Summary of political beliefs

[Frodo]

Social/Cultural Hot-Button issues

Women's Rights: I support the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, as well as the final ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (updated to include sexual minorities) and CEDAW.  

Gay Rights: Strongly oppose the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment and favor overturning the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) through the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.  Support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, as well as hate crimes legislation.  

Sex: Favor mandatory comprehensive sex education programs, including accurate and up-to-date information regarding safe sex (condoms, contraceptives, etc.), sexually transmitted diseases, and abstinence.  I also support the right to free sexual speech & expression without legal penalties or harassment, and to this end I support the right of women to go topless wherever men are allowed to; public nudity in designated areas; as well as ending censorship of nudity in the media.  I also favor the legalization of brothels.

Second Amendment: The Second Amendment was intended to be seen as protecting an individual right as with all the other original ten amendments that comprised the Bill of Rights when it was added to the Constitution.  When it was originally written, 'militia' connoted the entirety of the citizenry, not just a government-created body.  

Accordingly, I support concealed-carry, 'castle-doctrine' laws, and other liberalizing measures. I strongly oppose gun-bans at any governmental level.  However, as with every other amendment, there are limits. Criminals, felons, drug users, and those with mental disabilities (violent and non-violent alike) should not have access to firearms, and I support measures (e.g. universal background checks) to that effect.

Drug War: Given the poor results of the past forty years since the 'War on Drugs' was first inaugurated by President Nixon, I now support ending the 'War on Drugs' by overturning the Controlled Substances Act, ending mandatory minimum sentencing, legalizing marijuana, and instead direct our attention and funding towards prevention and treatment of addicts.  

Economic issues

Education: Favor adapting the Finland education model to the United States, including a major expansion in after-school tutoring programs as well as universal pre-school education; smaller class sizes; and changing the traditional school year to a year-round schedule; and changing the system by which teachers are hired, paid, and promoted from one based on seniority to merit-based pay.

Tax Code: In addition to closing tax loopholes, sun-setting the alternative minimum tax, and setting the top individual income tax rate at 40%, I favor tax reforms including cutting the corporate income tax to 25%, and introducing the Value-Added Tax (superseding all preceding sales and use taxes) with the intention of encouraging savings and investment, manufacturing exports over consumption of imports, as well as increasing revenue to pay for the social programs that the American people desire.  

Entitlement programs: With the realization that we are going to have a health care system that more closely resembles the Bismarck model of Germany than the Single-Payer system of Great Britain or Canada, I support various measures to improve upon the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  Among them, I favor a robust public option, federalizing Medicaid, and medical liability reform.

With regard to Social Security, I favor raising the retirement age to seventy, raising the payroll tax as well as eliminating the cap on it, preserve as well as raise the estate tax, and indexing Social Security benefits to inflation as opposed to wages.  

I strongly oppose diverting payroll taxes into private retirement accounts subject to the whims of the market.  

Labor Unions: Support the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, and repealing the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947.

Free Trade: Strongly support free trade, and favor the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Area.  I also favor significantly reducing farm subsidies throughout the developed world.  

Immigration Reform: I would support full amnesty of the 11 million or so illegal aliens in the United States if we focus first on ensuring that our borders would be secured so as to prevent future hordes of migrants from coming across the border illegally.

To encourage assimilation, I support making English the official language of the United States, significant increases in funding for ESL (English-as-a-Second-Language) programs, passage of the DREAM Act, and streamlining the legal immigration process to make it less cumbersome and more convenient for visa applicants.

I strongly oppose calls by nativists for mass deportations and denying birthright citizenship.  

Energy Independence and the Environment: To build a more ecologically sustainable society over the long-haul, I favor research into nuclear fusion and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies; increasing investments into alternative renewable energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass among others; promoting energy efficiency in government as well as in private industry, using the LEED Green Building Rating System as a model; tax credits for hybrid vehicles; increasing the fuel economy standards for newer vehicles; gradually eliminating taxpayer subsidies for the fossil fuel and ethanol industries; implementing a carbon tax to further spur these changes in energy usage; as well as beginning a 'nuclear renaissance' through the building of enough new nuclear power plants, and updating those already in existence so that 50% of our energy needs would be based on nuclear power.

I also support opening Yucca Mountain as a storage site for spent nuclear waste, as well as increasing our capacity for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel so that they can be reused and to reduce the total amount of waste that would have to be sent there.

Transportation: The federal government should also create a national transportation infrastructure for the 21st century comparable in scope to President Eisenhower's Interstate Highway System, with High Speed Rail as its centerpiece, beginning with increasing investments into mass transit programs in urban areas so as to concentrate population growth there.

NASA -Space Exploration: Strongly support President Bush's initiative to refocus the space agency away from the International Space Station (instead letting private companies and international space agencies fund the ISS upon its completion) and towards the exploration (and colonization) of the Moon and Mars.  I also support reviving the Constellation program; moving manned and unmanned rocket launch facilities HQ from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico -and distributing funding accordingly.

Foreign Policy

Support the ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.  Advocate cultivating our relations with India through such agreements like the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, with the ultimate objective of making India into an ally as special and important to the United States as the United Kingdom is today.  Support the leasing of bases throughout Southeast Asia (including Subic Naval Base and Clark Air Base in the Philippines) to counter the growing military power of China, and reshaping our military to better handle the twin challenges of counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency, including a major expansion of the Special Forces.  Also support missile defense to guard against rogue regimes threatening our allies.

Democracy-Related Issues

District of Columbia: Support having the non-federal areas of DC retroceded to Maryland as the city of Washington, thereby enabling the residents within to be represented at all levels of government.  

Election Reform: I support full mandatory public disclosure by all (including independent super PACS like 501(c) and 527 groups) of all political donations and expenditures, as well as repealing most of the remaining portions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act with the intention of strengthening political parties, in turn strengthening our representative democracy.  

I also support replacing the First-Past-The-Post system with mixed-member proportional representation with regard to Congress and state legislatures; as well as replacing our current front-loaded primary/caucus schedule with a Rotating Regional Primary System, having delegates awarded to candidates on a proportional basis, and getting rid of 'Super Delegates'.  

