay in return for less job security, an extension in scholarships for disadvantaged children, and a limited voucher system for chronically under-performing schools. I also support school uniforms..

Minimum Wage: I support indexing the minimum wage to inflation.

Energy Independence and the Environment: I support investing heavily in alternative energy sources, including Nuclear Power which actually emits less radiation and toxic by products than Coal. I support moving away from heavy emphasis upon the Federal Highway System, and more towards locally administered Mass Public Transportation & High Density Urban Planning. I also support building more refineries and allowing Alaska to drill wherever it deems fit.

NASA -Space Exploration: I support giving more funding to NASA, to allow for more exploration of the moon and other planets. In the future this may yield very positive advances, particularly in regards to Energy. For example, we might mine Hydrogen or Helium on the Moon, and the Asteroid Belt could provide many raw materials for American companies.

Foreign Policy:  America is over-extended and chronically in debt to nations such as China. My administration will end the Iraq War and phase out involvement in areas such as Europe and Asia. It will use the resources saved to invest more in the US economy and remedy our increasing fiscal woes. 

[NDN]

Question for Democratic candidates:

Will your name be on the ballot in Michigan and/or Florida? Remember, they have been stripped of all delegates. A non-answer is considered a yes.

Yes.

[NDN]

New Hampshire

Democratic

Sensei - 28%, 6 delegates
Rocky - 27%, 6 delegates
NDN - 19%. 4 delegates
Afleitch - 16%, 4 delegates
Ben Constine - 10%, 2 delegates
Willy Woz - 0%

Republican

Fezzyfestoon - 46%, 6 delegates
Hashemite - 36%, 4 delegates
TJN2024 - 22%, 2 delegates
KingoftheBenchPress - 2%

Total

Democratic

Rocky - 17
NDN - 16
Sensei - 11
Ben Constine - 10
HappyWarrior - 9
Afleitch - 4
Willy Woz - 0

3,253 total; 1,627 needed to win

Republican

Fezzyfestoon - 36
TJN2024 - 18
Hashemite - 4
KingoftheBenchPress - 0

2,380 total; 1,191 needed to win

Was it too late to take Sensei off the ballot?

[NDN]

NDN is giving a speech in Virginia:

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[NDN]

NDN is challenging the DNC ruling on Florida and Michigan:

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[NDN]

NDN is giving a speech on trade in Ohio:

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NDN is running ads in Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Georgia on this issue.

[NDN]

NDN is speaking in Nevada on Business Tax Cuts:

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NDN is running ads on business tax cuts & help in Virginia, Nevada, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Ohio, Georgia and California.

NDN is running ads on Healthcare in Nevada, Oregon, California, Washington, and Ohio.

[NDN]

NDN is speaking on Healthcare in Nevada:

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NDN is running ads on ending the Iraq War in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

NDN is starting a massive internet-based fundraising campaign.

[NDN]

NDN is speaking in Nevada on the Iraq War:

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[NDN]

NDN is speaking in Nevada on Jobs:

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[NDN]

NDN is holding an enormous fund raising rally. Over 500,000 people are attending.

[NDN]

NDN is speaking in Nevada about Jobs:

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[NDN]

NDN is taking a break from speeches to campaigning in Ohio, focusing on the issues of trade, jobs and foreign policy.

NDN is running ads on jobs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

NDN is continuing his internet fund raising drive.

[NDN]

NDN is holding a question and answer forum in Ohio.

NDN is running ads on Healthcare Reform in California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio.

[NDN]

NDN is bombarding Ohio with ads on Healthcare, Education, the Economy, and the Iraq War.

NDN is touring Hospitals in Ohio.

[NDN]

NDN is speaking at college campuses in Ohio.

NDN is bombarding Ohio with ads on leadership, energy and the budget.

[NDN]

NDN is holding another internet fundraising drive.

NDN is unveiling ads on tax reform and the economy in all states with February primaries.

[NDN]

NDN is holding a BBQ fund-raiser outside Columbus, Ohio.

NDN is running ads on foreign policy & ending the Iraq War in all states with February primaries.

[NDN]

NDN is running ads on his leadership skills and experience as governor in all states with February primaries.

NDN is campaigning on gas & his energy policy in Ohio.

NDN is staging another enormous internet fundraiser.

[NDN]

NDN is speaking with the United Steel Workers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

NDN is running ads on energy policy & reforms (e.g. mass transit) in all states with February primaries.

NDN is staging a townhall meeting in Philadelphia.

[NDN]

NDN is running ads on immigration reform in California, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Florida and Virginia.

Soundbite:

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[NDN]

NDN is meeting Michael Nutter as part of a fundraiser.

NDN is running ads on gas & cost of living in Pennsylvania.

NDN is running ads on trade in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon and Georgia.

NDN is running ads on education in all states with february primaries.

[NDN]

NDN is barnstorming in Pennsylvania.

NDN is running ads on leadership in all February states.

[NDN]

NDN is running ads on civil liberties in all Super Tuesday states.

NDN is barnstorming in South Carolina and Ohio.

NDN is campaigning in Pittsburgh on taxes.