Summary of political beliefs

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Social

Abortion: Pro-choice
Gay Rights: I fully support gay rights, up to an including full legal equality (marriage/civil union and adoption)
Separation of Church and State: I'm a proud secular and oppose any and all attempt at all to give religion a role to play in politics.
Affirmative Action: I think in certain circumstances it is needed
Gun Control: The idea of owning a gun boggles my mind.
Death Penalty: Death penalty is barbaric - the state should play games of blood lust.
Censorship: Moderate levels.
Flag burning: It's a symbol, yes. But it is a symbol that is owned by every citizen.
Smoking: I hate being around smokers - it should be as limited in public as possible.
Alcohol consumption: The legal drinking age should match the age of voting right.
Euthanasia: Support, with very strict medical guidelines.
Drugs:Drugs are dangerous - and they should not be legalised. I do support small quantities for medical reasons.
Gambling: With moderation!
Prostitution: It's never going to disappear - don't decriminalise - but don't prosecute.
Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Strongly support.
Immigration: All illegal arrivals must be identified within 6 months or returned to the border. Amnesty for all those illegals already in the country. Maintain refugee committment.
Environment: Aggressive action - but based on economic common sense.
Patriot Act: Vigourously oppose

Economic Issues

Taxes: The tax rate should be as low as possible for those on incomes below $40,000pa. Focus tax cuts on low and middle incomes.
Unions: Unions have a place - but they cannot control things in a liberal market economy.
Free trade: Careful supprt.
Social Security: Support universal, public healthcare.
Space Program: A very low priority.
Welfare: Continue attempts at reform

Foreign Policy Issues:

Democracy and Trade: Aim sanctions at non-democratic states - but only military sanctions as first resort.
United Nations: Strongly support, reform needed.
Iraq: A complete disaster. But mess is made by us, we have a responsibility to leave it as stable as possible.
Israel: Israel needs consistent support, however, there MUST be a viable Palestinian state by 2012.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

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

You really are clueless aren't you?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Right... I like you TJ... but this is REALLY flawed logic.

Doctor-assisted Euthanasia happens every single day in hospitals in the US and in every other country, the difference is it's about assisting someone to pass who is going to anyway, but is suffering - it's not called that, but that's what it is.

There is NO correlation between euthanasia and the type of health system you are part of.

Also, consider that in the current US system your care is based far more around costs than more public-based systems.

I would recommend reading up on how the health care systems ACTUALLY work in France, the UK, Australia and Canada - because they aren't subsidy schemes for private insurance companies their per-head cost of GDP on healthcare is lower and produce better healthcare outcomes.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

* I based this on Marokai's ... sorry for stealing some parts, but if I agree with it... why type it again?

Overall philosophy: From the time I became fascinated with politics (around 8-9) until I was 16-17 I was pretty conservative person – but that’s largely due to the influence of my grandmother.

My overall philosophy has evolved over the last decade, with life experience, to make me more of an economic moderate (supports low-ish taxation, a progressive tax system) and a social liberal/libertarian. I suppose in many ways, I may well be a latte liberal.

I support the role of government in society, as someone who has worked for government and continues to work in that sphere, I know how efficient is actually is and believe that the size of government is not the issue, its how effective it is.
Social Issues.

Abortion: I support unrestricted abortion rights in the first trimester. However with each trimester there should be medically valid reason for the termination. I don’t support abortion at the point of viability unless for medical reasons – at that point, allow the option for adoption.

Drugs/Legalization: I support marijuana legislation and regulation, but continue to oppose any other attempts at legalisation.

Euthanasia: I support euthanasia for people with terminal illnesses, with medical approval and clear suffering.

Gay Rights: Gays and lesbians deserve protection from discrimination and unions should be given full legal equality with marriage. Churches can do whatever they like.

Gun Control: Licences, clip restrictions, mandated ownership limits,  and ammunition controls. Ban all automatic weapons for private purchase, most semi-automatics. Gun ownership is also a responsibility, it does not undermine the right to be expected to abide by reasonable controls.

Immigration: A fool’s errand. Provide an amnesty and path to citizenship to those already in place. Crack down on those hiring illegal immigrants. Don’t punish the children of illegal immigrants by denying them an education.

Prostitution: Support legalisation and STRICT regulation.