In addition, I advocate eliminating the Electoral College and having the President elected by the national popular vote alone.    

[For Oklahoma]

Alright time for an update. I'm going with the Political Matrix and my responses, and I'll post my score below.

1. The right to individual autonomy is important, even if it threatens collective security. (Usually agree)
2. The government should penalize organizations that practice outsourcing. (Neutral)
3. Giving faith-based charities the same government resources as secular organizations is a good idea. (Neutral)
4. We should increase foreign aid to countries struggling with poverty. (Usually disagree)
5. We should increase funding for education. (Neutral)

6. Heterosexual couples should receive higher marital recognition than same-sex couples. (Usually disagree)
7. Overall, free trade hurts more than it helps. (Neutral)
8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially. (Neutral)
9. Abortion should be illegal or very heavily restricted. (Neutral)
10. The government should fund museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions that are unable to survive independently. (Usually disagree)

11. The government should subsidize health insurance for those who cannot easily afford it. (Neutral)
12. The government should work to reduce children's exposure to offensive radio and television content. (Disagree)
13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates. (Usually disagree)
14. The minimum wage should be raised. (Agree)
15. Marijuana should be legalized. (Agree)

16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit. (Usually disagree)
17. Violating individual rights is acceptable when it comes to fighting terrorism. (Usually disagree)
18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive. (Neutral)
19. The government should provide basic needs for all people. (Usually disagree)
20. The death penalty should be an option for serious crimes. (Neutral)
21. We should reduce the difficulty of immigration. (Agree)

22. Union workers should be protected against being fired during strikes. (Neutral)
23. Prostitution should be legalized. (Usually agree)
24. Flag burning should be banned. (Usually disagree)
25. I support affirmative action. (Usually disagree)
26. The government should impose tariffs to protect industries from foreign competition. (Neutral)
27. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal if the patient is capable of informed, rational consent. (Neutral)

Economic: -0.26
Social: -3.48

And this comes as a shock to me, I have ventured into the left side of the PM for the first time.

Weeee.

[Governor Scott]

I'm going to post my PM responses, as well.

1. The right to individual autonomy is important, even if it threatens collective security. (Usually agree)
2. The government should penalize organizations that practice outsourcing. (Usually disagree)
3. Giving faith-based charities the same government resources as secular organizations is a good idea. (Usually agree)
4. We should increase foreign aid to countries struggling with poverty. (Neutral)
5. We should increase funding for education. (Neutral)

6. Heterosexual couples should receive higher marital recognition than same-sex couples. (Disagree)*
7. Overall, free trade hurts more than it helps. (Usually disagree)
8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially. (Neutral)
9. Abortion should be illegal or very heavily restricted. (Disagree)*
10. The government should fund museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions that are unable to survive independently. (Neutral)

11. The government should subsidize health insurance for those who cannot easily afford it. (Agree)*
12. The government should work to reduce children's exposure to offensive radio and television content. (Usually disagree)
13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates. (Disagree)*
14. The minimum wage should be raised. (Agree)
15. Marijuana should be legalized. (Agree)

16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit. (Usually disagree)
17. Violating individual rights is acceptable when it comes to fighting terrorism. (Disagree)
18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive. (Usually disagree)
19. The government should provide basic needs for all people. (Neutral)
20. The death penalty should be an option for serious crimes. (Disagree)
21. We should reduce the difficulty of immigration. (Usually agree)

22. Union workers should be protected against being fired during strikes. (Usually disagree)
23. Prostitution should be legalized. (Usually agree)
24. Flag burning should be banned. (Usually disagree)
25. I support affirmative action. (Usually agree)
26. The government should impose tariffs to protect industries from foreign competition. (Usually disagree)
27. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal if the patient is capable of informed, rational consent. (Usually agree)

*=Critical Issue

Economic score: -1.68
Social score: -5.39

Absolutely no change.  Wow.

[Northeast Representative Goldwater]

1. The right to individual autonomy is important, even if it threatens collective security. (Usually agree)
2. The government should penalize organizations that practice outsourcing. (Disagree)
3. Giving faith-based charities the same government resources as secular organizations is a good idea. (Agree)
4. We should increase foreign aid to countries struggling with poverty. (Neutral)
5. We should increase funding for education. (Neutral)

6. Heterosexual couples should receive higher marital recognition than same-sex couples. (Disagree)
7. Overall, free trade hurts more than it helps. (Disagree)
8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially. (Agree)
9. Abortion should be illegal or very heavily restricted. (Usually disagree)
10. The government should fund museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions that are unable to survive independently. (Usually disagree)

11. The government should subsidize health insurance for those who cannot easily afford it. (Usually disagree)
12. The government should work to reduce children's exposure to offensive radio and television content. (Disagree)
13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates. (Agree)
14. The minimum wage should be raised. (Disagree)
15. Marijuana should be legalized. (Agree)

16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit. (Usually agree)
17. Violating individual rights is acceptable when it comes to fighting terrorism. (Usually disagree)
18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive. (Agree)
19. The government should provide basic needs for all people. (Usually disagree)
20. The death penalty should be an option for serious crimes. (Agree)
21. We should reduce the difficulty of immigration. (Neutral)

22. Union workers should be protected against being fired during strikes. (Disagree)
23. Prostitution should be legalized. (Usually agree)
24. Flag burning should be banned. (Disagree)
25. I support affirmative action. (Disagree)
26. The government should impose tariffs to protect industries from foreign competition. (Disagree)
27. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal if the patient is capable of informed, rational consent. (Usually agree)

[TNF]

1. The right to individual autonomy is important, even if it threatens collective security. (Neutral)
2. The government should penalize organizations that practice outsourcing. (Agree)*
3. Giving faith-based charities the same government resources as secular organizations is a good idea. (Disagree)
4. We should increase foreign aid to countries struggling with poverty. (Neutral) [1]
5. We should increase funding for education. (Agree)*

6. Heterosexual couples should receive higher marital recognition than same-sex couples. (Disagree)
7. Overall, free trade hurts more than it helps. (Agree)*
8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially. (Disagree)*
9. Abortion should be illegal or very heavily restricted. (Disagree)
10. The government should fund museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions that are unable to survive independently. (Agree)

