Politics of SWRP

[Dr. Jake]

Issue 2, to reflect my sudden change in policies.


Social and Political Issues:

Abortion: Mixed (Oppose in most cases)
Gay Marriages/Civil Unions: Support
Misc. Gay Rights (Adoption, Mil. Service, etc.): Support
Legal Gender Change: Oppose
1st Amendment Rights: Support
2nd Amendment Rights: Mixed (support assault weapons ban)
10th Amendment (States') Rights: Support
Patriotism: Support
Federalism: Support
Unitarianism (Unitary State): Oppose
Current Political System: Mixed
Current Presidential Election Method: Support
Affirmative Action: Oppose
Gender Equality: Support
Recreational Marijuana Legalization: Support
Other Recreational Drug Legalization: Mixed (regulated heavily)
Immigration*: Simplify the process, make it easier and cheaper to enter the United States and become a citizen.

Economic Issues:

ObamaCare: Mixed
Social Welfare: Mixed
Social Security: Support
Medicare and Medicaid: Support
Other Government Entitlements:Mixed
Progressive Taxation: Mixed
Flat Taxation: Oppose
Capital Gains: Mixed
Cap and Trade: Oppose
Other Gov't Action for Environment: Mixed
Socialism: Mixed
Capitalism: Support
Government Intervention (Safety/ Regulations): Support
Government Intervention (General): Mixed
Debt Ceiling: Nominally Support
Chinese Debt*: Just another debt to be paid when we have the money. Said money is to be raised by military and foreign aid cuts, tax rises for the top 10% income bracket, and more.

Foreign and Military Issues

US assistance to Israel: Support
US Sanctions on Iran: Support (as long as it keeps the peace)
Russia*: Wary trade agreement and political alliances, lure them to our sphere rather than China's.
China*: A rising power we should be wary of. We need a small tariff for goods from China to encourage producers to manufacture in the United States. Also, stricter regulations on Chinese imports.
Cuba*: We need to open diplomatic relations and drop the embargo. The Pseudo-Communism of the island will fade with the death of the Castros, and a more democratic government will spring up.
NATO: Support
EU: Mixed
US Operations in Afghanistan: Oppose
Spcl. Immigration & Transportation with Can. and Mex.: Support
US Support of Global Democracy: Support
US Mil. Intervention in General (except above field): Mixed

[kermit]

I consider myself a democratic socialist (NOT a communist!).

Social and Political Issues:

Abortion: Support
Gay Marriages/Civil Unions: Support
Misc. Gay Rights (Adoption, Mil. Service, etc.): Support
Legal Gender Change: Support
1st Amendment Rights: Support
2nd Amendment Rights: Support
10th Amendment (States') Rights: Mixed
Patriotism: Is this a trick question?
Federalism: Support
Unitarianism (Unitary State): N.I.
Current Political System: Against
Current Presidential Election Method: Against
Affirmative Action: Mixed
Gender Equality: Support
Recreational Marijuana Legalization: Against
Other Recreational Drug Legalization:Against
Immigration*: If you live in America, pay your taxes and follow the laws, you must be an American.

Economic Issues:

ObamaCare: Support
Social Welfare: Support
Social Security: Support
Medicare and Medicaid: Support
Other Government Entitlements: Support
Progressive Taxation: Mixed
Flat Taxation: Support
Capital Gains: Against
Cap and Trade: Mixed
Other Gov't Action for Environment: Support
Socialism: Support
Capitalism: Against
Government Intervention (Safety/ Regulations): Mixed
Government Intervention (General): Mixed
Debt Ceiling: N.I.
Chinese Debt*: Our debt with China is MESSED UP. We need to pay it off, then end all economic relations with China to ensure we don't mess it up any further.

Foreign and Military Issues

US assistance to Israel: Mixed
US Sanctions on Iran: Against
Russia*: We both need to disarm ALL of our nuclear weapons.
China*: Nuclear disarm and cut all economic relations.
Cuba*: The embargo is outdated and needs to end NOW.
NATO: Support
EU: Support
US Operations in Afghanistan: Against
Spcl. Immigration & Transportation with Can. and Mex.: N.I.
US Support of Global Democracy: Against
US Mil. Intervention in General (except above field): Against
Syria: A short UN operation should do the trick. Besides, Syria threatening attackers with chemical weapons seems a little reckless, especially since the most likely candidates (USA and Israel) both have a missile defense system and nuclear weapons.

I wish I could just talk about the issues instead of just saying weather I support it or not. I could go on about immigration, for example, for HOURS.

[Dr. Jake]

How about the DREAM Act? Personally, I support the plan. As long as they have a clean record, decent grades, and speak some form of English. That's just my view on the issue.

