Straight Dope Message Board Political Survey

[Qin_Shi_Huangdi]

This form below will be a survey of Straight Dope Message Board members and their political opinions.

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Populist Conservative

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

Republican Party

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

5

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

Republic of Korea

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

Yes-we got in here we should finish the job.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Yes

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:

For now severe sanctions and maybe some airstrikes. If that doesn’t deter we should send troops, overthrow Sudan forcibly, and give independence to Darfur and South Sudan.

**What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:
**
Sanctions, blockades, anything but military action.

**What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:
**
Dokdo should certainly be given to the Republic of Korea and preferably Daemado too.

**What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:
**
It’s a great alliance and it should not only expand across Europe but become an Alliance For Democracy and include all free countries in the world.

**What should be done about Zimbabwe?:
**
Blockade them, some bombing runs. If Zimbabwe does collapse or if we have enough troops launch military action and hang Mugabe.

**What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:
**
Yes certainly. For now advisors and maybe US garrisons in major border towns and Mexican cities. Or just declare total war and execute every drug lord, drug farmer, and thug in Mexico on sight.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:

Yes, we did in the Barbary coast and the British did it in the rest of the world. We should also prop up a stable government there.
**
Economy**

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

Depends as long as it doesn’t cause long lines and waits which have caused Canadians to come over to the US.

**How should taxes be organized?:
**
Same as right now, maybe less tax rates for everyone from the filthy rich to the dirt poor if possible.

How should the recession be ended?

Tax cuts, less environmental regulation, more financial regulation, some stimulus plan.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

Yes although I’m afraid it may too much the current plan for a lot of useless stuff.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

Yes it will save jobs and ensue the greatness of American industry for another generation. Indeed GM and other US auto companies are doing well in the Third World such as Brazil.

**Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:
**
Preferable of course if it’s higher but due to the recession shouldn’t be raised now.

Do you support NAFTA?:

No I don’t, it hurts the American worker.

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

No I don’t. I support abortion being banned in all cases except if the mother’ life is in danger.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:

Support domestic partnerships, will grudgingly tolerate civil unions, and opposed to gay marriage.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

No only evolution should be taught. However Creationism/Intelligent Design can be mentioned once or twice as a religious belief.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

Violence restrictions are fine where it’s right now, profanity should have no regulations, sexuality might need a few more minor restrictions.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

Somewhat. Heavily taxed and age restriction for around 15.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

Voluntary prayer yes for all schools, require prayer for religious and homeschools.
**
What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:**

Yes and for first degree murder, treason, piracy, spying, and various indirect deaths (like killing people while drinking and driving)

**How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:
**
About where it’s now.

How should drugs be regulated?:

I think all drugs except marijuana should be banned and the latter should be heavily taxed.

**History
**
**Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:
**
Yes the South were a bunch of oligarchs revolting and commiting treason against the US of A. To quote Andrew Jackson “The Constitution…forms a government not a league…To say that any State may at pleasure secede from the Union is to say that the United States is not a nation.”

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
**
Yes it ended World War 2 saving both many Japanese and American lives and possibly as a good side-effect frightened the Soviets not to be so fanatical.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

Yes in bringing civilization and ending barbaric practices

**Was the American Revolution justified?:
**
Yes although I wished a more peaceful solution like the Albany Plan

[Canadjun]

Two things.

Remember, not all SDMB members are American.

That is WAY too long to go in Great Debates. How do you debate something like that?!

[Grey]

I think you kid yourself if that’s populist conservatism…that or your country is becoming bloody terrifying.

And yeah move to IMHO, or MPSIMS

[Scylla]

This belongs in, IMHO.
I will summon one of my moderator slaves to move this there for you.

[foolsguinea]

The foreign policy questions seemed really weird to me.

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Iconoclastic social democrat

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

[del]The Scorched Earth Party[/del] (just kidding) [del]The Green Party[/del] [del]The Democratic Party[/del] Screw it, I’ll start my own.

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

pistachio ice cream

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

I don’t think I favor anyone much. Maybe Haiti 'cos I know people there, but not really.

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

Define “support.” It was bad timing, entered through false pretenses, & we didn’t have the tools for the real mission. But yeah, we’re stuck there now.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Provisionally.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:

Organize & arm the refugees.

What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:

I used to think regíme decapitation would work, but W Bush proved me wrong.

What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:

I know nothing about this.

What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:

I’m not sure what NATO’s mission is now.

What should be done about Zimbabwe?:

Offer Mugabe aid with conditions. Build hospitals, schools, new distribution networks (locally owned). The condition would be a demand that he let them operate to build civil society.

What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:

US: Domestic gun interdiction, more cooperation with the Mexican police.
In Mexico, um, honestly fighting a war against a gang is not something I have expertise on.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:

Of course. Why would this be controversial?

Economy

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

There should be massive public investment in training medical professionals, as the free market doesn’t do this well.

I would like to see publicly funded emergency care (as the market does not ration this well–non-consensual demand side) & preventative care (an ounce of prevention being a pound of cure) for every American. So, yes.

How should taxes be organized?:

1. Highly progressive income tax rates.
   or
2. A flat income tax of ~60%, with a high negative income tax (gradually rising to 40% of the mean), & a progressive annual wealth tax from 2.5% (~$10 000 000 net worth) to maybe 10% (possibly more, for those who can buy & flip Africa before breakfast)

How should the recession be ended?

Tax increases (no, really), massive public investment.

Build new medical schools & colleges, subsidize tuition, etc. You want a middle class society? Then train a middle class.

Subsidized health care; negative income tax; in general get more purchasing power (real economic liberty) into the broad mass of society, so you have a broad consumer base.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

I suspect Krugman is right that it was too small, & I would have raised taxes rather than lowering them.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

Not unless they start building a more diverse fleet, including subcompact cars. GM is a stupid dinosaur.

Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:

Workers need to organize for actual profit-sharing, stocks, etc. Get in the ownership society, that’s the path to equality.

Do you support NAFTA?:

I provisionally support a free trade zone from Newfoundland to Guatemala. I don’t think the present law is perfect, but the idea is fine.

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

This is not the passionate “hot-button” or “core value” for me that it is for many. (I used to be obnoxiously opinionated about abortion; I think I’m now more educated & thus less knee-jerk about it.) I am willing to let the present pro-choice paradigm stand as per the desires of most Americans, because it works socially. In a society with laws against abortion, I would leave those alone in the main.

