Summary of political beliefs
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Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck
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« Reply #50 on: July 27, 2005, 11:51:15 AM »
« edited: July 27, 2005, 11:58:29 AM by TakeOurCountryBack »

I'll redo mine, since I think I'm a little bit different than I was a few months ago, and I think I did a pretty bad job explaining them. 

SOCIALLY

General: Liberal

Total Equality: I believe in this country, the government should be blind to gender, creed, race, disability....whatever, you name it.  Age factors should be the only exception (obviously, a child should not have the same driving rights as an adult). 

Individual comes first: When it comes to social issues, the individual's wants and needs always comes first.  You cannot stop a person from excerising their free will just because the majority doesn't like it, or assumes it will have a negative effect on society.  I strongly believe it is a much bigger responsibility of a free nation to protect the minority rather than always cater to the majority.  I don't care if 99.99999% of the country is against gay marriage, I believe that gay couples' right to enter a marriage as equal as any straight couples' should never put up to a referendum.  Freedom to only the degree a particular group wants it (even if they are the majority), is not real freedom.  Real freedom is the right to your own free will, regardless.  Of course, there are always exceptions.  I advocate legalization of marijuana, but it's no myth that harder drugs are a social disease that destroy neighborhoods.  I basically believe that as long as you are not hurting someone, putting someone is danger, stealing, negatively impacting another, etc. you do whatever the hell you want.  I also believe it is not the government's responsibility to protect an adult from themselves, i.e. the seat belt law is awful and has to go for adults and owners of cars. 

Seperation of Church and State: Has there even been a bigger enemy to freedom than legislated religion? (Not in America, but read up on Europe in the Middle Ages, it's scary) No, not really.  Seperation of Church and State and a secular U.S. is the only way we will ever be truely free.  You simply cannot legislate ones' beliefs.  Of course, freedom to worship in the way you see fit (of course, unless it involves things like sacrifice) is vital to be upheld.  Also, I see no problem with prayer in a public school if everyone in the classroom (and their parents) wants to (and wants them to) participate.  Religious symbols in a public places are a problem though.  Please get the commandments out of the State Court.  I also hate the "America was founded on Judeo-Christian....blah....blah" argument.  It's bullsh**t.  If you make that argument, you obviously know jack about our Founding Fathers.  They were the biggest advocates for a secular America this country's ever seen!

Abortion: Tough, very tough.  I see legal abortions as a necessary evil.  I also think up until close to birth, whether or not the child is brought into the world is up to it's mother.  I also cringe to the thought of going back to the 40s and 50s when women would call up secret abortion doctors who used dirty instruments to perform to procedure, throw themsleves down stairs, hurt themsleves.  Pro-choicers just see the moral argument in a different.  I personally have no problem with Pro-Life people, because yes, abortion is the killing of a human being.  I just see it being legal as a necessary evil, that's all.

Gay Marriage (and marriage in general): Honestly, I don't think it's up to the government to enter people into a spiritual bond.  I think they should hand out equal marriage licenses to anyone (humans) who wants it besides close relatives.  Incest is bad. 

Death Penalty: Only in the MOST serious of violent and sick crimes.  Sorry, if you're the guy who killed a baby girl while raping her......you gotta go assh*le. 

Gun Rights: If you are 18, and you pass a psych test and physical test, THEN you have absolute right to gun ownership.  Why should a psycho be able to just walk into a gun show, buy a rifle for $50 and mow down the next family he sees. 

Freedom of Speech on the airwaves: Proper warnings on free airwaves (certainly less than what we have now though....).  Cable and satellite channels, absolute right to say, do, anything you want.  We have the V-Chip people, I don't even want to hear from a parent again that they can't control their own kid.  Besides, violent/sexual images haven't been proven to have any negative impact.  If you don't understand what you're seeing, you don't understand.  If you do understand, and you go repeat it (violence), that person has pyschological problems that have NOTHING to do with what they saw.  If you play GTA and then go shoot someone, GTA was just the trigger, you had serious problems before you ever flipped the PS2 on. 

I'll do Economic and Foriegn later
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Filuwaúrdjan
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« Reply #51 on: July 27, 2005, 12:03:33 PM »

Has there even been a bigger enemy to freedom than legislated religion?

Yes. Quite a few things.

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I'm not entirely sure what your refering to here... certainly most of the various countries, semi-countries, defacto countries, principalities, free cities... etc, etc, etc that made up Mediaeval Europe (if there was such a thing) were "not exactly" free, but that certainly wasn't the main problem...
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TeePee4Prez
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« Reply #52 on: July 27, 2005, 02:21:16 PM »
« Edited: July 27, 2005, 02:23:09 PM by Flyers2006 »

Social Issues

General philosophy: Liberalism

Separation of church and state:  Strongly favor.  I favor allowing religious education, but it shouldn't be taxpayer funded.  In Philadelphia, I have a problem with Islamic education being funded via charter schools.  Charter schools should be secular.  I can see some Title I funding for religious schools in poorer areas, but IHMO, religious education is an option parents should pay for themselves.   

Freedom of speech: Strongly favor.  If a parent doesn't want their child watching Howard Stern or South Park, there's a V-Chip.  Please stop b!tching.  I also think there should be nudity allowed on TV.  Europe is so far advanced than us on this.  Nudity on the internet- great thing!  Seriously, it sure cuts down on the amount of sexual assaults that could happen.

Right to an abortion: Very strongly support throughout the first two trimesters.  In the 3rd trimester I favor life of mother, incest, and physical health only.

