Your political beliefs and why.

Great Debates
21

So, reading this thread, it makes me wonder…
Who the heck are the people out there who agree with what the major parties stand for? Is there anyone of reasonable intelligence out there who buys into a party platform on most issues?

The more I talk to people about their political affiliations, the more I doubt it. And I start thinking that the two- (or maybe three-) party system is a reasonable thing; we’ve just got the wrong two parties.

I find myself agreeing with lots of people on this board in my own political views:

  • Legalize vicitmless crimes.
  • Maintain a strong military, but stop being a world policeman.
  • Eliminate governmental social spending. Get rid of Social Security, Medicare, etc. Continue to fund education.
  • Provide public colleges, completely funded by tax dollars
  • Expand and enhance the rights provided for in the BOR, including few restrictions on both gun ownership and abortions.
  • Eliminate the electoral college.
  • Scale back the civil courts.
  • Eliminate the notion of corporations with rights.
  • Etc.

How did I get these ideas? I dunno. Definitely not from my parents. My mom was an is a liberal. My dad was a more conservative person, but has become more liberal as he gets older.

22

Let me add a few.

[ul]
[li]Public education means educating the public. It does NOT mean that the government must spend education money through its own sanctioned organizations.[/li][li]Capital punishment is absolute and irreversible. Murders commit absolute and irreversible crimes. Connect the dots.[/li][li]Legalize recreational drugs. Even though it’s a stupid thing to do the law doesn’t prohibit me from thrusting a screw driver through the back of my hand. How are drugs different, except that the drugs have recreational value?[/li][li]Everyone on government payroll is accountable for something. Suing the police department and plunging the local taxpayer base millions of dollars in debt because a cop misbehaves is ludicrous. Hang the cop and have pity on the taxpayer.[/li][li]Restrict mass transit systems. Local bus service is costly, polluting, and a taxpayer funded traffic hazard.[/li][/ul]

23

Okay, I used to be a democrat, and I’m not yet sure how I’ll vote this time around, but it won’t be republican. That said here’s my current thoughts.

Crime

End mandatory minimums & the drug war. Get rid of conspiracy laws, if you can’t make your case without proof, the person walks. Make Drugs a health issue not a criminal one. Reform the parole system, add job training better tracking, and would someone put a wedge in that damn revolving door.

Abortion

I’m reluctantly pro-choice. I think it’s a terrible form of both control, but I hesitate to remove it from the table.

Death Penalty

This one is hard, I used to support it, but now think it should be abolished until someone comes up with a way to make sure not one innocent person is put to death.

Military

I support a strong military. I do think it’s our job as the BMOC to police the world if the need arises. Stop playing “Nintendo warriors”, if we need to do something, go in get it done, get out.

Gun Control

I think mandatory liability insurance (maybe $100,000 per gun) should be required for all gun owners. If the gun is used incorrectly (read your kid shoots mine) you should be responsible.

Other issues.

I hate political correctness, and never once as a black man have I referred to myself as an African American, and don’t believe in other hyphenated Americans either. Related hate crime laws are idiotic.

I think campaigns should be 100% publicly financed and broadcast on TV for free.

Education should be first and foremost in any efforts at crime control. Education should be free through the college level. Get rid of the teachers union if they can’t police their teachers.

Get rid of personhood for corporations.

I don’t see any problem with gay rights or marriage.

And last but not least, oatmeal belongs in a cookie not a bowl dammit.

24

I’ve recently posted this very thing to another thread. I’ll put a copy of that post here, with a few additions:
(from a thread asking Liberals to check in)

[/quote]

According to the definition posted by seriousart,

I’m a liberal. With the current situation in the US, I am ‘Politically Homeless’. Can’t get with any major political party, no time to start my own (also lack of followers makes it difficult).
Dems are a bunch hipporcites, who say they will help all, but care only for votes and power of office.
Reps are a bunch of self-rightious detached blow hards, who can’t tie their shoe laces most days.
Libertarians seem reasonable, but my little brain can’t grasp all of the concepts.
And who’s left? Pat Buchanan and the Consumer Advocate? Feh.

I say the real answer is back to Monarchy! True Liberals know that real progress can only be made with the Royal Decree. God Save the Queen!

[/quote]

Although the bit about the Queen was tongue-in-cheek, I’ll stand by this - I see no form of Government better than a benevolent Dictatorship. It does away with all the partisan BS we have now, and decisions can be made quickly for the good of all. The problem is once you have a Dictatorship established as the form of Government, it’s too easy to get a real idjit in there, and destroy the lives of many.

I feel the less intervention we have in our lives from any (unsolicited) source the better. However, I have become dependent on certain Govmt services (as I think most of us have), so doing away with them in one foul swoop would be difficult; but a gradual pull back from this nanny state is what I would like to see. I truly believe that most people can’t even comprehend what it would mean not to depend on Government for so many things.