But I strongly support policies which allow medically indicated abortion. Not only abortions for the life or long-term health of the mother, but those in cases where the fetus is of dubious viability, should be permitted because the state should not prosecute merely dubious harm against the expert judgement of the physician.

Further, the right of the state to intervene on behalf of its national should not pertain until a well-defined point of “quickening.” Conception as this point is laughable. Prior to three months is iffy, lots of unknowns in the first trimester. Maybe 16 weeks gestation, as suggested by English Common Law.

Mostly, though, I believe in extensive pre-natal/obstetric education. We should be teaching about the ugly realities of pregnancy in every high school in the country.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:

This is weak tea. What about stoning buggers in the streets, that’s what I want to know! The social right is letting me down here!

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

As for controversial issues, critical thinking should be taught. As for biology, I think it’s responsible to teach the best science we have, which as far as I know is in a Stephen Jay Gould paradigm. If you can prove it wrong, more power to you.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

Does etc. include the internet?

Actually, I’m mainly okay with obscenity laws, so long as it’s a matter of restriction, not felonization (is that a word?).

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

For quality.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

If it would get the social-conservatives back into public schools & halt balkanization, I’d put formal prayer back in public schools. Yes, I’m a fascist prick.

What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:

It’s tough. I don’t think capital punishment is morally wrong, but I do think it’s often better to leave the worst offenders (& most likely to draw death) alive for historians to interview. T. McVeigh, C. Manson, O. Bin Laden, etc.

I would say capital punishment is acceptable in cases of murder (not manslaughter), repeated violent rape, certain crimes against nature (by which I mean actual crimes against nature, like large-scale poisoning of a river or something). Note I don’t say treason; that’s a political crime, my historians will want to talk to you. Nor desertion :eek:–self-preservation may be better than following orders, so let’s wait until the war is well over to judge that, OK?

How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:

Licensing, registration, separate permits for subsets of gun use, like concealed carry, high-powered rifles, etc. But on a shall-issue basis.

How should drugs be regulated?:

By the FDA, innit? (OK, I know what you meant, but, yeah, still.)

History

Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:

No. Not for secession as such. But Nat Turner & John Brown were right, & the war was really the culmination of their assault on slavery.

Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:

Maybe. Nagasaki, maybe not. I don’t want to see it happen again.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

Ask an indigenous Tasmanian & get back to me.

Was the American Revolution justified?:

Well, I like Tom Paine’s theories, but no, not really.

[BrainGlutton]

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Progressive

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

Working Families Party

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

7. 8 if he brings home something that can reasonably be called UHC.

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

Tie between Canada, Britain and France

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

Bad idea to begin with; not a bad idea to stay so long as we don’t stay past 2012.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Good idea to begin with; now, cutting and running might be the most sensible and humane option.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?

Probably not. Direct intervention won’t make things better, and economic sanctions always fall hardest on those already suffering worst.

What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:

Pull all troops back from the DMZ, pointing up the fact that we don’t even need them there. NK can take no aggressive action that is not suicide and Kim Jong Il knows it.

What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:

Why is this even on the list?!

What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:

No. The European Union should have its own independent shared military force. If America wants to be involved, we should join the European Union outright (they’d have to change the name, but that’s a detail), and bear exactly the same political relationship to it as every other member state.

What should be done about Zimbabwe?:

Nothing. Mugabe’s dysfunctional regime is no threat to anyone beyond his own borders. There are dictatorships all over the world of which the same is true – on what basis should we intervene in Zimbabwe and not, say, Burma/Myanmar?

What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:

Nothing. If we can’t control smuggling across our own borders, we have no business stepping across them.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:

Somali pirates are mosquitoes – a nuisance, not a threat. Naval escorts for merchant shipping that has to go near Somalia should be sufficient protection.

Economy

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

Yes, preferably single-payer. N.B.: The health insurance companies are the enemy and should not have a seat at the table.

How should taxes be organized?:

Openly redistributive and sharply, progressively indexed to income/assets, including the Social Security payroll tax.

How should the recession be ended?

By building now, while we still can, for a near future in which cheap petroleum will no longer exist. We can hope for alternative technologies to adequately substitute, but we should not assume they will be developed soon enough, or at all. Put the money into public works projects, specifically electric-powered (and yes, I do mean ultimately nuclear-powered) streetcars, light rail, commuter rail and high speed rail. Strongly encourage high-density mixed-use construction and prepare the bulldozers for the sprawlburbs.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

So far as it goes (which is not nearly far enough), except that it enriches too many of the people who got us into this mess.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

Only so long as they are not allowed to continue making cars the way they have been making them.

Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:

No; and it is a proven lie that raising it increases unemployment.

Do you support NAFTA?:

Dubious. If we must have such a thing, its terms should be determined by a directly elected NAFTA parliament of some form, not by interested corporations at a bargaining table.

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

No restrictions.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:

Yes, because there is no good reason whatsoever not to.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

Only mentioned, by way of illustrating the social fact of controversy; not as theories with any kind of scientific statusor value.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

Nah.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

Why is this even on the list?!

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

We’ll have it so long as there are tests, but let each student do it separately and in his/her own way.

What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:

I think people on both sides of the issue give capital punishment much more attention than it deserves.

How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:

The way they do in Britain and Japan.

How should drugs be regulated?:

The way they do in the Netherlands. Or maybe not that strict.

History

Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:

Yes. Not only because of the slavery issue, but because democratic government was a new thing in the modern world, very few states worldwide were democracies, and the self-destruction of the most important one of all might discredit the whole experiment.

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
**

Yes. Considering that the Allies, after that many years at war, were resolved to settle nothing less than total victory over all Axis powers, and considering that the Japanese government was drilling all civilians of both sexes as a militia for a last-ditch defense against a ground invasion, and considering that they had not enough firearms to go around and were drilling with spears, I’d say the bombings killed fewer Japanese than any other conceivable course of events would have.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

No – except retroactively by the existence of successful post-colonial states like the U.S.; but not in any terms that could ethically have been argued when the whole things started.

Was the American Revolution justified?:

Yes, even though the tyranny of the British government over the colonies was greatly exaggerated. What the Americans feared was once they lost the political independence which they had long enjoyed under “benign neglect,” they would soon lose their socioeconomic independence as well, and be reduced to tenant farmers of English absentee landlords – as already had happened to the peoples of Ireland and Scotland. And it was indeed a prospect much to be feared. But a constitutional settlement that would have allowed British America to be autonomous under the British Crown – perhaps under an Imperial Parliament with members from, and sovereign over, both the colonies and the UK – would have been better still. If anyone at the time could have mustered that much political imagination.