11. The government should subsidize health insurance for those who cannot easily afford it. (Agree)*
12. The government should work to reduce children's exposure to offensive radio and television content. (Neutral) [2]
13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates. (Disagree)*
14. The minimum wage should be raised. (Agree)*
15. Marijuana should be legalized. (Agree)

16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit. (Neutral) [3]
17. Violating individual rights is acceptable when it comes to fighting terrorism. (Neutral)
18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive. (Disagree)*
19. The government should provide basic needs for all people. (Agree)*
20. The death penalty should be an option for serious crimes. (Disagree)
21. We should reduce the difficulty of immigration. (Disagree)* [4]

22. Union workers should be protected against being fired during strikes. (Agree)*
23. Prostitution should be legalized. (Agree)
24. Flag burning should be banned. (Disagree)
25. I support affirmative action. (Disagree)*
26. The government should impose tariffs to protect industries from foreign competition. (Agree)*
27. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal if the patient is capable of informed, rational consent. (Agree)


[1] Is it in our foreign policy interest? If so, then I'd agree with increasing foreign aid. If not, then disagree.

[2] Give TV, Film, and Videogames the same freedom as publishers. I wouldn't necessarily oppose restricting content unsuitable for children to certain timeframes, though.

[3] Don't know what this means.

[4] I'm opposed to the current system, but I would like to admit less immigrants under a stricter criteria.

[Torie]

Heterodox.

[Governor Maxwell]

1. The right to individual autonomy is important, even if it threatens collective security. (Agree)*
2. The government should penalize organizations that practice outsourcing. (Disagree)
3. Giving faith-based charities the same government resources as secular organizations is a good idea. (Usually agree)
4. We should increase foreign aid to countries struggling with poverty. (Usually Disagree)
5. We should increase funding for education. (Usually Disagree)

6. Heterosexual couples should receive higher marital recognition than same-sex couples. (Disagree)*
7. Overall, free trade hurts more than it helps. (Disagree)*
8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially. (Usually agree)
9. Abortion should be illegal or very heavily restricted. (Disagree)*
10. The government should fund museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions that are unable to survive independently. (Usually Disagree)

11. The government should subsidize health insurance for those who cannot easily afford it. (Disagree)
12. The government should work to reduce children's exposure to offensive radio and television content. (Disagree)
13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates. (Neutral)
14. The minimum wage should be raised. (Neutral)
15. Marijuana should be legalized. (Agree)

16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit. (Agree)
17. Violating individual rights is acceptable when it comes to fighting terrorism. (Disagree)*
18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive. (Usually disagree)
19. The government should provide basic needs for all people. (Disagree)
20. The death penalty should be an option for serious crimes. (Disagree)
21. We should reduce the difficulty of immigration. (Usually agree)

22. Union workers should be protected against being fired during strikes. (Usually disagree)
23. Prostitution should be legalized. (Agree)
24. Flag burning should be banned. (Disagree)
25. I support affirmative action. (Disagree)
26. The government should impose tariffs to protect industries from foreign competition. (Disagree)*
27. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal if the patient is capable of informed, rational consent. (Usually agree)

Result:

E: +5.29
S: -7.13

[Lieutenant Governor Clinton1996]

1. The right to individual autonomy is important, even if it threatens collective security. (Usually Agree)
2. The government should penalize organizations that practice outsourcing. (Agree)
3. Giving faith-based charities the same government resources as secular organizations is a good idea. (Usually Disagree)
4. We should increase foreign aid to countries struggling with poverty. (Usually Agree)
5. We should increase funding for education. (Usually Agree)

6. Heterosexual couples should receive higher marital recognition than same-sex couples. (Disagree)
7. Overall, free trade hurts more than it helps. (Usually Agree)
8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially. (Usually Agree)
9. Abortion should be illegal or very heavily restricted. (Disagree)
10. The government should fund museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions that are unable to survive independently. (Usually Agree)

11. The government should subsidize health insurance for those who cannot easily afford it. (Agree)
12. The government should work to reduce children's exposure to offensive radio and television content. (Usually Disagree)
13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates. (Neutral)
14. The minimum wage should be raised. (Agree)
15. Marijuana should be legalized. (Agree)

16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit. (Agree)
17. Violating individual rights is acceptable when it comes to fighting terrorism. (Disagree)
18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive. (Usually Agree)
19. The government should provide basic needs for all people. (Disagree)
20. The death penalty should be an option for serious crimes. (Usually Agree)
21. We should reduce the difficulty of immigration. (Usually Agree)

22. Union workers should be protected against being fired during strikes. (Usually Disagree)
23. Prostitution should be legalized. (Disagree)
24. Flag burning should be banned. (Disagree)
25. I support affirmative action. (Neutral)
26. The government should impose tariffs to protect industries from foreign competition. (Disagree)
27. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal if the patient is capable of informed, rational consent. (Usually Disagree)

Result:

E: -0.65
S: -2.96

[Communists For McCain]

1. The right to individual autonomy is important, even if it threatens collective security. (Agree)*
2. The government should penalize organizations that practice outsourcing. (Disagree)
3. Giving faith-based charities the same government resources as secular organizations is a good idea. (Disagree)
4. We should increase foreign aid to countries struggling with poverty. (Usually Disagree)
5. We should increase funding for education. (Agree)*

6. Heterosexual couples should receive higher marital recognition than same-sex couples. (Disagree)
7. Overall, free trade hurts more than it helps. (Usually Disagree)
8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially. (Usually Agree)
9. Abortion should be illegal or very heavily restricted. (Disagree)
10. The government should fund museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions that are unable to survive independently. (Agree)*

11. The government should subsidize health insurance for those who cannot easily afford it. (Agree)*
12. The government should work to reduce children's exposure to offensive radio and television content. (Disagree)
13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates. (Disagree)
14. The minimum wage should be raised. (Usually Agree)*
15. Marijuana should be legalized. (Agree)*

16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit. (Agree)
17. Violating individual rights is acceptable when it comes to fighting terrorism. (Disagree)*
18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive. (Usually Agree)
19. The government should provide basic needs for all people. (Disagree)*
20. The death penalty should be an option for serious crimes. (Disagree)
21. We should reduce the difficulty of immigration. (Agree)*