Affirmative action: Generally oppose, but keep most of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Gun rights: Support an assault weapon ban and a handgun ban, but allow rifles for hunting.  I'm sure midstate Pennsylvanians could tolerate this.

Civil unions or gay marriage: Support both

Euthanasia: Strongly support

Prostitution: Support legalization, but shoudl be regulated a la the Netherlands.

Capital punishment: Mostly oppose, but allow it for terrorists and extreme cases.

Sex: Increase funding for contraception on TV and freely advertise where people can go and pick up condoms or pills.  Some educational institutions are so archaic about this.  Planned Parenthood should have stations outside parochial high schools giving students more accurate information than what's being taught.  Seriously, the number of teen pregos would be GREATLY reduced and DHS cases woudl drop dramtically.   

Economic Issues

General philosophy:  Standard pro-union Democrat with collegiate infulence from economics professors

Employers and Employees:  Strongly pro-union, but businesses should have some leeway to compete.  Expand OT rules into lower end professional sectors.  From a personal standpoint I will not leave the government for an accounting firm that will pay me little me more to work 60-80 hours per week.  If an employer wants to run young professionals into the ground they should pay them!   

Taxation: Income Tax: Look whatever balances the budget given reasonable services.  At this point they should be raised in a progessive fashion.


Spending: Cut government spending on wasteful programs, including some welfare programs, farm subsidies, foreign aid, and others.

Free trade: Cautiously favor.  Bilateral agrrements with labor and environmental standards.  Free trade is the best policy, but exploitation makes it worse to compete.

Funding of the space program: Favor.  New technology is brought about from such missions.

Foreign policy

General philosophy: 'Dove', isolationist

Iraq: Strongly Opposed. It is morally wrong, we have no reason to be there, and then we complain like Hell when they fight back?!?No Blood For Oil!

The American military exists to protect American interests, not to topple dictatorships. I wish someday we could make it into a Dept. Of Peace, but right now there isnt enough trust among nations.

Took some thigns from LiberalPA, because I thought a lot of it was good.  There are some disagreements though.
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Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck
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« Reply #53 on: July 27, 2005, 06:02:53 PM »

Has there even been a bigger enemy to freedom than legislated religion?

Yes. Quite a few things.

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I'm not entirely sure what your refering to here... certainly most of the various countries, semi-countries, defacto countries, principalities, free cities... etc, etc, etc that made up Mediaeval Europe (if there was such a thing) were "not exactly" free, but that certainly wasn't the main problem...

In many countries in Europe, your rights were basically taken away if you were a Jew.  Name one bigger enemy to freedom that had an impact legislated religion has. 
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dazzleman
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« Reply #54 on: July 27, 2005, 06:42:39 PM »

I am a center-right Republican conservative.

On social issues, I think that the greatest threat to our social cohesion, and ultimately our economic vitality, is the breakdown of the family structure.  For this reason, I cannot in good conscience be a social liberal and give my approval, in the name of freedom, rights, or what have you, to the type of behavior that is contributing to this problem.  I believe that illegitimacy is our number one social threat, and that we need to oppose the idea that it is our right to indulge ourselves in any way we please, even if it hurts other people, particularly innocent children.  This is the end result of social liberalism, like it or not.

Economically, I am center-right.  I believe in progressive taxation to a point, but I don't think we should punish creation of wealth.  This hurts the poor more than it hurts the well-off. 

I believe it is in our self-interest to help the poor, and those who have not had a strong chance to become successful for whatever reason, in a constructive way.  I believe that many of the programs offered in this regard by liberals have been highly destructive, and that they should be judged by their results, not their intentions.

With respect to education, I believe that government should provide an escape hatch to those trapped in failing schools.  It is unrealistic to think that we can appreciably improve schools that serve communities with no parental support or family structure, and those who wish to receive an education should not be consigned to the toxic environment in schools located in such communities.

I believe that government interference in private lives should be minimal, and that the government's primary job should be maintaining security from both foreign and domestic enemies.  Therefore, I am tough on crime and a hawk on foreign policy.  I support capital punishment for murderers.

I am much more a realist than an idealist.  Policies should be judged by results, not intentions.  I believe that many things are counter-intuitive, and that ultimately cruelty is often dressed as kindness, and vice versa.  Sometime, policies described by liberals as tough and heartless are the kindest thing of all, just as soft liberal policies that are meant to be kind have sometimes resulted in unspeakable cruelty in practice.
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jokerman
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« Reply #55 on: July 27, 2005, 07:15:21 PM »

hmm, our social ideas are quite similiar.
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dazzleman
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« Reply #56 on: July 27, 2005, 07:20:59 PM »


That's why I was surprised when you said you would vote not to confirm me as a judge.
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Redefeatbush04
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« Reply #57 on: July 27, 2005, 07:37:14 PM »