[Terraplane]

This was really long and far ranging and if I gave everything the thought it deserved I’d be working on it all week. But for the result of an hour or so of work I think it should be relatively accurate for me.

General:
What do you identify yourself politically as?:
Democratic Socialist.

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:
Democratic Party.

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:
6. For a frame of reference, I’d list the last handful of presidents as…
Nixon - 1 (imagine that!)
Ford - 3
Carter - 4
Reagan - 2
Bush I - 4
Clinton - 5
Bush II - 1

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:
I really can’t answer this. There are a lot of foreign countries that I like a lot, I just don’t know that I can pick one over the other.

Foreign Policy
Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:
No, you shouldn’t ask the bull to put back together the broken shards of china strewn about the shop.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:
Yes.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:
At the least able and competent troops defending and supplying the refugee camps. Ideally a truly international UN force with some actual teeth performing peacekeeping operations throughout the country.

What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:
Sanctions, blockades, anything but military action. (Stole this from the OP)

What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:
I wasn’t aware of this dispute before now and I don’t think I have enough information to form an opinion on it.

What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:
The more countries involved in NATO the better.

What should be done about Zimbabwe?:
I don’t know what the fix is here.

What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:
Legalize drugs.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:
I have a surprising amount of sympathy for the pirates in this case as they have the misfortune to live in one of the worst countries on the planet. With that kind of desperation I can see anything, even theft, as a tempting alternative. But we can’t just let them succeed or they wont stop. I do support military intervention as well as a rigid no negotiation rule. Meanwhile I’d love to see something done to try to pull Somalia out of its current state of practical anarchy.

Economy
Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:
Absolutely. This sums it up pretty well for me.

How should taxes be organized?:
Considerably heavier tax rates for the rich. The rates they pay now are peanuts compared to what they had to pay in the relatively recent past. Slightly higher taxes on the middle class, working class and lower class stay about the same.

How should the recession be ended?
I am confident that what’s being done now will end the recession eventually. I think with such a huge drop in the economy there is nothing anybody could do that would pull us out of it in a short while and I’m honestly impressed that they managed to stop the bleeding as fast as they did. I really thought it would be worse. I would like to see a lot of new financial regulation and oversight to ensure that what happened to cause this recession can’t happen again.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:
Yes.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:
Grudgingly, yes. I hate to see idiocy rewarded but it would hurt too many innocent people to let them collapse. At the top level though heads need to roll, these people offered negative value to the companies and led them into failure. They are not valuable.

Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:
It should at least be a living wage. A life without much luxury, sure, but if you work 40 hours you should at the least be able to support yourself.

Do you support NAFTA?:
Yes.

Social/Moral
Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:
I don’t think an early term abortion is any worse than having a mole removed and I think a late term abortion is really distasteful and immoral. I also don’t think my feelings on this give me a right to tell a woman what she can and can’t do with her own body. I support abortion and oppose any restrictions placed on it.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:
I support gay marriage though ideally the government should get out of the marriage business entirely.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:
No only evolution should be taught. However Creationism/Intelligent Design can be mentioned once or twice as a religious belief. (Stealing the OP’s answer again)

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:
I’m fine with violence and profanity restrictions. I think there should be a lessening of restrictions on sexuality. Seeing boobs never hurt anybody. Ever.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:
Anybody that wants it should be able to get it, any age. If you can demonstrate that you can’t afford it there should be a system in place that allows you access to it for free.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):
If students want to pray nobody should stop them. If they don’t nobody should force them. If the school administration tries to game this system with a “I can’t make you pray but if you want to do it at 10:00am every morning I think it would be really great!” kinda thing they should be exiled to a small island with an active volcano.

What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:
I oppose it no matter what the circumstances.

How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:
I have a problem with cities passing laws that make it effectively impossible to own a handgun. If you are not a felon and do not have a history of potentially dangerous mental illness you should be able to own a shotgun or semi-auto handgun or rifle without limit. I am ok with the requirement of a license of some sort for concealed carry so long as the requirements for obtaining that license are very basic, i.e. proving that you are not a felon, do not have a history of potentially dangerous mental illness, and a proficiency course proving that you can hit the side of a barn.

How should drugs be regulated?:
Legalize drugs.

**History
**
Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:
Yes. For a cause more righteous than slavery I might have sided with the South but to break up our nation simply for the right of some to continue the commission of a literal and unambiguous atrocity is in my opinion foolish and wrong and would have resulted in greater evil over the long term.

Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
I think we were justified but I still wish we hadn’t done it. I think a blockade would have taken longer but achieved the same result.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:
No.

Was the American Revolution justified?:
Yes.

[Argent_Towers]

Fine, I’ll play.

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Someone who wishes he was monarch of America so he could make everything exactly how he wanted it

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

Neither

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

7

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

Switzerland

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

No.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

No.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:

No.

**What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:
**
We should try to be as friendly to North Korea as possible, accept the fact that they’re going to have a nuclear bomb and find ways to cooperate them. We have far more common ground with North Korea than we do with Islamic theocracies. Any enemy operating from a religious viewpoint is going to be far more dangerous than a secular one.

**What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:
**Don’t know, don’t care.

**What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:
**
It should be dissolved.

**What should be done about Zimbabwe?:
**
Zimbabwe never should have been created. Rhodesia never should have been thrown to the dogs. Mugabe and his entire government should be deposed. All of the white Rhodesians who were kicked out by Mugabe should be repatriated to their land, given their farms back, and an independent Rhodesian state should be restored.

**What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:
**
The United States should completely legalize all drugs. This would eliminate a large portion of the Mexican Drug War.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:

Merchant vessels should be armed so they can deal with pirates themselves.
**
Economy**

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

Yes, there should be.

**How should taxes be organized?:
**
There should be no income tax, and a 50% tax on gasoline.

How should the recession be ended?

A crash program similar to the Manhattan Project to make America completely energy-independent.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

Yes.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

They should, with the condition that they be FORCED to create only hybrid fuel vehicles, electric and hydrogen cars and other vehicles that use as little gasoline as possible.

**Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:
**
Yes.

Do you support NAFTA?:

No.
Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

Abortion should not only be completely legal but it should be encouraged. There are far too many people in this country, and anything to cut down on that would be a good thing. Abortion curtails the growth of a social underclass stuck in a self destructive cycle of poverty.
Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:

Gay marriage, full rights same as heterosexuals.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

Only evolution should be taught.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

No restrictions whatsoever.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

Completely unregulated.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

No.
**
What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:**

I support death by hanging or firing squad after ONE appeal, for murder, rape, armed robbery and treason. Larceny, burglary, and other more minor crimes should carry a 25 year minimum with no parole - WITH the option of being deported permanently to a third-world country.

**How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:
**
Not at all.

How should drugs be regulated?:

Not at all. It should be legal to possess, create and sell any type of drug.

**History
**
**Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:
**
Yes, of course they were.

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
**
It had to be done, but it was a great tragedy of history as is the following proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

Yes, I am an advocate of colonialism. The former European colonies in Africa have proven just how well they can manage themselves without the colonial powers in charge. Colonizing them wasn’t the mistake, LEAVING was the mistake.

**Was the American Revolution justified?:
**
It was, especially because by proving to the British that we were a nation of fighters, we earned their respect and cooperation, eventually becoming their closest ally.

[Larry_Borgia]

What the heck.

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Moderate Liberal

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

Democratic Party

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

7

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

I don’t know what this means. There are certain specific things other countries do that I wish we would emulate. I’d like to see us have a health care system as good as the French. But overall I favor the USA. I have a certain fondness for Turkey, having lived there for a chunk of my childhood, but I haven’t been back in decades.

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

I didn’t support the invasion, but I think our withdrawl should be slow and prudent.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Yes, though we really let the situation get out of hand. i hope it’s still salvageable, but I’m afraid it might not be.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:

I’d support a multinational intervention. We can’t do it alone.

**What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:
**
Negotiation and watchfulness. Military action is not warranted at this time. Hopefully it won’t ever be.

**What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:
**
The Empire of Japan has not existed since 1945. Japan is a constitutional Monarchy where the power resides with the prime minister and the diet. Other than that I don’t care about the dispute and I think it’s completely unimportant.

**What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:
**
I think NATO should not expand. I don’t see what good that would do other than to pointlessly rile up the Russians. I think it needs to reevaluate its mission, possibly as a sort of mini-UN for western democracies. It could also serve as a multinational force for humanitarian interventions, such as in Darfur. I think US ground forces should largely leave Europe.

**What should be done about Zimbabwe?:
**
Diplomacy and humanitarian aid. I don’t see what else we can do that would be worth it to the US in terms of blood and treasure.

**What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:
**
Leagalize marijuana and cocaine. Problem solved.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:

Again, the cure would be worse than the disease. Naval patrols and possibly armed escorts are the only thing we really can do.
**
Economy**

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

Yes

**How should taxes be organized?:
**
Pretty much the same as they are now, though I’m sure some things could be tweaked.

How should the recession be ended?

Drastically reform the financial sector. Huge oversight and regulation, with a temporary nationalization of the worst offenders. It won’t get us out of the mess we’re in now, but it will help prevent it from happening again. Simon Johnson had an excellent article in the May Atlantic if you’re interested.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

More or less, but I’d like to see a firmer hand taken with the financial sector. Again, the johnson article I mentioned above is very interesting.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

Yes, though I’m not happy about it. Again, if we give you money you give us the right to have oversight.

**Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:
**
I’m honestly not sure.

Do you support NAFTA?:

Yes. It creates more jobs than it costs and benefits the economy. I think there should be some help for those who’ve been hurt by it.

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

I support the right to an abortion for any reason. I personally disapprove of using abortion as a form of birth control, but I think it should be legal. I think better access to contraception and better sex education would reduce the number of abortions in this country.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:

Support gay marriage

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

Only evolution should be taught in science class. ID can be discussed in history, politics and philosophy classes.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

I don’t mind the airwaves being regulated since they are public property leased to businesses and individuals. In general I’m against censoreship. I don’t theink children will be affected at all by seeing Janet Jackson’s breast for a few seconds.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

No more than any other OTC or perscription medication.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

If a kid wants to pray, who’s going to stop them? Who’s even going to know? But schools should absolutely not have officially sponsored prayers.
**
What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:**

The state should not have that power.

**How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:
**
The current system is fine. I don’t really care. I do think that people should be allowed a gun to defend themselves, if they desire one.

How should drugs be regulated?:

Most drugs should be legal. The only ones I wouldn’t legalize would be meth, PCP, and maybe Heroin. Even with those I’d send offenders to mandatory rehab, rather than jail.

**History
**
**Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:
**
Yes, absolutely.

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
**
Yes. It was horrible but an invasion or a protracte blockade/ bombardment would have been worse for everybody.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

No. Its consequences have been horrible.

**Was the American Revolution justified?:
**
Yes.

[Roland_Orzabal]

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Civil Libertarian

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

Unknown. Used to be the Libertarians, but these days the disgruntled Republican anti-tax wingnut count is too high for my tastes. Hard to find a party whose primary concern is social liberalism.

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

7. Nothing amazing, but to the best of my knowledge he hasn’t gotten anyone killed for no reason, so that’s a plus.

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

Canada, but that doesn’t mean much; it’s the only other country I have direct personal experience with.

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

Nope.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Well, I supported a military operation; the specifics are outside the scope of this poll. Take that as you will.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:

No.

**What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:
**
Don’t know enough about it to comment.

**What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:
**
Don’t know enough about it to comment.

**What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:
**
I approve of NATO and would support its expansion.

**What should be done about Zimbabwe?:
**
Militarily, nothing. Not only is America not the world’s police force, but I’m not a fan of deciding to go kill people on general principle.

**What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:
**
Directly and/or militarily, nothing. I do, however, support U.S. legalization of controlled substances, which I rather suspect would decrease organized crime’s involvement in the drug trade.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:

Don’t know enough about it to comment.
**
Economy**

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

Yes, there should, as long as the right to practice and purchase private health care remains unrestricted.

**How should taxes be organized?:
**
I believe in a progressive tax system like the one we have today, but that (massive oversimplification follows) there should be a single tax based not upon income, but formula that determines How Much Money You Have. Such a thing would be complex, to be sure, but at least a couple orders of magnitude less so than our current tax code, and with the added benefit of getting rid of shelters. If goods and services are going to be taxed, they should be taxed at a uniform rate; it’s not for the government to decide what is and is not a “vice” or “necessity”.

How should the recession be ended?