22. Union workers should be protected against being fired during strikes. (Neutral)
23. Prostitution should be legalized. (Agree)
24. Flag burning should be banned. (Disagree)
25. I support affirmative action. (Neutral)
26. The government should impose tariffs to protect industries from foreign competition. (Disagree)
27. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal if the patient is capable of informed, rational consent. (Usually Agree)

Result:

E: -0.06
S: -8.26
[/quote]

[Undecided Voter in the Midwest]

1. The right to individual autonomy is important, even if it threatens collective security. (Agree)
2. The government should penalize organizations that practice outsourcing. (Usually disagree)
3. Giving faith-based charities the same government resources as secular organizations is a good idea. (Usually disagree)
4. We should increase foreign aid to countries struggling with poverty. (Disagree)
5. We should increase funding for education. (Neutral)

6. Heterosexual couples should receive higher marital recognition than same-sex couples. (Neutral)
7. Overall, free trade hurts more than it helps. (Neutral)
8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially. (Agree)
9. Abortion should be illegal or very heavily restricted. (Neutral)
10. The government should fund museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions that are unable to survive independently. (Usually disagree)

11. The government should subsidize health insurance for those who cannot easily afford it. (Disagree)
12. The government should work to reduce children's exposure to offensive radio and television content. (Disagree)
13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates. (Usually disagree)
14. The minimum wage should be raised. (Disagree)
15. Marijuana should be legalized. (Agree)

16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit. (Agree)
17. Violating individual rights is acceptable when it comes to fighting terrorism. (Disagree)
18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive. (Agree)
19. The government should provide basic needs for all people. (Disagree)
20. The death penalty should be an option for serious crimes. (Usually agree)
21. We should reduce the difficulty of immigration. (Neutral)

22. Union workers should be protected against being fired during strikes. (Usually disagree)
23. Prostitution should be legalized. (Usually agree)
24. Flag burning should be banned. (Disagree)
25. I support affirmative action. (Disagree)
26. The government should impose tariffs to protect industries from foreign competition. (Neutral)
27. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal if the patient is capable of informed, rational consent. (Usually disagree)

FINAL SCORE:

E: +4.65
S: -3.83

Hmm... my score's changed a bit since the first time I took it, though I can't think of any major change of heart that I've had since then...

[liberty142]

1. The right to individual autonomy is important, even if it threatens collective security. (Agree)
2. The government should penalize organizations that practice outsourcing. (Disagree)
3. Giving faith-based charities the same government resources as secular organizations is a good idea. (Agree)
4. We should increase foreign aid to countries struggling with poverty. (Disagree)
5. We should increase funding for education. (Disagree)

6. Heterosexual couples should receive higher marital recognition than same-sex couples. (Disagree)
7. Overall, free trade hurts more than it helps. (Disagree)
8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially. (Agree)
9. Abortion should be illegal or very heavily restricted. (Usually agree)
10. The government should fund museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions that are unable to survive independently. (Disagree)

11. The government should subsidize health insurance for those who cannot easily afford it. (Disagree)
12. The government should work to reduce children's exposure to offensive radio and television content. (Disagree)
13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates. (Agree)
14. The minimum wage should be raised. (Disagree)
15. Marijuana should be legalized. (Agree)

16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit. (Usually agree)
17. Violating individual rights is acceptable when it comes to fighting terrorism. (Disagree)
18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive. (Agree)
19. The government should provide basic needs for all people. (Usually disagree)
20. The death penalty should be an option for serious crimes. (Disagree)
21. We should reduce the difficulty of immigration. (Agree)

22. Union workers should be protected against being fired during strikes. (Usually disagree)
23. Prostitution should be legalized. (Agree)
24. Flag burning should be banned. (Disagree)
25. I support affirmative action. (Usually disagree)
26. The government should impose tariffs to protect industries from foreign competition. (Disagree)
27. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal if the patient is capable of informed, rational consent. (Usually agree)

[For Oklahoma]

5. We should increase funding for education. (Disagree)

8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially. (Agree)

13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates. (Agree)
14. The minimum wage should be raised. (Disagree)


16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit. (Usually agree)
18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive. (Agree)
19. The government should provide basic needs for all people. (Usually disagree)*

Bloody hell...

* = Saying just 'usually disagree' contradicts your 'agree' with the fact that Government programs should be cut back (#8)

[DolphMcCrungus]

Social Issues

Gay Marriage: While I disagree with the idea of gay marriage due to my religious beliefs, I don't think the federal government should have any say in it. Normally I would say that the states should decide for themselves but I've come to the position that the Churches should decide for themselves. If a church is okay with marrying same sex couples then let them and if a church isn't okay with marrying same sex couples then don't make them. It's really that simple.

Marijuana legalization: The war on drugs has caused border violence to escalate to levels that were previously unimaginable. I think the United States should adopt a policy that is similar to what I understand the policy of Amsterdam to be. That being that people can't just toke up in the middle of the street BUT that they can smoke on their own property and in coffee/smoke shops that allow marijuana use. "Hard" Drugs such as heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, etc. are to all remain banned.

Affirmative Action: I believe that affirmative action is an outdated idea with roots in the turbulent 1960s. While the idea of having employers hiring employees in order to give a balanced racial dynamic is indeed a noble one, I believe that it often comes at the expense of not hiring candidates that can be more qualified for the jobs.

Abortion: I am pro-life and would outlaw all abortion practices EXCEPT when the life of the mother is in danger and in cases of rape.

Death penalty: The death penalty should remain in practice for those guilty of the most heinous crimes.

To be continued..

[patd25]

Social Issues

LGBT Rights: I believe that though the states should be allowed to separately decide marriage laws, they should not have the right to prevent equal protection under hate crimes, employment discrimination and adoption rights.

Abortion: I'm a bit neutral on abortion. I don't think states like Arkansas and North Dakota should go through with such strict laws and women should have a right to their bodies, but I also feel that abortion should only take place when the mother's life is in danger.

The Drug War: This war has gotten too expensive and needs to be ended. While hard drugs like heroin, cocaine, and LSD should still be illegal. Marijuana should be allowed to be smoked in a person's property or in shops that allow it.