Social IssuesGuns: Oppose banning of "assault weapons," rifles, or pistols.  Oppose waiting or cooling off periods.  Support the legality of fireworks year round.
Drugs: Support legality of marijuana and hard drugs for medicinal and recreational use.
Capital Punishment: Oppose the use of the death penalty for all circumstances.Marriage Issues: Preferably the government should get out of marriage and both gay and straight couples could get civil unions.  Oppose government recognition of incestuous marriage, bigamy, and polygamy, and strongly support cracking down on Mormon fundamentalist polygynous communities in Utah.  Fully opposed to the legalization of incest, first cousin or closer.
Abortion: Shouldn't be legal in any circumstances, same goes for infanticide or "post partum euthanasia" as some advocates like to call it.Gay Rights: See above for stance on civil unions/marriage.  Oppose sexual orientation being protected by civil rights laws (see below for stance on "hate crimes").  Undecided on gay adoptions.  Fully support allowing gay people to serve in the military openly-- in the words of Barry Goldwater (paraphrasing), "It doesn't matter how straight you are to be in the military as long as you can shoot straight."Hate Crimes: If a white man murders a black man, it should be treated as any other murder.  Even if racism was the motivating factor behind the murder, the crime should not be weighted more because of that, as racism is protected by free speech.  Oppose hate crimes legislation in regards to race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, or any other factors.
Hate Speech: Oppose any efforts to limit "hate speech."  Certainly freedom of speech shouldn't be illegal; why make an exception because someone criticizes a race or religion?Racial Profiling: Strongly opposed.Affirmative Action: Strongly opposed, for both race- and class-based affirmative action.  I also oppose racial or sex quotas for workplaces or schools.Flag Burning: There's no reason to ban this.  The amendment is a waste of time and a threat to our civil liberties.
PATRIOT Act: Strongly opposed.  Again, a threat to our civil liberties that is being disguised as an effort to stop terrorism.  I don't want to know what business Bush has with my library records, and frankly he shouldn't be able to look at them.
Gambling: Legalize it.Prostitution: Opposed to legalization.Smoking: Very opposed to efforts to ban smoking in "public" workplaces or restaraunts.  It should be up to the owner of the restaraunt whether or not people can smoke cigarettes in his building.Alcohol: Lower the drinking age to 18 (and lowered to 12 with parental supervision).  It's ridiculous that some American citizens can go to war but not drink alcohol.
Female Toplessness: Support its legalization in public areas like parks and buildings owned by the government.  For non-federal businesses it should be up to the owner of the business, as should the rest of the dress code.  Full nudity could be legal in designated in areas such as nude beaches, but not in all parks or other public places.Immigration: Support looser restrictions on immigration and amnesty for "illegal aliens."  However, I support making English the United States' official language.Euthanasia: Opposed to the legalization of physician assisted suicide and euthanasia.  By the way, I should probably make clear the difference between the two: physician assisted suicide is when you ask the doctor for a lethal prescription and he gives it to you; euthanasia is when the doctor helps your suicidal attempt by exposing you to poison gas (much like you would do to a criminal) or putting a bag over your head to suffocate you.  The other type of euthanasia, where you exterminate people without their consent (say, due to a disease), should be illegal, of course-- that goes without saying.Voting: All citizens should be able to vote, including criminals and ex-criminals.  It should also be easier for an immigrant to acquire a citizenship so that his right to vote is not infringed.  I also support lowering the voting age to 16.Presidential Qualifications: Get rid of the rule that says only people born in America can be President; it's unnecessary and discriminatory.  Property Rights: That recent Supreme Court case where the liberals on the court came up with some imaginary law that renders the government Communist was one of the greatest invasions of freedom that the United States has seen in recent years.  Obviously, if you own a building, the government can't just take it over for its own purposes.Censorship: Basically opposed in general.  No federal regulation of TV programs, video games, music albums, etc.  Internet wise, the only thing that comes to mind that they should really crack down on is child pornography, and that is finding out the source of the material and giving them one hell of a punishment.  Strongly opposed to Internet filtering in public schools and libraries.
Pornography: Only depicting consenting adults 18 and over; people 16 and over should be able to purchase it.
Term Limits: Oppose term limits on presidency (means repealing that amendment), Congressmen, and Governors (though the last should be decided by each state).
EconomicsFarm Subsidies: Support.
The Arts: Are you kidding?  No reason for the government to fund this stuff.  Some advocates of this, like Congressman Dennis Kucinich, say that the arts help strengthen the community, but it sounds like a pretty sissy excuse to me to spend taxpayer money during a deficit so that some guy can paint a picture of a triangle and call it "abstract art."Worker's Rights: I'm kind of rightwing on this one, I'll admit it.  An employer should be able to fire an employee when he wants, and it should be totally up to him who he decides to employ, not up to some "Fair Employment" committee that tells him he needs to have at least 15% of his workers be of a minority background.  However, I do support a minimum wage as one safeguard, preferably around $8/hr.  However, food and accomodation should be able to be part of a minimum wage if an employer wants, and if he were able to factor that into the eight dollars or better an hour in a satisfactory way, he should be able to do it.Departments: No more of them.  And abolish the Homeland Security and Education departments while we're at it, possibly some other ones too.  It's ridiculous how many of these we have.Socialized Medicine: Socialized healthcare should be available for those under 18 as they are not personally responsible for their parents' financial situation.  Emergency operations for adults should also be federally funded, but I mean stuff that you need in order to keep living, not something like braces, a nose job, or Viagra.Education: I'm not a fan of public education, I'll admit.  I think individual communities should have more control over what's taught in their schools.  As stated above, I advocate abolishing the Department of Education as it's a huge money waster.  Classroom attendance definitely shouldn't be compulsory.
Faith Based Initiatives: It sounds like a good idea at first, for churches to provide welfare services, but I have examined the issue closer and it's not satisfactory.  Churches are not able to preach any religious content, so from a Christian point of view, it is a violation of freedom of speech and religion, and from a liberal point of view, sanctioning religious welfare is discrimination against people who are not religious.  On the welfare issue as a whole, I am leftwing, and believe it should stay in the hands of the government, not churches (assuming that these restrictions on preaching to those who are served by the churches stay).Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Fully opposed to the funding of this, as well as being morally and ethically opposed to the research itself.Social Security: Undecided.  Both the left and right have good arguments on this one and I'm not really inclined either way.  Anyone care to convince me why their view is the best?Space: Support federal funding of missions, exploration, etc.
Foreign Policy
Weapon Treaties: Support treaties against chemical, nuclear, and biological weapons.
Iraq: I opposed the invasion, but now that we're there we'd better stay until we can clean this thing up.  Of course, we'll need to provide adequate services for our Veterans who come home with no place to go.United Nations: The United States should not pull out.  But no, we should not need the approval of the United Nations to go to war-- though it would be nice.  But if we don't have their approval, that shouldn't stop us if we actually have to go to war for a valid reason.
damn man. we agree on almost everything. I agree with you more than i disagree with you on 35 of 38 topics. a few differences:
1. physician assisted suicide should be legal (if patient is consenting)
2. prostitution should be legal but government regulated
3. hard drugs such as crack and LSD should not be legal for recreational use
4. i agree that we need to cut back on departments but disagree that we need to eliminate all of them
5. education.....i like our public schools (despite going to private schools). I also think that the government should fund higher education. 6. Stem cell research - I am morally torn but believe that it helps more than it harms. 7. guns: certain guns should be banned such as those that pierce bullet proof vests + machine guns
PS: sorry bout the compactness i ran out of room
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Max Power
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« Reply #58 on: July 27, 2005, 07:58:13 PM »
« Edited: July 27, 2005, 09:36:58 PM by Casey Reese »