Separation of Church and State: I support subjecting churches to the same taxes any other property or property owner would be subjected to. The Churches views should be considered, but only as they would with any other stakeholder. Religious viewpoints should never be of primary concern in policy making in a Western liberal democracy.

Stem Cell Research: Of course it should be legal and encouraged. Good lord. The amount of possible breakthroughs far outweigh the "moral consequences" of a few frozen slabs of goo. Sorry.

Smoking Bans: Support bans in public spaces and in enclosed private businesses without proper ventilation systems.

Affirmative Action: I’m honestly ambivalent

Miscellaneous:
•   I oppose the death penalty in ALL cases
•   Mandatory minimum sentences are idiotic.

Economic Issues.

Taxes: I oppose flat-taxes fervently. Income taxes should encourage work and achievement, while at time same time reflecting the ability to pay and real-time effects of taxes on high-income individuals. I oppose personal income tax rates of above 50% on anyone. Support a crackdown on personal and corporate loopholes. Support a graduated set in estate taxes from $3m in value and up.

Education: Voucher systems would be a white-flag from public education. Education is probably the most important investment we make as a society. Teachers deserve pay on par with the service they deliver. No subsidies for private schools or Universities… you want to send your child to a private school… pay for it all yourself. Direct that funding to boost public education.

Environment: I support Cap and Trade as well as other programs to create carbon offsets. I support strong environmental regulation as well as the creation of additional national parks. 

Social Security: Social Security should remain out of the stock market’s reach. Incomes of over $250,000 per year should receive a reduced level of support, up until $1,000,000 when it cuts out. Increase the age of applicants.

Unions: Unions are a key in building the middle-class and the workplace benefits we all enjoy today. They must be monitored to avoid corruption, which only undermines the Union movement in the eyes of many people. 

Health Care: A ‘single-payer’ system – with a private system for elective and non-essential medical services. Government subsidies of prescriptions – no prescription should cost more than $50.

Energy: I support nuclear energy, providing the infrastructure is sound. But longer-term support significant investment in renewables, with 50% of power coming from renewables by 2040. Support a 5year moratorium on drilling.

Miscellaneous:
•   I support bring rail transit up to European standards, with an increased focus on bringing rail to more parts of the country than just heavily populated areas.
•   I support a 20% interest rate cap on credit cards.
•   I support raising the full-time minimum wage to move towards a functional living wage.
•   I support banning payday loans, and other predatory loan practices.
•   I support equal pay laws, further protection of maternity leave, and an expansion of vacation days per year for all workers.
•   I support banning drug advertising.

Foreign Issues.

Military Spending: Close overseas bases, cut defence spending by 25% immediately, with the aim of a 45% cut within a decade.

Iraq: Complete withdrawal, limited foreign aid.

Afghanistan: Withdrawal over the next year, with close monitoring and support.

Libya: Support for the NTC to establish stability.

Diplomacy/Sanctions: Sanctions CAN be effective, but rarely have the desired effect. Diplomacy should be default setting for international relations, however contentious.

Miscellaneous:
•   My general approach to dealing with terrorism is pretty much what Obama has been doing; targeted military strikes, intelligence gathering, and a law enforcement focus.
•   I very strongly believe in a two-state solution in Israel, but Israel needs to stop thinking they can do everything they want with no consequences.
•   I support getting rid of the trade embargo on Cuba.
•   Private military contractors should be controlled and regulated.

Electoral Issues/Government.

Voting Regulations: I support automatic voter registration, and oppose photo-ID laws, as they are mostly used as political tools to disadvantage young people, poor people, and minorities. I also support making election day a federal holiday, to increase turnout as much as possible.

Elections: I support compulsory voting – it’s a civic responsibility.

The Senate: The filibuster is a joke – if you have 51 votes, you should be able to pass something.

Referenda: Again ambivalent 

Electoral College: It’s an anachronism.

Miscellaneous:
•   I oppose electing judges. They should be appointed on merit.
•   I oppose allocating electoral votes by congressional district, it's insanely undemocratic and by far disproportionately benefits rural areas.
•   I support independent redistricting boards for all states. No gerrymandering!
•   2 year House terms are an utter joke!
•   I support any efforts to make all election campaigns entirely publicly financed.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

You're a dirty Socialist, Polnut.

Curses! Sprung!!