Death Penalty: Life sentence is completely rational, but sometimes, the most heinous crimes need to punished with death. However, this should only happen once every ounce of evidence has been completely proven so that innocent people do not get killed.

To be continued...

[TNF]

Domestic Issues

Labor Relations: I support the immediate passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, as well as efforts currently being made to make labor organizing a civil right. I oppose attacks on labor unions at the state and local levels, and support amending the National Labor Relations Act to protect the right of public sector, domestic, agricultural, and supervisory workers to organize and collectively bargain. In addition, I support repealing the Taft-Hartley Act and banning the use of scabs by employers when workers go out on strike. Fundamentally, I believe that labor unions should be involved in tripartite economic planning involving business and government, and support requiring labor representation on corporate boards.

Labor Standards: I support the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act and the implementation of a nationwide wage theft law modeled on Chicago's wage theft ordinance. Furthermore, I support expanding coverage of overtime pay to all wage earners in the country, while also requiring time-and-a-half be paid to any employee that works on the weekend and double-time paid to any employee that works a federal holiday. I support mandating paid vacations, paid sick leave, paid parental leave, and paid long service leave. I favor linking the minimum wage to productivity, with increases implemented as worker productivity rises. I also favor the gradual implementation of a 30 hour workweek with no loss in pay.

Taxes: I support a more progressive income tax structure that taxes capital gains at the same rate as regular income, closing tax loopholes that encourage offshoring (among others), and increases the corporate tax rate. I further support allowing the IRS to pre-fill tax returns, cracking down on individual and corporate tax dodgers, and linking the threshold at which the highest income tax bracket kicks in (ideally something like 78% as a top rate) at 30 times the rate of a two person household working full time at minimum wage (i.e. at the current minimum wage rate, that 78% top rate would be applied to all income over $904,800). I favor ending the tax exemption for churches and tax free foundations.

Immigration: I support ending the 'family reunification' bias inherent in American immigration law and instead support the implementation of a points-based, skills-based system that will admit more highly skilled immigrants in crucial sectors. I support a path to citizenship for the millions of undocumented workers already in the country, as well as support the implementation of the DREAM Act. I support tough penalties for employers that knowingly hire undocumented workers, as well as the implementation of the E-Verify system nationwide to prevent the future hiring of undocumented workers. I also support increased funding for ESL (English-as-a-Second-Language) programs, for reasons Frodo noted above.

Elementary and Secondary Education: I support full federal funding for public schooling and a ban on both homeschooling and private schools, with students being sent to schools based upon a random lottery of local schools, rather than designated arbitrarily by school district lines. I oppose the use of merit pay, efforts to undermine teachers' unions, and efforts to eliminate teacher tenure. I favor an explicit ban on charter schools and voucher programs, and favor adopting the basic tenants of the Finnish education system in the United States. I support paying teachers as well as we pay lawyers and doctors, and support reducing class sizes to a 15:1 ratio. I support divorcing school from sport and support more funds being spent on the arts and social studies, as well as more funding for school clubs and student organizations.

More to come later.

[white trash heroes]

1. The right to individual autonomy is important, even if it threatens collective security.

disagree. i'm not even sure 'rights' really exist other than as social constructs. regardless communities are under no obligation to accept everyone. if you are a free loader or not willing to assimilate or just generally a nuisance then they should be able to kick you out. actually i'd argue if society was more 'tribal' and monocultural in general like that we might actually have more freedom and personal happiness than we do now rather than less. i suppose part of my sympathy towards radical ideas like demarchy lately stems from that.

2. The government should penalize organizations that practice outsourcing.

agree.

3. Giving faith-based charities the same government resources as secular organizations is a good idea.

agree

4. We should increase foreign aid to countries struggling with poverty.

disagree. it is often hugely wasteful, counterproductive (e.g. food aid driving local farms out of business), and frankly 'saving' is not any country's job. governments should focus solely on their own countries. the only exceptions i can think of are basically just trying to prevent a refugee crisis or helping a business partner or something practical like that.

5. We should increase funding for education.

agree kind of. teachers should be paid more and schools shouldn't be funded through property tax. on the other hand i think people spend too much time in school. so certain things like senior year should be abolished.

6. Heterosexual couples should receive higher marital recognition than same-sex couples.

marriage has never been about 'equality.' it has to do with trying to favor some lifestyles over others with benefits and privileges (e.g. married life over being single). if we are going to accept that a ) marriage has nothing to do with promoting the nuclear family and b ) people should be treated equally then i think government should just get out of marriage entirely. also i hate what 'no fault divorce' and the anti-male bias in family courts has done to our society.

7. Overall, free trade hurts more than it helps.

agree, there's a reason protectionism was embraced by virtually every industrialized power in history. plus the 'comparative advantage' argument doesn't really make sense given how mobile capital is.

8. We should reduce the number of government programs substantially.

agree but mostly in the sense that there's a ton of corporate welfare programs out there and duplication going on.

9. Abortion should be illegal or very heavily restricted

agree. i support heartbeat laws.

10. The government should fund museums, theaters, and other cultural institutions that are unable to survive independently.

in theory agree, in practice a lot of it is obviously way too degenerate though.

11. The government should subsidize health insurance for those who cannot easily afford it.

i don't really think insurance is a great model but yes, obviously i support universal healthcare. i think single payer would be best.

12. The government should work to reduce children's exposure to offensive radio and television content.

agree obviously.

13. It is unfair that wealthier people pay higher tax rates.

disagree, tax rates are way too low. to say nothing of the crooks and parasites on wall street.

14. The minimum wage should be raised.

agree, raise it to ~$15.

15. Marijuana should be legalized.

agree and aggressively promote hemp use.

16. Society focuses too much on forcing equality at the expense of real merit

agree to an extent.

17. Violating individual rights is acceptable when it comes to fighting terrorism.

again i don't really like how this question is framed but i disagree anyway because of the rule of law and not wanting the state turning on its own citizens and all that. on the other hand to some extent modern surveillance is probably unavoidable...

18. Current levels of government regulation on industry are excessive.

agree, we have way too many laws and regulations to keep track of (over criminalization). and a lot of these regulations exist solely because big business lobbied for them to stamp out their competitors not the other way around (regulatory capture).