Using Emsworth's List
Social Issues

General philosophy: Moderate-Liberal-Libertarianism

Separation of church and state: I strongly support the seperation of church and state, but oppose removing 'under god' from the pledge and 'in god we trust' from coins.

Freedom of speech: I strongly support a freedom of speech, and I oppose movie and video game ratings, and CD warning labels.

Right to an abortion: I support an absolute right to an abortion.

Affirmative action: Very strongly oppose

Gun rights: Support with a few restrictions, but mostly a states' rights issue.

Civil unions or gay marriage: I support gay marriage 103.637%

Euthanasia: Undecided, but lean towards support.

Prostitution: Support legalization 101.12%.

Capital punishment: Unconstitution as 'cruel and unusual punishment'. So oppose with the exception of Terrorists, and child murders like the one in George W. Bush's article.

Economic Issues

General philosophy: Capitalism.

Employers and Employees: I support allowing people to sue employers for firing them based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. I also support allowing employers to sue workers for the same, except replace firing with harrassing.

Taxation: Flat tax around 15%. 5% for the poorest people.

Spending: Cut spending on meaningless programs, spend less on welfare, absolutely eliminate farming subsidies.

Free trade: Support 102.45637%.

Funding of the space program: Support.

Foreign policy

General philosophy: Hawkish Dove

Iraq: Opposed do to the fact that now we see the reasons for going there were lies.

Neoconservatism: What do you mean?
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nini2287
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« Reply #59 on: July 27, 2005, 08:22:35 PM »

Updated list

Social Issues

General philosophy: Pretty much issue-by-issue

Separation of church and state: Compelete separation.  No public displays of religion (10 commandments, school prayer, etc.)

Freedom of speech: I believe in the right to publish whatever but with strict adherance to movie, TV and video game ratings.

Right to an abortion: Oppose in all cases except to save the mother's life.

Affirmative action: Oppose it in the workplace (esp. government), support limited affirmative action on college campuses for diversity purposes.

Gun rights: Should be left up to the states, or in some cases (like Pennsylvania) local or county level.

Civil unions or gay marriage: I personally strongly support gay marraige and am undecided on whether it should be determined on a state level or not.

Euthanasia: Support in the case of an explicitly stated living will, otherwise oppose.

Prostitution: Keep illegal

Capital punishment: Unconstitutional.  Illegal on all grounds.

Economic Issues

General philosophy: Progressive capitalism.

Employers and Employees:Employers should have the right to fire an employee for whatever reason they want outside of race.  Employers must recognize the right of employees to unionize.

Taxation: Income tax should be slightly more progressive.

Spending: Cut excess internal government spending.  Oppose most other cuts except for purely bureaucratic programs that serve no purpose.

Free trade: Support only to developed countries.

Funding of the space program: Continue to fund.

Foreign policy

General philosophy: Cautious peacelover

Iraq: I was always opposed to the war with and without hindsight.  However, now that we are in Iraq we cannot leave and allow Iraq to become a terrorist haven.  No timetable should be set for withdrawal.  If absolutely necessary, there should be a draft.

Neoconservatism: Formerly opposed, but starting to understand it a bit more.  Still disagree but ask me again in a year.
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Max Power
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« Reply #60 on: July 27, 2005, 08:35:00 PM »

damn man. we agree on almost everything.
We need to give ourselves a new political category. Wink  Not quite populist, not quite libertarian.  What do you think?
Poputarian?
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MHS2002
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« Reply #61 on: July 27, 2005, 09:02:56 PM »
« Edited: August 11, 2006, 01:19:49 PM by MHS2002 »

I think I'll update this as well:

Social Issues

General philosophy: Lean Conservative

Abortion: Strongly oppose in all cirumstances.

Separation of Church and State: There should not be an established religion, however I don't support the total separation of church and state. A local city hall that has a nativity scene should be allowed to keep such a scene up.

Marriage: Oppose any changes to the definition of marriage as it stands today. Oppose FMA. Would consider civil unions for homosexual couples or government out of marriage altogether. Unsure on how to vote on VA constitutional amendment in November.

Affirmative Action: Oppose for the most part.