First off, let the greedy idiots who ran their companies into the ground go pound sand. After that, if you’re going to spend billions of dollars, give it to those directly affected whose fault the whole situation wasn’t. Beyond that, stop trying to delay the inevitable, ride it out, and keep whatever aid you have in reserve in case things end up worse than expected and people end up starving in the streets (unlikely, but possible nonetheless).

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

Don’t know enough about the latest package to comment. I didn’t like the bailouts; I do approve of Cash For Clunkers.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

No. Not as such, anyway. Again, it’s not the corporations I’m concerned with; it’s the people involved.

**Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:
**
Better to say that the fact of whether it is or not is determined entirely by factors external to it itself. I don’t believe that raising it is de facto a good move.

Do you support NAFTA?:

Quite honestly, I’m torn. I’ve considered the issue, and haven’t yet come to peace with supporting either side. So, er, updates as warranted?

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

Yes, I do, and I don’t support any restrictions upon it. That said, this is the one social conservative issue I’m most accepting of; if you believe that a fetus is a human being (I don’t), then of course you’d support a pro-life view.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:

Government should stay the hell out of marriage and treat individuals as individuals. Consenting adults can then do whatever they like. Failing that, if it’s felt that we MUST have recognized partnerships, then I support gay marriage, and for that matter, polygamy and whatever else any number of human beings can come up with.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

Depends what you’re asking. I personally strongly believe that it should not be taught as truth; however I don’t believe it should be banned. Then again, I believe school should be geared more toward analysis and critical thinking than hard-fact info dumps, so the same would hold true for evolution or anything else.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

Nope.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

Not at all.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

If students want to pray, that’s fine. Public schools should neither support nor oppose it, and it sure as hell shouldn’t require it. Private and religious schools are free to do as they please.
**
What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:**

(Rant curtailed)…I oppose it.

**How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:
**
Shouldn’t. (Yeah, I know; I didn’t say I was happy about it, but it’s required for my belief set to be logically consistent. I won’t get into it here.)

How should drugs be regulated?:

Shouldn’t.

**History
**
**Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:
**
Not to be all first-grade about it, but I’m pretty sure they started it. Were the Confederate states willing to peacefully coexist alongside the U.S., then I’d say no.

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
**
Depends what you’re asking. If you’re asking whether I’d prefer that, continued conventional warfare, or for the U.S. to lay down its arms entirely, I’d vote bombs. If you’re asking whether the action itself was morally correct, then no.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

No. Simply put, you don’t roll up into other people’s shit and take it just because you can.

**Was the American Revolution justified?:
**
Yes. A group of people declared their desire to live independently, got attacked for it, and defended themselves. I see nothing wrong with their actions.

[Argent_Towers]

@Roland_Orzabal

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

No. Simply put, you don’t roll up into other people’s shit and take it just because you can.

**Was the American Revolution justified?:
**
Yes. A group of people declared their desire to live independently, got attacked for it, and defended themselves. I see nothing wrong with their actions.

Their desire to live independently was an act of colonialism. They took over the Indians’ land and gradually swallowed up all of it. You can’t be for the American Revolution and against colonialism at the same time.

[Happy_Fun_Ball]

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Libertarian (with a little l most likely)

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

Democratic Party for the last decade, none before that.

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

5 - Too soon to tell.

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

Favour? What does this mean. I would love to live in Italy if I was rich and retired, but I think Canada and Australia would be better places as a professional.

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

No. Hell no, but we need to do what we can to stabilize it so we can get the hell out.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Initially it was a good idea to go in and get Bin Laden and rough up the Taliban for protecting him, but we failed, didn’t we? Incidents like 9/11 should not be tolerated by any government in the world and the Taliban should have known this and given him up or executed him for crimes against humanity. Now, I am not sure what the goal is, but I worry that we are not doing good and we are spending our riches and killing off our patriots, and for what?

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:

Sanctions are OK, but military action is unnacceptable unless it comes under the aegis of the UN. We should not be the world’s policeman.

**What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:
**
Tricky question, but I agree that this is about right:

@Curtis LeMay

Sanctions, blockades, anything but military action.

**What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:
**
How is this our business?

**What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:
**
I don’t see the point of it anymore, except as a tool for American Hegemony. I don’t think we should rule the world, let them take care of themselves.

**What should be done about Zimbabwe?:
**
I would go for sanctions. Otherwise, how is this our business? Why should we police Africa?
What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:
**
Legalize drugs in the US and tax them. Give aid to our ally Mexico if they request it, but only at arms length. Again, how did our military get to be the police of the world?
Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:
Hmmmm… I do think we need to protect our citizens and our commerce. I would support limited military action for this defense.
**
Economy

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:
Yes, but very limited. I don’t think that any citizen of America should die of easily treatable diseases, but that is a long way from the services available under Medicare. This is a hard issue, and in general I support what President Obama is trying to do, though with misgivings.

**How should taxes be organized?:
**
Eliminate all taxes (including sales, corporate, and all state and local taxes), and then institute a flat tax of 25% or so on all income > 50k/year or so. Income includes income from capital gains, inheritance, and corporate perks like company cars, rides on the corporate jet, dinners and vacations, etc… This needs work, I know.

How should the recession be ended?
It will end by itself and I don’t think anyone can do much to change it. Tax cuts are a joke (what are going to invest in, all the corporations that are losing money and lay off their employees? No, you are going to put the extra money in Government bonds where it is safe.) The stimulus is not going to do much (even if it were very much larger I don’t have much hope it would be successful). We just have to ride it out. We do need more financial regulation however.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

I’m not against it, but I thinks the effect will be minimal.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

No.

**Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:
**
No, but I am not sure how much I support minimum wage. It would be better to support our poor at a certain subsistence level and make available educational programs to all who want them and will work hard. Let the market set the wage.

Do you support NAFTA?:

In principle, but in practice it leaves much to be desired.

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:
Abortion sucks. No restrictions should be placed during the first trimester. I would accept some serious limitations (health of the mother, series fetal deformities) on the final trimester. In between, I am not so sure.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:
Yes. Why is government in the marriage business? Marriage should be defined by the people entering into the contract, with support from their respective churches if they so choose. How is this the governments business?
Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

No. Except maybe in a religious study or social science course.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

No.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

By the people who take it, with advisory input from their families or partners.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

No.
**
What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:**

No real opinion, but I think it should be really rare. Better if not at all. I am not sure I would ban it if I were king of the country.

**How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:
**
It’s not bad now. Definitely not more, maybe a little less.