[Grumpy Panda]

Preface: Some call me one side of the line or the other, but in a range finder where 75 is far left and 225 is far right, I find myself around 150. So I like to ride the line. I like to consider all sides even if some sides may not affect me. Libertarian? Centrist? Fiscal Democrat? Crazy honest man who hates politicians? Sure.

If I put an asterisk, that means I may have more to say.

Social and Political Issues:

Abortion:Mixed
Gay Marriages/Civil Unions:N.I.
Misc. Gay Rights (Adoption, Mil. Service, etc.):N/A
Legal Gender Change:Oppose
1st Amendment Rights:Support
2nd Amendment Rights:Support
10th Amendment (States') Rights:Mixed
Patriotism:support
Federalism:Support
Unitarianism (Unitary State):oppose
Current Political System:mixed
Current Presidential Election Method:oppose
Affirmative Action:oppose*
Gender Equality:Support*
Recreational Marijuana Legalization:Support*
Other Recreational Drug Legalization:Support*
Immigration*:indecisive

Economic Issues:

ObamaCare:Mixed
Social Welfare:mixed
Social Security:mixed
Medicare and Medicaid:mixed
Other Government Entitlements:?
Progressive Taxation:oppose*
Flat Taxation:support*
(I personally believe the taxing of people is illegal according to our constitution. Also a great way to get the IRS to leave you alone.)
Capital Gains:?
Cap and Trade:mixed
Other Gov't Action for Environment:?
Socialism:support
Capitalism:support
Government Intervention (Safety/ Regulations):support
Government Intervention (General):mixed
Debt Ceiling:Eh? Maybe we should be responsible spenders. (Oh snap I said the "R" word."
Chinese Debt*: If we were more responsible we probably wouldn't have this issue. Now that we do, we should probably pay it off asap.



Foreign and Military Issues

US assistance to Israel:support
US Sanctions on Iran:oppose
Russia*:Diplomacy, not aggression.
China*:Diplomacy. Standards.
Cuba*:Why are they still important?
NATO:An organization that holds 7/10 of the word's defense spending. I feel it more of an exclusive mile-high club than much else now.
EU: A bunch of countries thrust together in one organization that seems oddly similar and rivaled to the United States, seems legit. Too bad they're countries with history and not states. I support Switzerland...wait, they're not part of it.
US Operations in Afghanistan:I suppose I support the humanitarian side. Too bad that's generally up to the people.
Spcl. Immigration & Transportation with Can. and Mex.:mixed
US Support of Global Democracy:Sure, if we can do it through diplomacy.
US Mil. Intervention in General (except above field):Our military is spread far enough. Maybe we would have less issue if we focused more on real resolution rather than bombs and money. I grew up with a military family and support the military wholeheartedly (except obama's drones), but we look like bullies. We cannot police the world. Hell, we can't even police ourselves. I am not suggesting isolationism, but rather a scale back from where we are.

[Dr. Jake]

I likey! Nice to see another moderate out here, though I think I'm slightly left of you.

[Grumpy Panda]

For the most part I seem moderate. I do have some strange outlying views. For example, I support gender equality, but I do not support feminism. From all the feminists I've had to deal with, the term to me has been defined by solving gender inequality by focusing solely on the problems of one side. Gee, that sounds quite equal. Men don't have issues at all I suppose.

Also, being against affirmative action causes people to think I'm racist. Again, I understand the goal of the program, but I feel it works in a way that people term as reverse racism (I just call it racism all around). I'm half asian and I show it, so I'm not some cookie cutter middle class white business owner saying this.

Other things I take issue with: fafsa, post-secondary education, jail, housing

[Raytheon]

Social and Political Issues:

Personally I'm of the Authoritarian view on government I'd much rather prefer a constitutional monarchy than the current slowed democracy.

Abortion: Oppose
Gay Marriages/Civil Unions: Support
Misc. Gay Rights (Adoption, Mil. Service, etc.): Support
Legal Gender Change:Support
1st Amendment Rights:Support
2nd Amendment Rights:Support
10th Amendment (States') Rights:Support
Patriotism:Support
Federalism:Oppose
Unitarianism (Unitary State): Support
Current Political System: Mixed
Current Presidential Election Method:Oppose
Affirmative Action: Support
Gender Equality: Mixed
Scientific fact women and men are better are certain things than the other, females pilots can handle g-forces better than male pilots for example.
Recreational Marijuana Legalization: Support
Legalized and taxes marijuana would bring in HUGE revenues to the government and also negated money spent on marijuana enforcement.
Other Recreational Drug Legalization: Mixed
Some drugs need to stay out of peoples hands, heroin etc..
Immigration*: Support
All immigrants should have the opportunity to immediately become american citizens through compulsory military or civil service to the country for a minimal amount of years, my personal opinion 5 years.

