ofthisnation: Senator Nym90, you may start.
Nym90: I feel that the Patriot Act should be reviewed by an independent commission to determine what abuses of civil liberties have resulted, and that, if necessary, portions of it should be repealed. I believe strongly in preserving civil liberties and I do not feel that the War on Terror should be used as an excuse to reduce freedom in this country. Freedom is what makes us a great nation, and if we restrict civil liberties we allow the terrorists to win....
gwbushreform: WOOOOOOOOOOOO
Nym90: that battle against us, in as much as they want us to have less freedom.
Gustafus13: Cheer!
dem rep Dan: *light applause*
MAS117: NYMNYMNYMNYMNYMNYMNYM
ofthisnation: Governor, your rebuttal.
supersoulty: To me, this is an issue of both civil rights homeland security. I do support most of the asspects of the patriot Act, however, I believe that every 5 years there should be a review of the provisions and how they have been used...if any abuses are discovered, they should be investigated. NO ONE should be afraid to be an American or come to America, but we do need to balance some of those concerns against homeland security concerns.
dem rep Dan: *applause*
Gustafus13: Cheer!
ofthisnation: Senator Nym90, do you have a rebuttal to the Governor's statements?
Nym90: I do agree that we need a balance, but I feel that respecting civil liberties is number one. We should not have to give up any of our freedoms in the name of national security. We can both protect security and respect freedom at the same time.
supersoulty: I would just like to say that although there is some difference on methods, all Americans do essentially agree on this issue and I encourage all Americans to support- whoever the winning candidate is, on this particular issue.
ofthisnation: This is from Senator Gustaf: Do the candidates support free trade or fair trade, or some similar question on trade policy? How about dictatures, should we trade with them, etc. Each candidate will give one statement, no rebuttals...
ofthisnation: Senator Nym, you may begin.
Nym90: I support fair trade. I am in support of free trade, but I think that there needs to be protection for workers as well. If a country has no labor or environmental standards at all and thus puts American workers and U.S. based companies at a disadvantage, then there needs to be some restrictions on that to protect American jobs. We need to protect American jobs above all, and have a balanced policy which does not sacrifice jobs in the name of globalization.
supersoulty: I support free trade with some nations and fair trade with others and no trade with some. That all depends on economic issues and which nations we are talking about. Nations with terrible human rights abuses should not be regular trade partners with the US. I also, believe that NAFTA should be revoked because there is no benifit to the US. It has resulted in a boondoggle that has cost American jobs and we need to end it.
ofthisnation: Okay, thank you to all the candidates, as we move onto the audience Q&A.
MAS117: Senator MAS of NJ: This is a question to both candidates... what will you do to improve bi-parsitan relationships within the forum and out
dem rep Dan: (get rid of PD....)
ofthisnation: *snicker*
gwbushreform: I ask after you
supersoulty: I'll go first...
MAS117: proceed
supersoulty: First off, I believe in free speech so I think PD should stay. Sorry (chuckle)
Nym90: I think that we need to set aside our partisan differences and attempt to work together for the good of the forum and of the nation. That does not mean compromising our principles, however, we should realize that we mostly share common goals and common values, and only disagree on methods.
supersoulty: Um... I have always tried to approuch subjects in a level headed way. I think that that is the best way to do things. We are a united group or resonible individuals and I think that we have done well for ourselves...
gwbushreform: My question:
gwbushreform: Governor Supersoulty--on the results from the Madrabbit and political compass tests, you scored in the authoritarian conservative range. You are obviously too conservative to appeal to centrists during your term. How do you expect your Goldwater-like conservative view to go over with the world population?
htmldon: Oh give me a break... Super is very much a moderate
supersoulty: Ummm... I scoured a 3 authoritarian which put me below Tony Blair, so I don't really understand the premise of the question.
gwbushreform: you also scored a 33
gwbushreform: on the madrabbit, which distances you from the center moreso than Nym does
supersoulty: Oh I see. Well, that put me in the Jack Kemp range, so I don't think that is to bad.