How should drugs be regulated?:
Legalized, controlled (like alcohol) and heavily taxed. Taxes used exclusively for regulation and to educate and rehabilitate drug users.

**History
**
**Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:
**
Yes.

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
**
Probably not. Not sure.
Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

No. But understandable and inevitable as an economic force.

**Was the American Revolution justified?:
**
Yes.

[Diogenes_the_Cynic]

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Lefty independent.

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

None

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

7

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

Never gave it any thought. I liked living in England.

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

No.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Indifferent at this point.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:

Tough one. Not during a recession. Maybe if we hadn’t already flushed so many dollars and lives down the toilet in Iraq.

**What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:
**
Nothing.

**What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:
**

Never heard of it.
**What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:
**

Indifferent. Sure, expand it, I guess.

**What should be done about Zimbabwe?:
**

I don’t know.

**What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:
**

Legalize it, don’t criticize it.
Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:

Sure, If they attack American ships, we pop their heads with sniper rifles. I like that approach.
Economy

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

Yes. Cradle to grave socialized medicine, just like Israel.

How should taxes be organized?:

Raise them on the rich back to where they were under Eisenhower.

How should the recession be ended?

No idea, but I think it’s obvious that the rich are going to have to be taxed more.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

It’s better than doing nothing.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

Yes.

Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:

Is it ever?
Do you support NAFTA?:

I don’t think so.

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

Your question is phrased wrong. the question should be whether we support the RIGHT to abortion.

My answer is yes. No restrictions.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:
I support same-sex marriage.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

Not in a science class, and not as an “alternative” to evolution.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:
No. I want to see hardcore porn and Quentin Trantino movies on sunday mornings.
How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

Not at all.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

Voluntary prayer is already legal. Students can pray whenever they want. School officials cannot involve themselves or lead prayers in any way, and public PA systems cannot be used.

**
What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:**
I don’t have an inherent moral problem with killing assholes, but I oppose the death penalty for two reasons. One is that the possibility of error cannot be eliminated from the sysyem, the other is that I think it’s too easy for them. Giving a serial killer a shot in the arm and letting him go to sleep is letting him get away scot free, in my opinion. He should have to rot in a cell.

**How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:
**

I don’t know.

How should drugs be regulated?:

Legalize it, don’t criticize it.

Tax the hell out of it and use the revenue for public drug rehabs.

**History
**
Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:

Sure. Fuck those racist rednecks.

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
**

No…

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

No.

**Was the American Revolution justified?:
**

Probably enough to feel ok about it.

[toadspittle]

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Independent.

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

Democratic

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

10

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

Dunno. Canada? Finland?

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

No. We should get out TODAY. None of this BS about it taking time to leave. We could flee within a week without significant casualties, but no one wants to.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Yes. Never should have given it up for Iraq in the first place. Now we’re making up for hopelessly wasted time.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:

That whole region of Africa is a mess, and everyone on all sides seems to be committing atrocities. I think we, as part of a UN coalition, should be in there as peacekeepers. And not like peacekeepers in Rwanda–we should actually fire our fucking weapons if someone is trying to kill someone else.

**What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:
**
Sanctions, blockades, anything but military action from the US. Wait them out, encourage the South to engage them and normalize relations. Make NK deal with SK, not with the USA. They have family there. They have perceived enemies here.

**What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:
**
No opinion/knowledge.

**What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:
**
Too late to expand now. We should have invited Russia to join in about 2001, but Bush fucked up. Now we’re back at NATO/Warsaw Pact detente, and NATO should stay within its current borders to avoid any additional fear and fury from Russia.

**What should be done about Zimbabwe?:
**
No opinion.

**What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:
**
Not unless they ask for it. Strong patrols on OUR side of the borders, nothing on theirs.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:
Yes. We should make a greater effort to escort shipping, and encourage other seafaring nations to do the same. This is EXACTLY the kind of thing our Navy and Coast Guard would be great at.

**
Economy**

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

Yes. Detach health care from employers. Dumbest Idea Ever.

**How should taxes be organized?:
**
More taxes on the ultra-rich. Remove AMT on middle class; otherwise, middle-class taxes aren’t too bad. Also, include SS tax on EVERY dollar earned; don’t stop it at its current limit.

How should the recession be ended?

More grants to emerging, positive industries (clean tech); more slight stimulus spending over next 2 years.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

More or less. Could’ve been done better, but we probably didn’t have time. Almost certainly should have been bigger and bolder.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

No. They have irredeemably bad reputations, which are rightfully deserved. Ford and Chevy should be reduced to making nothing but pick-up trucks (which they do the best in the world). Cut out the rest of their lines (which all suck). Spin off the EV/hybrid lines into small, speculative companies that can serve a niche market and be a potential buyout opportunity down the line.

**Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:
**
Crappy but sufficient for now.

Do you support NAFTA?:

No. Other countries don’t always play by our rules, so we shouldn’t have wide open (economic) borders and simply pretend that they’re just like us.

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

Yes. No restrictions.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:

All. Prefer full Gay Marriage. Would also be open to government “civil unions” for all, gay or straight, and relegate “marriage” to being a church sacrament like “communion” or “confirmation” that the state is not involved in.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

No only evolution should be taught. Creationism demonstrates a deep illness in the American psyche, and should be obliterated.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

Fine where it is (mostly voluntary/industry-run restrictions). I’m very uncomfortable with the FCC’s “we don’t censor content/oops, here’s a million-dollar fine” practices. If they plan to censor, they need to spell out exactly what is OK and what is not. Else, give it up and let market outrage decide what is too raunchy.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

Not at all. Highly supported and heavily, freely distributed. The more BC the better.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

No. Should not be allowed. Leave me out of your sect.

**
What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:**

While I’m philosophically in favor of it for treason, 1st-degree murder, and rape, I recognize how flawed our justice system is, and hence favor life sentences instead.

**How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:
**
About where it is now. Having done both, it’s much quicker and easier for me to buy a gun than a car. And I’m statistically more likely to kill someone with my car. Seems about right.

How should drugs be regulated?:

I think all drugs except marijuana should be banned and the latter should be heavily taxed.

**History
**
**Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:
**
Yes.

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
**
Yes. 140,000 Japanese lives for a million American lives was a good trade-off. I don’t believe the Japanese were “on the brink of collapse” as many say; they barely surrendered even after two bombs.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

No.