19. The government should provide basic needs for all people.

kind of vague. my instinct is to say no because there are limits to our resources. and you don't want to encourage parasitism or otherwise create perverse incentives. on the other hand i could support replacing social security and most welfare programs with something like a negative income tax or guaranteed income as milton friedman once suggested. and there is a major problem in terms of long term unemployment/underemployment...

20. The death penalty should be an option for serious crimes.

agree. someone that burns an old lady to death on an elevator or kills an 8 year old child in a bombing just to prove a point should be shot. we shouldn't expend resources on such complete monsters or put other people's lives at risk out of some misguided humanist belief.

21. We should reduce the difficulty of immigration.

disagree. go back to the pre-1965 immigration policy or something similar.

22. Union workers should be protected against being fired during strikes.

agree, we need more unions and profit-sharing in general.

23. Prostitution should be legalized.

disagree. i could get into arguments about it failing to root out the black market or address the undesirability of being a prostitute sure... but honestly what it boils down to is that i just don't want to live in a community where that sort of thing is tolerated. but if you do then whatever.

24. Flag burning should be banned.

kind of agree although i have no attachment to what the current flag stands for obviously.

25. I support affirmative action.

disagree. if it exists it should be based on income level rather than race or gender. although to be honest considering i may very well have benefitted from affirmative action schemes i feel somewhat hypocritical here.

26. The government should impose tariffs to protect industries from foreign competition.

agree

27. Physician-assisted suicide should be legal if the patient is capable of informed, rational consent.

agree. if you have a terminal illness then choosing death with dignity should definitely be an option. i would much rather be euthanized than suffer a slow and degrading death. i know someone whose mother is slowly dying from face cancer. the thought of being forced to endure something like that or alzheimers or any number of other ailments because of a bunch of do-gooders is terrifying.

[Communists For McCain]

Economic Positions:

Something Something Evil Socialist

Debt: Is perhaps the greatest advantage Government has.  However, with unjustified wars, corporate welfare, American empire, and fiscal policies that fly in the face of logic it has gotten to unacceptable levels.  We don't need to kill grandma or your kids to fix this, we need to kill imperialism.  Once we're a power that respects national self-determination of others and stick true to the principles of keeping government out of the business of subsidizing industry, don't be so surprised to see a large number of our debt problems go away.
Education: More funding for public education.  Axe out federally funded "vouchers" for private schools.  There are public schools for a reason and having some "voucher" program, espoused by of all people libertarians, makes little sense.  If the government is paying a family money to send their kid to a private institution, is it really a private institution?
Healthcare: Universal Healthcare.  The whole nine yards.  The fact that this is still a question disturbs me.  Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.
Labor Rights: All too often when talking of the rights of us as Americans, many fail to realize just how much our modern society owes to the labor movements of the 19th-20th centuries.  The austerity craze sweeping not just this nation but many other nations is quite evident that labor rights have taken a back seat in many cases.  With all the fancy talking over, here are a few of my positions related to this issue:
Minimum Wage: It's called "Minimum Wage" for a reason.  Paying "tipped" employees as low as $2.13 an hour makes absolutely zero sense except to create a culture of guilt for those employed in those industries.  If I tip a waiter, I want to do it because they did a good job, not because I worry about how they can survive on such miserable pre-tip earnings.  And don't give me any of that crap about "well it'll cost the owners too much!"  or "prices will skyrocket!"  Plenty of other businesses seem to do just fine paying their employees only $7.25, the current minimum, which should really be indexed for inflation.
Mandated Breaks: Not sure if this is law, but each employee working eight hours or longer should be guaranteed at least one hour long break.  This is necessary due to the nature of many jobs that require such hours.  Employers who work their employees to death should be reprimanded, not rewarded.
Work Place Safety: Basic compliance with workplace safety laws.  Fire escapes, ventilation, what have you.  Cutting corners on this issue to save a few bucks is unacceptable.
Unions: No non-union worker should be forced to pay union dues.  Workers have the right to form a union in any occupation they please.  Companies that forbid the formation of such unions are forbidding the right of the workers' freedom of association.  Uphold the right to secret ballot.  Seniority rules are flawed, but should be left up to the individual unions to address.
Social Welfare: If current times have taught us anything it is that a strong social safety net is a necessity.  In favor of expansion of unemployment, food card, low income housing, and various miscellaneous programs for those down on their luck.  Increase the amount of time one qualifies for unemployment benefits, as current economic realities show that many people go beyond the traditional 26 week period.  Prosecute discriminatory practices by welfare offices (both federal and statewide) that affect welfare recipients adversely.
Taxation: Current structure is acceptable.  For now.  However, I would prefer a most just taxation system based on Georgian economic principles of general public ownership of the land.  That is, replacing all forms of income taxation (since it taxes the labor of the populace) with a progressive Land Values Tax.  Hopefully, such a plan would yield less disparity between rich and poor.
Trade: Nothing short of free trade.  I realize this is a controversial position for a left winger now days, but really I feel it is the only left wing position one can take considering the tendencies of corporate greed.  People who think that using protective tariffs is going to help American workers are fools, history has shown that companies protected by heavy tariffs prefer to instead pocket the extra profits soaked out of the pockets of workers.  I say we make these robber barons compete on an even playing field with the competition without suffering the lower classes.  We used to have a powerful labor rights segment in society, maybe it's time we revived it.  Thinking that tariffs would force a country to rethink it's labor policies is also bunk, considering how little effect it has had in China.  Hell, we've banned trade with Cuba for fifty years and we look like the bad guys!  More on that later.  Protectionist trade has no place in the world of the 21st century.  This is one instance where, shocker, the free market is right.  However, I wouldn't be opposed to punishing American business that outsource labor to countries with lax labor rights.

I think that's all for tonight.  More to come later.