.
Migrendel: I have a question for both candidates.
supersoulty: Hang on
supersoulty: I want to answer CM's question
CM: This is a question for Governor Supersoulty! since most goods Americans purchase from large discount retail stores and outlets come from China, which has a horrifying human rights record, what would you do to counter that?
supersoulty: You are right... China has a horrible human rights record. I think that it is an abomination that they receive 'most favored nation status'. The WTO is a disgusting organization and it is inherently anti American. I would make sure that Americans know that they are buying Chinese goods before they purchase them, and create incentives to buy American.
Nym90: I also think that we should scale back trade with nations that have horrible human rights records. Each should be reviewed on its own merit before we decide how much to trade with them. I would favor revoking MFN status as well
ofthisnation: We'll have Migrendel's question, then end the debate.
supersoulty: Hang on
Migrendel: Yes. I'd like the candidates to elaborate on their positions on civil and reproductive rights.
supersoulty: Could you focus your question Migrendel?
Migrendel: I would like the candidates to elaborate on their positions on civil and reproductive rights.
Nym90: The question was a little broad...I'll do the best I can though.
Nym90: I am in favor of legal abortion in the first two trimesters, until the fetus reaches the ability to be viable outside the womb, after that point, I feel that restrictions should be allowed to be made for abortions which are not medically necessary to save the health or life of the mother.
Nym90: Well, on affirmative action, I think that simply giving someone a preference based on their race is too simplistic. We should look at the whole person and get beyond appearance and ethnic background. We need to ensure equality for all, and I feel that the best way to do this is by giving a preference based on family income, since this is the great divide in our nation today, not race.
Migrendel: Thank you for your candour.
supersoulty: Civil rights are what make this nation strong. We should act to preserve those rights that don't harm communities or individuals in a direct way. I personally am not in favor of abortion. I feel that abortion for medical reasons should be preserved...
Migrendel: What do you have to offer on affirmative action?
supersoulty: I would work with congress and the American people to draft to protect as amny lives as possible...
supersoulty: I know that deep down the American culture is a culture of life and we can act to change the tide on this..
.
supersoulty: On affirmative action, if we are going to have a color blind society, then we should do away with it. Merits should be on grade and affirmative action should be only for economic reasons.
dem rep Dan: *applause*
Migrendel: What about the millions of poor women who depend upon you? What do you plan to tell them?
Gustafus13: Cheer!
GenSpartan: *applause*
supersoulty: Depend upon who? What ? I don't understand the question.
Gustafus13: He's talking about your wives, lol...
Migrendel: Depend you to be the guardian of their right to make the most important decision of their lives, especially when on the raw edges of human existence.
supersoulty: Okay. I believe that open access to social programs to help those people. Give them options outside of abortion.
ofthisnation: Thank you to all the candidates for your time and effort. Governor Supersoulty, Senator Nym90, Senator Harry, and Senator Demrepdan, good luck in the general election, and God bless. Good night.
dem rep Dan: Thank you
supersoulty: Thank You
Nym90: Thanks for attending everyone....cue the talking heads now...
Nym90: lol
Nym90: to analyze the performances
supersoulty: good night. lol
Nym90: oh, and happy birthday supersoulty
Nym90: :-)
supersoulty: Thanx
MAS117: truw
dem rep Dan: yes yes! i forgot! happy birthday
ofthisnation: ooh, how old? 12? 13?
Gustafus13: Good bi-partisan move, Nym90!
supersoulty: haha 20
ofthisnation: :-)
dem rep Dan: the big TWO-OH
Gustafus13: Oh, and happy birthday from me as well!
For the record, I would like to point out that I SPENT A GOOD DEAL OF TIME editing this thing to get out all the crap, so YOUR WELCOME. The debate was very interesting. Also, some notes: Supersoulty has bad spelling, and everyone was civil (most of the time)