Gun Control: Oppose for the most part, support 2nd Amendment.

Death Penalty: Support keeping it legal but the death penalty should be administered in only the most serious of circumstances.

Censorship: Some restrictions on public TV/radio waves, little restriction on pay TV/radio. Support some filtering of the internet at public schools and libraries.

Flag burning: Opposed to a law/amendment to ban flag burning

Hate crimes: Opposed to hate crimes legislation.

Hate speech: Generally opposed to hate speech legislation, although if you get your a** kicked, it happens.

Smoking: Opposed to laws that restrict where and when a person can smoke. This is a decision to be left up to the owner and the consumer.

Alcohol consumption: Support lowering the age to 19.

Euthanasia: Oppose legalization of euthanasia.

Drugs: Oppose legalization in general, willing to accept legalization of marajuana but little else.

Gambling: Support its legalization.

Prostitution: Oppose its legalization.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Oppose for the most part, if someone makes a good argument I might change my mind.

Immigration: Support increasing the ease with which skilled and unskilled immigrants can enter the country, provided they have no criminal record. Those who enter illegally should be sent back.


Economic Issues

General Philosophy: Conservative for the most part

Taxes: Top rate should be about 35%. Make deficit cuts a priority before tax cuts right now.

Unions: Support right to work laws.

Free trade: Support in almost all circumstances.

Spending: Cut unnecessary/wasteful/pork-barrel spending, cut farm subsidies, cut Medicare drug benefit, reform Medicare and Medicaid as a whole before they get out of hand. Wouldn't mind starting the whole budgetary process from scratch to be honest.

Social Security: Support some privatization measures.

Workers' Rights: Oppose the government telling business who they can and can not hire and fire. If you're fired for any reason other than poor performance, your employers will inevitably suffer and the market will give them what they deserve.

Space Program: Would support funding the thing if it was shown there was some use from the program.

Welfare: Temporary safety net in place for those that inevitably fall on hard times. Anyone receiving welfare should either be working or looking for a job.

Healthcare: Support basic healthcare for the young (i.e. those that can't help their financial situation), support some sort of healthcare "safety net" for the elderly and the poor, opposed to Medicare drug benefit, opposed to spending money on things like Viagra.

Education: Support vouchers for low-income students, support educational decisions made at the local level, not by some bureaucrat in D.C.


Foreign Issues

General Philosophy: #1 goal should be the protection of American citizens. However, U.S. should make efforts to assist other countries when it is feasible.

Democracy and Trade: Democracies that engage in economic trade rarely go to war with one another, would support efforts to make this a reality.

Anti (fill in the blank) Treaty: Support for chemical/biological, oppose for nuclear

United Nations: Reform, don't leave the United Nations. U.N. is a fairly inefficient body as well.

Iraq: Support then, support now. Don't leave until the job is 100% complete.

Israel: Strong supporter of Israel.
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ilikeverin
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« Reply #62 on: July 27, 2005, 09:06:17 PM »

Overall Philosophy: Characterised by general irrationality.  Generally holds position because they're 'nice' or 'right', not because they're 'correct' or 'rational'.  Stubbornly clings to positions in spite of evidence to the contrary.  Positions are not typically as in depth as it would appear.  Most likely does not have a single original idea; instead, he picks and chooses things from other people that he likes and attempts to fashion something from them.

Social Issues

General philosophy: Social Liberal, not Libertarian.

Separation of church and state: It's a good thing! Smiley  'Under God' should remain in the pledge, though, and if someone wants to substitute 'Under Allah' or 'Under Satan' or 'Under The Supreme Waffle Kitten' or even 'Under The Sky', that's fine and dandy.  'In God We Trust' should remain on money because no one cares what's on their money, just that they have the money Tongue

Freedom of speech: It's good?  Not much else to say.  Could you provide specific examples?

Right to an abortion: First two trimesters good Smiley  third trimester bad Sad except for rape, incest, or health of the mother or child/fetus/whatever.

Affirmative action: Mostly oppose, switch to class-based AA, I think.  Something.  It shouldn't be as major as it is.

Gun rights: EVIL! Tongue  I oppose ownership of the majority of firearms.  I mean the vast majority.  Hunting stuff only, and even then I oppose the barbaric slaughter of animals except for food or thinning the herd if it's for their own good.

Civil unions or gay marriage: Civil unions for all.  Marriage is a religious affair.

Euthanasia: Leaning towards support, but I'm mostly neutral.

Prostitution: No legalization.  Focus on prosecuting pimps, not the prostitutes.

Capital punishment: Abolish entirely.  And, yes, that means everything, even <insert child molester/rapist/murderer/terrorist here>

Economic Issues

General philosophy: Mainstream liberal; some goliath government programs created, but I mostly oppose state-owned business.

Employers and Employees: Err...

Taxation: Progressive income tax, 0% for the poorest, I think, and something like 30% for the richest.  That OK?

Spending: Nationalised healthcare good.  Public educaiton good.  It's good to absolutely gut pork from budgets, and I think most administration would be streamlined and made more efficient.

Free trade: Neutral; I think it'd be great in an ideal world but sometimes you need controls.

Funding of the space program: Excellent for new scientific advances.  Could we make it less cumbersome, somehow?

Foreign policy

General philosophy: Dove with a humanitarian interventionism streak

Iraq: Now that we're in there, we'd better stay for the long haul.  Otherwise, we'd just abandon Iraq to anarchy, and that wouldn't be good Sad

Neoconservatism: I support invading the nation of Neoconservatism Cheesy
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WalterMitty
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« Reply #63 on: July 27, 2005, 10:48:23 PM »

Social Issues

General philosophy: generally liberal

Separation of church and state: support.  however, the leftists have taken it to an extreme.