**Was the American Revolution justified?:
**
In retrospect, not really. (I’m glad it happened, but we were clearly being a bit unreasonable. Our taxes then were practically a rounding error.) But, honestly, as important as we make it out to be, it was a minor blip on the world stage of the 18th century.

[Der_Trihs]

@Argent_Towers

Their desire to live independently was an act of colonialism. They took over the Indians’ land and gradually swallowed up all of it. You can’t be for the American Revolution and against colonialism at the same time.

Not really; they are two separate issues. Yes, they were on land that their ancestors stole. But in theory they could have made peace, stopped expanding by force, and so on; or they could have done what they did do, and continued with the conquest and genocide. They could have chosen either path whether or not they had a revolution. The revolution was about their relationship to England, not to the Indians.
What do you identify yourself politically as?: Independent, of no officially defined party/philosophy. A Der Trihsist.

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?: None.

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?: 5.

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?: Um, Britain I guess, mainly because I speak the language. I’m not a fan of nationalism.

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?: No. We shouldn’t have gone there; we shouldn’t be there.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?: Leaning against it these days; going there was justified, but we’ve botched it badly.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?: : I’m uncertain what can be done; America is too morally and politically bankrupt. I’d support intervention by a well meaning third party, but not by America; we would neither be well meaning nor perceived to be.

What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?: Blockade them and diplomatically placate them until some sort of change or opening or collapse occurs; we can’t do anything forcibly that won’t result in large death tolls.

**What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?: ** No opinion.

What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?: America should withdraw/be thrown out and it should become a primarily European self defense organization; America is not a friend of Europe or anyone else.

**What should be done about Zimbabwe?: ** Not much we can do.

What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?: Legalize/decriminalize most drugs.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?: Yes.

Economy

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?: Yes there should be.

How should taxes be organized?: Raise taxes on the rich/corporations; eliminate tax shelters for the wealthy as much as possible. Religions should lose their exemption.

How should the recession be ended? Mainly more stimulus; taxing the wealthy to get their money into circulation and lessen the disparity of wealth.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?: Neutral. I’m waiting and seeing.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?: Yes, but they should have to accept some kind of restructuring, loss of executive benefits and such.

Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?: Insufficient.

Do you support NAFTA?: No.

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?: No restrictions.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?: I support SSM.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?: No; it’s garbage. And a violation of the separation of church and state.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?: No. Labeled, not regulated.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?: It should be provided free of charge to anyone who wants it. Reducing the number of unwanted children is a major social good.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?): Opposed; it violates separation of church and state, and tends to lead to oppressive and outright thuggish behavior.

What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?: Under no circumstances; I don’t trust the system that much.

How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?: Largely rendered illegal or requiring a fairly high hurdle to get a license for.

How should drugs be regulated?: Non-addictive drugs should be made legal. Addictive drugs dispensed as necessary from government sources. Research into curing addiction.

**History
**
Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?: Yes; they were slavers holding millions of Americans in bondage.

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
** No; but I don’t regard it as being any worse than other terror attacks like Dresden.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?: No. Would we think it justified if some other country somehow conquered us?

Was the American Revolution justified?: Yes.

[Cisco]

This is really long and has some weird questions. Are people really going to read all these? I guess what the hell . . . .

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Very liberal with some libertarian leanings

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

Eh . . . I vote Democrat most often if I’m being honest, but I think they’re a bunch of pussies and I will never join the party

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

6

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

Probably Mexico or Japan

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

In the first place? No. Now that we’re there? No fucking clue. My mind starts doing backflips when I think about it too hard.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Less and less as time goes on . . . wtf are we doing there?

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:

Humanitarian, sure, as long as it’s truly humanitarian and not clandestine carpetbagging

**What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:
**

Tell them they can have nuclear power plants (that’s all they claim to want, right?) as long as we guard them and Americans work there. If they ever kick us out, we bomb the facility, with ample warning.

**What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:
**

I don’t recall ever hearing of it, and I read a book called The History of Japan.

**What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:
**

Don’t have much of an opinion on NATO.

**What should be done about Zimbabwe?:
**

Not really sure.

**What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:
**

Drug wars [gangs, dealers, etc] are a symptom. You never fix a problem just by treating the symptoms.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:

I honestly haven’t been following it. I think the military should be used for defense, so extrapolate.

Economy**

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

Hard to say . . . I think it’s all kind of a red herring. The problem isn’t really who pays for it but how much we pay. The healthcare and health insurance industries have everybody by the balls and doctors are financially incentivized to provide the most expensive care, regardless of if it’s the most helpful.

**How should taxes be organized?:
**

I don’t have a big problem with taxes right now. If anything I think a few useless luxury items like H2’s should be taxed a little more.

How should the recession be ended?

Don’t know and anyone who tells you they do is full of shit

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

A little yes, a little no

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

Hard to say. It probably shouldn’t have been allowed to get that far, with shipping jobs overseas and stuff, and the morons should’ve adapted to compete with Toyota and Honda 30 years ago.

**Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:
**

I don’t even know what it is.

Do you support NAFTA?:

I’m not 100% settled, but leaning towards “no”

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

Kind of a loaded question but I generally think the government should stay out of this one.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:

10,000% support gay marriage with a capital fucking filigreed ‘M’

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

No only evolution should be taught. However Creationism/Intelligent Design can be mentioned once or twice as a religious belief.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

Fewer restrictions on all of it, though I wish people didn’t pine for so much violence

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

It should be free to anyone

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

Don’t support it. Even when I was a Christian I didn’t support it. The bible says pray in your closet with no one around.
**
What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:**

It’s wrong to kill.

**How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:
**

Eh, I don’t like guns at all but I support the 2nd amendment.

How should drugs be regulated?:

If you can grow it, you can possess it and use it, but you can’t sell it or drive while intoxicated from it

**History
**
**Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:
**

Yes. The Union needed to be preserved and slavery needed to be abolished.

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
**

Most likely.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

“Parts” of it? That’s very general, so yes. A lot of Catholics in Latin America are grateful for it.

**Was the American Revolution justified?:
**
Fuck yeah.

[Roland_Orzabal]

@Argent_Towers

Their desire to live independently was an act of colonialism. They took over the Indians’ land and gradually swallowed up all of it. You can’t be for the American Revolution and against colonialism at the same time.

