Even though no one asked, here's my answer
Despite the green avatar, I only play an independent on the forum; I’ve been a registered Republican for over four years. Bush got my vote twice, and I’ve voted for Roberts and Brownback (our two Republican Senators) and Jerry Moran (my US Rep and a Republican) three times. I’m not above voting for Democrats, though; I’ve worked on a couple of Democratic campaigns and will probably vote for Kathleen Sebelius in 2006. But Kansas Democrats are typically pretty far removed from the “liberals” that put the stereotypical face on the national Democratic Party.
I break up US politics into three basic areas: social, economic, and international.
Socially, I’m pretty conservative. I’m very pro-life and despite the near-futility of pressing the issue, I still favor a pro-life candidate over one who is pro-choice. I favor harsh penalties (including death) for criminals and think that rehabilitation is useless in many circumstances. I’m in favor of the War on Drugs and think drugs should continue to be illegal; also, strict enforcement of our alcohol laws should be adhered to. I don’t like affirmative action (which could be an economic issue, also, I suppose). I like the structure of organized religion and the idea of federal funding for faith-based charities. Anyone who has kept up with my posts over the last few months has probably figured out that I’m quite religious, as well. Still, I’ve got some more liberal aspects to my social beliefs: I’m not out-and-out pro-gay rights, but I can’t advocate discrimination of homosexuality and have written a lot in opposition to Kansas’ attempt to “ban” gay marriage through a constitutional amendment. I also strictly hold to the separation of Church and state. I don’t believe in wild tobacco regulation, either; that’s traditionally a conservative position, but it’s actually liberal if you think about it. Feel free to ask me about positions that I’ve left off, but the political compass puts me as moderately conservative on social issues.
When it comes to international relations, I’m an absolute hawk. I can see the liberal point of view on many international issues, but I do not accept it. I think the UN is defunct and corrupt; France is one of my few objects of hatred. I’m fully in favor of the US expanding and consolidating its power throughout the world, because I think we really do have the greatest system of government and the greatest people in the world. I’m very into “American exceptionalism”. I embrace neoconservative idealism on the global scale. Militarily, we need to stay prepared. Three to four percent of GDP spent our military is about right; perhaps it should be a bit higher.
Sic vis pacem, para bellum. We need to stay at the cutting edge of technological breakthroughs to keep ahead of other nations, both militarily and economically. With strength comes alliances, with alliances come balance, and with balance comes peace.
Economically, you could probably say I’m moderate-to-liberal. The unbridled free market can end up screwing a lot of people, and I’ve got no problem with limited government intervention in many areas of economic interest. Basic public health is a good idea, in my opinion. Trust-busting to ensure fair competition is fine. Tax cuts are okay so long as they don’t go too far; anymore, it’s simply become a political issue for Republicans to win on. Kansas Republicans screwed up our economy by cutting state income taxes too much, with the burden falling on rural counties to pick up the slack. I favor government funding of the arts and of history museums. Public education is a good thing and should be fully and adequately funded.
So there it is; that’s why I’m a Republican, although I’m one of a different stripe. A lot of Republicans are more socially liberal than they are economically, but I’m a populist Republican in the old sense of the ideology. I’m atavistic – a throwback, if you will. I cling to older things, both materialistic and idealistic. It’s evident in my political beliefs.