Freedom of speech: strongly support in all cases

Right to an abortion: i support keeping abortion legal

Affirmative action: support.

Gun rights: i favor sensible gun control measures.

Civil unions or gay marriage: strongly support gay marriage.

Euthanasia: i have mixed feelings

Prostitution: Keep illegal

Capital punishment: strongly oppose

Economic Issues

General philosophy: staunch capitalist

Employers and Employees:  the 'contract' between an employee and an employer is voluntary at both ends

Taxation: taxes should be kept as low as possible.  i strongly support abolishing the capital gains tax.  it is the most evil tax that exists.

Spending: cut all non-essential spending to the bone.  the government should only be involved in the essentials (ie defense)

Free trade: strongly, strongly, strongly support.

Funding of the space program: the space program should be privatized.

Foreign policy

General philosophy: generally a hawk.  i certainly support the idea of an american hegemony.

Iraq: strongly support.  next up: syria!

Neoconservatism: i tend to agree with the foreign policy objectives of neo-conservatism (i have a bit of a zionist streak myself).  however, the neo-conservative's acceptance of socialist economic policies is sickening.
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Nation
of_thisnation
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« Reply #64 on: July 28, 2005, 12:04:32 AM »

My attitude and personality is a bit more lewd/abrasive than my actions -- unless you get some alcohol in me.


Over time and up to this point, I'd say I subscribe to a generally capitalist economic philosophy. For the most part --- I support Bush's (attempted) reformation of social security, I support low taxes, and getting rid of useless social programs and the pork that goes with them.

I also believe the debt shouldnt get too high, for even if it's impact is overblown by some liberals, it must be considered and be dealt with.

The WTO/IMF I don't have a problem with. Free trade rocks.

When you cut taxes, you should probably cut spending as well.

I have a firm belief that strict constructionalists are the best fit for the supreme court -- people like Scalia and Rehnquist. However, if a president simply appoints a qualified candidate who has a strong understanding of the law, even if i dont agree with him on everything, ill support the candidate.

People shouldn't immediately look for any possible flaw with justices -- people who do that usually live their life in the same manner, and that's a bad way to live.

_________

That said, I believe that faith-based institutions should play a much more active role with government and charities -- I believe that Christians elected to public office have a RESPONSIBILITY to use their faith, and their beliefs in order to make government more efficient.

In Education, I believe that more money is generally a good thing for public schools, but when it becomes wasted -- it only hurts the very things it tries to help. Get the feds out of education. Repeal No Child Left Behind, and give control to education back where it belongs -- to the states, and to the local governments (even though local is where most corruption occurs, IMO)

I don't like abortion, and would NEVER encourage anyone close to me to get them. I wouldn't report them to those crazy Catholic "pregnancy crisis centers" or whatever, but I'd try and dissuade them from getting one.

They shouldn't be banned, but they should be left up to the voters of the states. Most liberal states (California, New York, probably even Florida) would legalize it anyway. I don't vote for politicians based off their abortion position anyway, which is why I respect people like Paul Sarbanes AND Rick Santorum.

I agree with WalterMitty on gun control. Sensible gun control is good -- which means VERY little gun control. Only that which is necsscary.

I could care less about gay marriage, when I think about it.

_____________

Foreign policy:

I am a moderate hawk in foreign policy. Iraq should have
 been used as a stepping stone in combating terrorism in multiple Middle Eastern countries --- instead, we're going to end up with an Iraqi civil war. This is why I do not like Bush, and this is why I stay a Democrat --- for now.

I believe in sensible defense measures though --- maintain our current spending on national security. Attack other countries only when we're gravely threatened, or when we undergo a promise to fight terrorism -- of course, the Bush administration managed to mangle that quite a bit, but whatever.

I'm a moderate Democrat, and that's how I plan to stay, unless they decide to keep f'ing up the party. Then I'll switch.
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Filuwaúrdjan
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« Reply #65 on: July 28, 2005, 09:24:39 AM »

In many countries in Europe, your rights were basically taken away if you were a Jew.

Rights? No one had many rights back then. Round here most people had a right to farm a little strip of land and let what animals they had run around on certain stretches of open ground (the latter is still a right in places and the Government is about to get a bill passed to help maintain those areas and make our rights to them secure). That's about it... the local Baron or other petty dictator could and did make most people work for him on his fields (this applied pretty much everyone) and some people (serfs) were as good as slaves.
Oppression of the Jews and other minority grounds (including early Protestants like the Lollards) was truely horrific, but the extent of which it was motivated by religion is debatable... it was really more the nasty c***'s that ran the show looking for scapegoats for all the huge problems the Mediaeval world had.

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Nazism. Communism. Totalitarianism in general.
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AuH2O
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« Reply #66 on: July 28, 2005, 10:00:22 AM »

Overall Political Philosophy: sort of eclectic mixture, most heavily influenced on the philosophical side by Oswald Spengler and George Santayana, though certainly I have respect for utility as a concept; I find Rawls distasteful. Politically my favorite is the venerable John Locke, a more recent example perhaps being Samuelson.