They’re separate issues. I’m against the taking of the Indians’ land, but the early colonials did it without bothering to ask me. The referenced expression of desire to live independently — that is, the Revolution — was a separate action undertaken by a people who, by means moral or otherwise, had already claimed the land and now controlled it. (I’m aware that attacks and annexation of Indian land continued during and after the Revolution, but my point is that they’re separate events; it’s perfectly rational to consider one justifiable and not the other.)

[freedumb2003]

Why not? It will introduce me to the board:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Constitutional Conservative

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

Republican Party (I wish it was the Constitution Party, but they ain’t there yet)

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

1

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

Australia

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

Hell yes.

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Yes

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?:

No. As Kissinger said, countries don’t have friends, they have interests. If the UN was worth anything, they would go in and do something. But the wusses (who many here in the US want to be their Lord And Master) in the UN will, as usual, use speeches as their weapon of choice.
What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:

Watch closely and be ready to move on a moment’s notice.

What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:

Dokdo should certainly be given to the Republic of Korea and preferably Daemado too.

What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:

NATO is probably the only alliance with any teeth, in charter as well as ability. Those who can participate in the mutual support pact should be in asap. Hey, where were these wienies on 9/12?

What should be done about Zimbabwe?:

Let them sink in the swamp they created for themselves

What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:

Yes certainly. For now advisors and maybe US garrisons in major border towns and Mexican cities. Or just declare total war and execute every drug lord, drug farmer, and thug in Mexico on sight.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?:

Yes we should do more. The world (economic) powers should attack the pirate’s homes so they know they can’t benefit from violence.

And the next country that gives in to the pirates should be shunned, economically and personally.
Economy

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

Hell No.

How should taxes be organized?:

Everyone should pay taxes. If you make money, you pay taxes. No such thing as the EIC. Graduated is OK, but fewer tax brackets and a much, much lower ceiling. Eliminate Death Taxes (already taxes were paid). Eliminate double taxation on stocks.
How should the recession be ended?

Tax cuts, less government regulation. Let the market right the ship.

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

Hell no. It has and continues to hinder the recovery.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

Hell no. Compete, win or get out of the way.

Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:

Define “sufficient” – it is great for the target. Anyone whp

Do you support NAFTA?:

Yes, but a lot more controls are needed.

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

No I don’t. I support abortion being banned in all cases except if the mother’ life is in danger.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:

Support domestic partnerships, will grudgingly tolerate civil unions, and opposed to gay marriage.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

No only evolution should be taught. However Creationism/Intelligent Design can be mentioned once or twice as a religious belief.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

Violence restrictions are fine where it’s right now, profanity should have no regulations, sexuality might need a few more minor restrictions.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

Somewhat. Heavily taxed and age restriction for around 15.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

Voluntary prayer yes for all schools, require prayer for religious and homeschools.

What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:

Yes and for first degree murder, treason, piracy, spying, and various indirect deaths (like killing people while drinking and driving)

How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:

About where it’s now.

How should drugs be regulated?:

Minmimally. ROI should be trhe driver.

History

Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:

Yes
Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:

Hell yes

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

Yes

Was the American Revolution justified?:

Yes

[Cisco]

@freedumb2003

Why not? It will introduce me to the board:

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

1

Lol. Welcome aboard. I can’t wait for the nuanced and reasoned discourse you’ll bring to the table.

[willthekittensurvive]

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?:

Socialist Humanist

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?:

Democratic, still way to the right for my Dutch standards but, I do not think what works for us in Holland( and I believe that what we have in Holland works) will work for you

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being “He should be impeached” and 10 being “One of the best Presidents” how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?:

6 to soon to tell, but if he can live up to his potential that would be something special

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?:

USA

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operations in Iraq?:

euhm, I think the invasion of Iraq was cynical first move of scary dangerous people trying to create American Empire, with Iraq as vassal state using the 911 as a smokescreen
but

I also believe that Saddam Hussein was an evil person who used torture, rape and WMD on his own people and that America (and the EU) had a moral duty to remove him from power,

[uncle Ben]
With great power comes great responsibility
[/uncle Ben]
and

Now we have the duty to help build up what we broke, in a supporting role with the people of Iraq deciding what help they need

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operation in Afghanistan?:

Yes, the Taliban in Afghanistan are a force of evil, they were in league with AQ and Osama bin Laden, see the last bit of my post on Iraq

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitarian, etc,)?:

Yes, see above

**What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis?:
**
See above

**What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?:
**
No opinion, but does the use of the “Empire of Japan” hint to a bias of the asker?

**
This is a real question, I do not remember seeing anyone use Empire of Japan outside of WW2 settings **

**What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?:
**
Hmm…. I would rather see the EU countries integrate their military into an EU Force, the NATO is starting to look more like a bypass of the UN, with to much power for the US

**What should be done about Zimbabwe?:
**
See the last part of my Iraq answer

**What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?:
**

Yes certainly. For now advisors and maybe US garrisons in major border towns and Mexican cities. Or just declare total war and execute every drug lord, drug, farmer, and thug in Mexico on sight.

Wow…please never elect Curtis

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?: from what I read the Pirates of Somalia are a reaction to the International community illegally over fishing Somali water, and dumping toxic waste near their coast. So stop doing that first and make effort to create a working state in Somalia first
**
Economy**

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it?:

Holland has a great UHC

**How should taxes be organized?:
**
Progressive

How should the recession be ended?

By investing in the future

Do you support the US Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan?:

Not sure what it is

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?:

Only if they are sustainable in the long-time

**Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?:
**
In Holland it is

Do you support NAFTA?:

Sure, the EU was a blessing for the whole of Europe rich countries and the poor ones

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?:

I do

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?:

Not a issue in Holland, but yeah if they want to they should be able to marry,

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?:

Not an issue in Holland.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profanity, sexuality etc.?:

I support labelling of media for their content, I do not believe in censorship, but if I did I would only censor violence, hate speech, rape and kiddyporn

How do you think birth control should be regulated?:

Free and available for all

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?):

Everyone can pray if they do not disrupt the lessons, organised prayer only in schools that do not get money form the government
**
What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?:**

No, even if they deserve to die, there is no way to make sure there will never be errors

**How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?:
**
I like living in gun free Holland

How should drugs be regulated?:

The only regulation should be on a public heath basis, but include alcohol as a drug

**History
**
**Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?:
**
Yes slavery was/is evil

**Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?:
**
No, civilians are not a legitimate target, same for the bombing of cities in Europe during the WW2

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?:

I do not think it can be defended with the morals of today

**Was the American Revolution justified?:
**yeah sure why not if you wanted independence , why not