[Communists For McCain]

Environmental and Energy Issues:

Anti-Automobile Warrior Climate Hater

Alternative Energy: All for.  We need to boost investments in developing new sources of energy in addition to those that are already being pursued.  Wind, Solar, Geothermal, and yes even Nuclear need to be pursued as alternatives to the US addiction to Coal and Oil.  Clean Coal is hilarious, but probably a little better than Not Clean Coal I guess.  Same thing for alternative fuels.  Plain unleaded with 10% ethanol is just not enough (in fact, I would argue it's more trouble than it's worth) to address the problems with traditional oil.  Same thing with feel good Hybrid cars, which while offering more miles to the gallon ultimately does little to address the real issue at hand: consumption.  Looking at a lower gasoline bill of $30 instead of say $72 usually leads to two things: 1) Look at how much money I saved on gas!  Hooray, which leads directly to 2) Driving is so much cheaper now that I got this Hybrid I can do it more and more and more!
See, the process?
Now, ideas like the Electric car sound good in theory, until we take in consideration the energy usage it would take to recharge these cars.  Granted, Electric automobiles have gotten more efficient since the horror days when they had to be charged all day to go 90 miles.  However, this brings up another problem that will arise in the future: energy cost inflation.  I'm no expert, but I bet that charging a freaking thousand pound car (conservative estimate) probably costs a bit more than powering your PS3 or phone.
So you ask, Mechaman, if you are such a naysayer of almost all forms of automobile usage currently available, what would you recommend?  Well, a few things:
1) Use Research Development to find a way to create a cheap and efficient way to produce a Solar powered car.  This is not a 100% foolproof solution, given that some areas on the planet receive very little sunlight.  In that case perhaps there needs to be a way to convert wind, hydrogen, earth, or other common resources into a readily available source of energy.  I am not fool enough to believe that a Solar car capable of going 150 mph available for $30,000 is possible in ten years.  Hopefully someday though it will work for people in sparsely populated areas devoid of public transport, which brings me to point
2) Enormous public transport budget, including the development of a National High Speed Rail Program.  Might end up being the most expensive public works program in history, but necessary for the future conservation of resources for better purpose than to soothe our addiction to the automobile.  Some user fees might be necessary, but largely would like to see this funded by heavy unleaded gasoline taxes (I'm thinking maybe 50 cents a gallon).  However, if sane fiscal policies are followed (more on that later), worries of currency manipulation and the like in response to such a grandiose program could be avoided.
I'll readily admit that I don't know if this would all work.  Just a few ideas.
The Climate Change debate: I'll be real honest, this issue might be dead last out of all the ones I will address in this section.  I do believe that Climate Change is real, however I don't believe the way it's being addressed at the moment is the right course.  Paranoia is not helping address the issue, and there needs to be more than just buying green products or banning incandescent lightbulbs to address this issue.  More to the point, I believe the focus of the debate needs to be changed.  People aren't so thrilled to have religious fundamentalist wackjobs telling everyone the world is going to end and we're all f***ed, why do they think the doomsday mantra will rally people to act on the Climate Change front?  At this point, I don't think Climate Change can be avoided thus the best strategy should be follow a more logical strategy: preparing the nation, and the world, for surviving Climate Change.  I believe that people would be more willing to go with green taxes and the like if they are given the impression that yes, this is going to suck a bit but we can survive, versus the current "REFORM OR DIE!" mentality of the advocates.  Appealing to people's optimism is way better than using the politics of fear as a highly ranked president once stated: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."  If Climate Change really is as horrible as advocates claim, last thing we need is a panic stricken populace.
Parks and Recreation: Reduce some public land ownership out west.  At the same time, increase enforcement of standards in upholding National Parks and other areas.  Support Urban Green Zones and even some Urban Farming.

Wow, only a few issues.  Maybe more will come up later

[Communists For McCain]

Social Issues:

Anti-Bloomberg Liberal

Women's Reproductive Issues: I'm not a woman, therefore I don't feel in a position to tell them what to do with their bodies.  I can't imagine what it's like to have an abortion, but I bet it's not like going to get groceries at the local IGA.  Nor should it be.  Abortion isn't exactly a thing I approve, but the alternative sets a much worse precedent (government mandate on controlling an individual's body).  In a phrase: Safe, Legal, and Rare.  Birth Control should be readily available and affordable, for obvious reason.
Firearms: I am a Constitutional Liberal.  I believe that possession of firearms is a Constitutionally protected right and should be protected as such.  I agree with the Heller decision, gun bans are unconstitutional and should be overturned.  However, I wouldn't be wholly opposed to gun regulations like limiting the size of magazine clips or child locks on guns, given the whole "well regulated militia" bit.  Draconian measures, like a National Gun Registry, I oppose on principle to similar slippery slope as alluded to in the Abortion segment.  Sure, in the event of a revolution an AK-47 isn't going to help at all against tanks and F-17s, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't be wary of a government with information on all legal gun owners in the nation.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco: All fall under the category of "vice".  In most of these cases the decision to partake in these vices are of a conscious choice.  And considering the amount of public health information on the hazards of these vices, I find it hard to believe that many engage in these activities out of pure ignorance.  The war on Marijuana and other soft drugs must end with legalization and regulation similar to laws on tobacco.  In favor of reducing the Alcohol age down to 18 years, as the 21 age limit has done very little to actually reduce underage alcohol consumption.  Tobacco is a deadly substance that has proven side effects that lead to cancer from both first hand and second hand smoking.  I am against the banning of smoking Tobacco for the same reasons I support Alcohol and Marijuana.  It is a free choice and people who partake of it are more than often well aware of the dangers posed by it.  However, I do approve of establishments that ban the smoking of such a product in public spaces and would agree with policies that prosecute smokers that smoke in establishments that disallow it.  Also okay with advertising regulations and warning labels.  Same thing for Marijuana and Alcohol.  Mostly, I support common sense regulations on these vices and the right of individuals and businesses to allow/disallow the partaking of these activities on their own grounds.  Support of the decriminalization of hard drugs.  Penalties, of course, should be minimum.
Euthanasia: Lightly approve.  I agree with the principle of it, but believe that there needs to be a well regulated legal process in regards to it to avoid abuse of the system.  My fear mostly is that some might abuse the system to get away with murder thus leading to increased crime and prosecution costs.
Equality: I won't say what has already been said by 90% of the people on this forum.  Full equality for LGBT individuals.  Duh duh duh.
Crime and Punishment: Death penalty must be abolished!  It's unethical, immoral, and makes little sense.  In favor of a more reform minded jail system that puts convicts to work and addresses the mental factors that drove them towards crime.  And for the love Gul, give them some half decent food.  Really, look at the policies of Scandinavia to get an idea of my ideal system.
Freedom of Speech: Flag burning is an act of free speech and should be protected.  So to is the throwing around of racial, ethnic, sexual slurs.  So to is the right to condemn people who do.  We need to abolish the FCC, which really has no purpose beyond being a board of censorship on the airwaves.  Parents can regulate their own children and don't need a government appointed nanny commission to do so.  $250,000 fines for saying the word "fuck" on national tv is an excessive fine.  The networks seem to do well enough on their own self-regulating and have in the process made censorship agencies virtually useless.
Freedom of Religion: The proliferation of religious bias in legislation and law is getting out of control.  People's personal religious beliefs are all too often negatively affecting the direction of this country.  The Government exists by the Bill of Rights to neither enforce or prohibit the exercise of religious values.  We need Supreme Court rulings that enforce the 1st Amendment more clearly and limits such activism in government.  I fully support students saying prayers at high school graduation, manger scenes, and even voicing religiously motivated opinions on controversial issues.  What I don't approve of those people using government as a platform to enforce those values over those of others.  The way this is worded is likely to get some opposition.
Civil Liberties: Need to be strongly enforced in this age of government onslaught and interventionism.  In these times of conflict and strife the right to a warranted search needs to be a guarantee, as should the right to due process.  Ideas like drones patrolling the skies for people going five over the speed limit in West Texas is more than intrusive on liberty.  It's simply freaking overkill and such things should be avoided.  And the people deserve assurances, court rulings, and various other methods to assure that at any moment they can't be f***Ing arrested or killed by their government without proper process.  It's a shame that his is a low priority for the American Left when it should be one of the top issues promoted by us to combat corporatist neoconservatism.  We should be trying to win over libertarians genuinely concerned by the expansion of government power in prosecuting private citizens, not condemning them as seems to be the trend.