Issues

Social

I support:

- free speech

- drug legalization

- capital punishment

- right to keep and bear arms

- prostitution (in regulated zones)

- euthanasia (with regulation)

I oppose

- hate crimes or speech legislation

- affirmative action (including Title IX)

- gay marriage

- abortion

Economic

I support

- balanced budget amendment

- flat income tax or national sales tax

- right to work laws

- fairer trade... comparitive advantage matters, but so do strategic considerations if we let the Chinese abuse us

- greatly reduced federal spending

- more automony for the states

I oppose

- national healthcare

- national educational standards

- fees imposed by non-legislative agencies

Military/Foreign Policy

I support

- a strong military, but with fewer aircraft carriers, more light capital ships, more special forces, more space-based weapons development

- missile defense

- protecting Taiwan if attacked

- reduction in foreign aid

I oppose

- the invasion of Iraq (though I also oppose a hasty exit)

- the UN

- continued bias in favor of Israel
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nclib
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« Reply #67 on: July 29, 2005, 12:02:17 AM »

expanded views using Emsworth's list:

Social Issues

General philosophy: Liberalism.

Separation of church and state: I strongly support the separation of church and state, including removing 'under god' from the Pledge of Allegiance (actually oppose teacher-led readings of the Pledge)

Freedom of speech: I strongly support the ACLU's position on free speech

Right to an abortion: I support a woman's right to choose, including late-term abortion, and Medicaid funding if she cannot afford it

Affirmative action: Support AA, but oppose racial quotas

Gun rights: Increase restrictions on guns

Civil unions or gay marriage: Support gay marriage, though the issue should be left to the states

Euthanasia: Support, but only with clear consent

Prostitution: Legalize, but heavily regulate

Capital punishment: Unconstitutional as 'cruel and unusual punishment'.

Public nudity Generally allowed, with some restrictions. Female toplessness always allowed.

Gambling Allowed, but government shouldn't sanction it (i.e. lotteries)

War on Drugs Treat drug addiction as a public health issue. Decriminilize all drugs.

Economic Issues

General philosophy: Socialism.

Employers and Employees: Sexual orientation, along with race, religion, gender, disability, etc. should be protected from discrimination.

Taxation: Progressive tax. No tax for the poorest people. Up to 50% for the richest.

Spending: Greatly increase spending on social programs. Increase welfare and Social Security Disability Income.

Free trade: Some tariffs are necessary.

Funding of the space program: Support, but reduce funding.

Foreign policy

General philosophy: Dove

Iraq: Opposed from the beginning.

Neoconservatism: Oppose
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RBH
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« Reply #68 on: July 29, 2005, 12:36:42 AM »

Social Issues

General philosophy: Social Libertarian

Separation of church and state: I support the current constitutional wall between organized religion and the Government. I don't care too much about if "Under God" is in the pledge or what's on our coins, because it's not unconstitutional.

Freedom of speech: I support it in it's current constitutional status. I also feel the Internet is helping more people exercise that freedom.

Right to an abortion: The status quo works for me. The government should be more concerned about reducing unwanted pregnancies than trying to find ways to restrict abortions.

Affirmative action: Favor until it's unneeded. But, we should have a fair check of that sometime soon.

Gun rights: Support it. Handguns, Shotguns, Rifles. I don't care if you like guns and I won't stop you. We should do more to crack down on illegal sales.

Civil unions or gay marriage: Civil Unions, but in a way that is basically like Gay Marriage, but maybe the details can be worked out.

Euthanasia: Support if the person who is going to die clearly wants to die.

Prostitution: Leave that up to states.

Capital punishment: Support it if it's done responsibly. It's constitutional too, in my POV. We should make sure there are ways to prevent bias due to anything other than the manner of the crime.

Economic Issues

General philosophy: Compassionate Capitalism.

Employers and Employees: Employees shouldn't have to be harrassed. Basically, if they want to sue for discrimination or harassment, that's fine.

Taxation: Raise taxes on higher income brackets. Remove loopholes. Get enough to reduce the debt and deficit.

Spending: Spend responsibly and don't cut blindly.

Free trade: I support trade where we don't get screwed and where we don't screw others. I support free and fair trade.

Funding of the space program: I'm tempted by the idea of letting private groups run some sort of space business. Also, We should make sure our space program isn't wasting money and that it's safe.

Foreign policy

General philosophy: Fair but not Stupid

Iraq: Skeptical at first, Opposed now. We should remove all the troops if the Iraqi government wishes for it. We should also make sure they can deal with the terrorists and rebels in their nation. When it comes to Iraqi Democracy, I hope they can pull it off, but I suspect they may have another dictator within the next decade.

War on Terror: We should make sure that the number of people joining terrorists goes down. We should infiltrate and destroy terrorist groups. We should shut the backdoor and hammer them from the front. Bin Laden's terrorism is based on his personal interest and his personal grudges.
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dazzleman
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« Reply #69 on: July 29, 2005, 07:02:04 AM »

My attitude and personality is a bit more lewd/abrasive than my actions -- unless you get some alcohol in me.


Over time and up to this point, I'd say I subscribe to a generally capitalist economic philosophy. For the most part --- I support Bush's (attempted) reformation of social security, I support low taxes, and getting rid of useless social programs and the pork that goes with them.

I also believe the debt shouldnt get too high, for even if it's impact is overblown by some liberals, it must be considered and be dealt with.

The WTO/IMF I don't have a problem with. Free trade rocks.

When you cut taxes, you should probably cut spending as well.

I have a firm belief that strict constructionalists are the best fit for the supreme court -- people like Scalia and Rehnquist. However, if a president simply appoints a qualified candidate who has a strong understanding of the law, even if i dont agree with him on everything, ill support the candidate.

People shouldn't immediately look for any possible flaw with justices -- people who do that usually live their life in the same manner, and that's a bad way to live.