More might be coming.

[PeteHam]

Social Issues

Abortion/Women's Health

• Keep abortion legal, if not only for the sake of safety of the procedure. It may be immoral, but that's not my place to judge.
• Contraception is completely fine. Expand access.
• Publicly fund stem cell research
• Safe sex education is good
• The "wage pay gap" does not exist due to discrimination.

LGBT Issues

• Civil unions legally, but make marriage legal for any church that wishes to grant them.

• Include sexual orientation in hate crime laws

Drugs

• Legalize the sale of Marijuana, but make it illegal to buy under 21
• Decriminalize other drugs, unless they are deemed a legitimate public safety risk

Prostitution

• Legalize it
• Require STD checkups

Guns/Crime

• Look, what part of "shall not be infringed" do you not understand?
• Support background checks to an extent. If you have ever, ever been convicted for any kind of violent crime, ever, you can not own a gun.

Education

• Public schools a great idea but don't work very well. It's too late at this point to go back, though.
• Repeal NCLB

Immigration

• Are you a US citizen, legal immigrant, refugee, tourist, or legal non-citizen resident? No? Out with you.
• Oppose automatic amnesty
• "Diversity" is total bull.
• Voluntary racial segregation. Adopt the David Duke policy of allowing a community to define themselves as "white only" or "black only" or "asian only".

Euthanasia

• Legalize it at consent of both patient and doctor.

Church and State

• Make it legal for a student to pray in school if they want to.
• The state must be entirely secular in policy, but superficial references to religion are okay

Economic Issues

Affirmative Action

• Completely delete. There should be no quotas whatsoever.
• Oppose equal pay legislation because it makes discrimination easier and cheaper for the discriminator (see: Milton Friedman's excellent "Case Against Fair Pay")

Free Trade

• Free trade is the best idea if everyone gets in on it, but since the entire world isn't going to, protections are necessary to ensure fair competition

Health Care

• Medicare for all. Do not allow any "opt-out".

Welfare

• "Workfare" is the best likely solution.

Minimum Wage

• Minimum wage should not exist on a federal level because it is unconstitutional
• Any state wishing to establish a minimum wage should make it low, and exempt small businesses.

Taxes

• Remove the income tax and replace with a 10% national sales tax.
• Alternately, drop the income tax to a 9% flat rate, 12.5% for anyone making over 2.5 million dollars a year from any source. None of this business about taxing capital gains higher.
• You don't pay any tax if you make less than 20,000 a year.

Regulations

• Re-evaluate government regulations; some are necessary, but others have the tendency to benefit large corporations at the expense of small businesses

Spending Cuts

• Pass Rand Paul's budget, balancing the budget in five years' time

Energy

• Go green, regardless of if global warming is a thing. No regrets.

Social Security

• Transform into an opt-in system.
• Do. Not. Touch. The. Money. Stop stealing from SS and it will fund itself.

Unions

• Public-sector unions have outlived their legitimate usefulness and do not properly serve their members. They are literally a political thuggery operation intended to skim money from politicians and boss the government around, making the taxpayers slaves to their pensions.
• Private unions are alright, but must be balanced so as to prevent massive inflation

Foreign Policy/Defense

PATRIOT ACT

• Repeal now.

Afghanistan & Iraq

• Completely get out right now.

Israel/Palestine

• Cease all support and aid for Israel immediately.
• Don't send money or aid to either side (unconstitutional), but publicly side with Palestine.

Iran

• Do absolutely nothing as they pose no threat to our security.

Syria

• Get out.

Military Spending

• Pull out ~80% of our military presence worldwide. Keep embassies and such open and operational, but stop erecting military bases everywhere.
• Cut defense by 35% or more

Electoral Issues/Government

Voter Regulations/ID Cards

• Didn't pay any tax? You can't vote. You have to present proof that you paid taxes in the last year in order to vote, otherwise democracy simply becomes an implicit form of socialism.
• The national referendum as proposed by Fmr. Senator Mike Gravel should be a thing.

Electoral College

• Abolish the electoral college.
• Instant Runoff Voting is the best system.

Washington D.C.

• Let citizens decide by referendum whether to become absorbed by VA or MD, become a state, or stay an independent district.

Puerto Rico

• Support independence.

Senate

• Term limits to two terms.