_________

That said, I believe that faith-based institutions should play a much more active role with government and charities -- I believe that Christians elected to public office have a RESPONSIBILITY to use their faith, and their beliefs in order to make government more efficient.

In Education, I believe that more money is generally a good thing for public schools, but when it becomes wasted -- it only hurts the very things it tries to help. Get the feds out of education. Repeal No Child Left Behind, and give control to education back where it belongs -- to the states, and to the local governments (even though local is where most corruption occurs, IMO)

I don't like abortion, and would NEVER encourage anyone close to me to get them. I wouldn't report them to those crazy Catholic "pregnancy crisis centers" or whatever, but I'd try and dissuade them from getting one.

They shouldn't be banned, but they should be left up to the voters of the states. Most liberal states (California, New York, probably even Florida) would legalize it anyway. I don't vote for politicians based off their abortion position anyway, which is why I respect people like Paul Sarbanes AND Rick Santorum.

I agree with WalterMitty on gun control. Sensible gun control is good -- which means VERY little gun control. Only that which is necsscary.

I could care less about gay marriage, when I think about it.

_____________

Foreign policy:

I am a moderate hawk in foreign policy. Iraq should have
 been used as a stepping stone in combating terrorism in multiple Middle Eastern countries --- instead, we're going to end up with an Iraqi civil war. This is why I do not like Bush, and this is why I stay a Democrat --- for now.

I believe in sensible defense measures though --- maintain our current spending on national security. Attack other countries only when we're gravely threatened, or when we undergo a promise to fight terrorism -- of course, the Bush administration managed to mangle that quite a bit, but whatever.

I'm a moderate Democrat, and that's how I plan to stay, unless they decide to keep f'ing up the party. Then I'll switch.

You don't sound much like a Democrat to me, man.  COME TOWARD THE LIGHT......Smiley
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Middle-aged Europe
Old Europe
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« Reply #70 on: July 29, 2005, 02:20:12 PM »

Social issues: In American terms... I´m probably liberal to very liberal. I strongly oppose the death penalty and I´m in favour of gay marriage and gun control. However, I do not particularly care about abortion rights or "affirmative action", which means I´m probably slightly in favour of it, but not that mad about it.

Economic issues: I´d say I´m bouncing back and forth between liberal and centrist, but generally center-left. Moderate socialist with some libertarian leanings. *lol*

Foreign policy issues: Uh, perhaps I would describe myself as an "pragmatic internationalist". I generally support my country´s  membership in the UN/NATO/EU etc. I´m slightly skeptical about military interventions, although I don´t rule it out as an option. I oppsed the war in Iraq, but the German troops in Afghanistan should stay there they are. I´m not a pacifist, isolationist, hawk, neo-con or follower of any other extremist ideology. Cheesy
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nclib
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« Reply #71 on: July 30, 2005, 06:44:30 PM »
« Edited: July 30, 2005, 06:50:41 PM by nclib »

What's your opinion on polygamy, bigamy, and incest, N.C. Liberal?

I am generally against polygamy and bigamy unless each partner considers themself married to all the other partners (i.e. one straight man and two bisexual women). Of course, this is a very small percent of polygamous relationships.

As far as incest goes, if consensual it should be legal, but marriages should not be recognized between relatives closer than first cousins.

What are your positions on those issues, Ebowed?
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Gustaf
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« Reply #72 on: July 30, 2005, 07:01:37 PM »

These things are summaries? Tongue

I believe in the rights and freedoms of the individual and the responsibility within a society towards your countrymen. Wink
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Democratic Hawk
LucysBeau
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« Reply #73 on: August 08, 2005, 08:30:51 AM »

In a nutshell:

Economics: Generally, left-of-centre - 'new' liberal/Keynesian (-4.38 on political compass); however, while I support progressive taxation, I don't believe in punitive taxation (minimum tax rate would be 5% and maximum 35%) and I favour balanced budgets

Social: Generally, mixed - but mildly populist (1.90 on political compass). Pro-life, pro-three strikes mandatory sentencing and pro-Second Amendment. Anti-death penality but take a states' rights position and pro-civil unions for same-sex couples (I oppose gay marriage) but take a states' rights position

Foreign: A committed 'Hawk' Wink. UN support for military action would be preferable but if not forthcoming, I support military action without UN

Dave
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Blerpiez
blerpiez
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« Reply #74 on: August 12, 2005, 02:47:19 PM »

Social Issues

General philosophy: Libertarianism

Separation of church and state: Support.  Don't care about pledge or coins, but important not to favor religions

Freedom of speech: Pro freedom of speech, including legal flag burning and legal "hate speech".

Right to an abortion: Support till viability outside womb, then only in special cases

Affirmative action: Oppose based on race, support based on economic need

Gun rights: Strongly Support

Civil unions or gay marriage: Support government only recognizing civil unions

Euthanasia: Support

Prostitution: Support legalization

Capital punishment: Oppose except for mass murder and terrorism

Economic Issues

General philosophy: Moderate

Employers and Employees: Support right to fire employees, except based on race and gender.  Unfortunatelysome will take advantage of this and claim a firing was race or gender-based, but this is good in principle

Taxation: Support progressive rate, happy with taxes as present

Free trade: Support.

Funding of the space program: Support presently, but could change based on other needs

Foreign policy

General philosophy: Realist

Iraq: Opposed because I didn't think the threat was enough to justify invasion.  If it had been more, I would have supported it.  Presently I believe we should stay in and send more troops if neccessary.

Thanks for whoever made this template
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