Economic Issues:

ObamaCare: Oppose
Social Welfare: Mixed
Should be more heavily regulated
Social Security: Mixed
Should be more heavily regulated
Medicare and Medicaid: Support
Other Government Entitlements: Mixed
Progressive Taxation: Support
Flat Taxation: Mixed
should be implemented in time of great excess or great deficit
Capital Gains:mixed
Cap and Trade:mixed
Other Gov't Action for Environment:Support
Socialism: Oppose
Capitalism: Mixed
Should have alot more regulations i.e. corporate bonuses, federal spending.
Government Intervention (Safety/ Regulations):support
Government Intervention (General): support
Debt Ceiling:support
Chinese Debt*: mixed

Foreign and Military Issues

US assistance to Israel: Oppose
US Sanctions on Iran: Oppose
Russia*:Mixed
China*: Mixed
Cuba*:Support
NATO:Mixed
EU:Mixed
US Operations in Afghanistan:Oppose
Spcl. Immigration & Transportation with Can. and Mex.: support
US Support of Global Democracy:Oppose
US Mil. Intervention in General (except above field): Oppose

Basically we should refer to a single policy, I'll refer to as MOOB Policy. (Mind our own Business) and will answer those questions more in depth.

US assistance to Israel: I don't see why we should assist them in anyway, we've wasted tax monies and paper to write treaties to promote peace with them other middle eastern countries I say enough is enough and kick this bird out of the next to fly on it's own for better or for worse. MOOB
US Sanctions on Iran: Refer to my MOOB policy, even IF they are making a nuclear bomb we're are quite hypocritical since we have a surplus of around roughly 100 of them and that's a low number.
Russia*:Mixed
They are Russia, it's best to keep them close an dyet not too far.
China*: Mixed
given they have an amazing economy, and we happen to owe them alot of money again keep them close and observe.
Cuba*:Support
We've had an embargo on this country for quite some time, we should mend hurt feelings now.
NATO:Mixed
I don't feel we need to fall to the dictations of the NATO organization, given our military standing (U.S.A) however am not opposed to a seat within it. It sounds selfish but it's true.
EU:Mixed
I honestly have no opinion.
US Operations in Afghanistan:Why are we here? seriously... MOOB
Spcl. Immigration & Transportation with Can. and Mex.: support
As neighboring countries we should be supportive.
US Support of Global Democracy:Oppose
Refer to MOOB Policy.
US Mil. Intervention in General (except above field): Oppose
Refer to MOOB Policy.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

So, watching the debate, I was disheartened by something. I'm a bit of a middle-east buff. I studied the region a bit at Georgetown, took a class under John Esposito. In case you don't know him, he's an expert on the Islamic world.

The bottom line is that I'm displeased at the way both parties are handling Iran.

1. There's no proof Iran wants nuclear weapons. It took the United States three years to build a nuke, when it had never been done before. Iran has supposedly been wanting nuclear weapons since what, 2001? 2002? Additionally, the Ayatollahs issued a fatwa (religious ruling) condemning nuclear weapons as against Islam. That means having nukes is a sin in Iran. Now tell me, why should I believe they want nuclear weapons when they haven't developed them yet?

2. Ahmadinejad never said he wanted to wipe Israel off the map. He said "The regime occupying Al Quds must vanish from this page in time," which is a phrase he also used to describe the Soviet Union, the Shah's Iran, and the Baathist government in Iraq. You will notice none of those other examples were obliterated in any way, shape, or form. They were simply replaced by different governments.

3. The US, France, Britain, China, India, North Korea, Israel,and Pakistan all have nukes. None of these countries have used them. Additionally, there are many more countries that have nuclear power. We don't get the luxury of marching around and telling other countries what power sources they can and cannot use. It's ridiculous.

Why exactly is it we should all be afraid of Iran?

[Rugs]

watching the debate

Sums it up. Missed the aggression last week. That was fun.

[Grumpy Panda]

Aye, Lmr, and even if the president of Iran and the Ayatollah wanted to nuke israel, in terms of power they are only as high as twelve on this list of people with power in Iran. For some reason people forget that Iran has some sort legislature. I do believe they have jewish people, albeit persian jews, in that legislature too.

I ran won't go nuking another country like they say they will just like North Korea isn't about to bomb the U.S. Both countries now good and well that such actions would get them turned into the world's biggest parking lots.

Most Iranians I've met are more worried about their own livelihoods than the fate of Israel anyways.

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

This seems a helpful addition:
www.amazon.com/Avery-Durable-Binder-EZ-Turn-17032/dp/B001B0CTMU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[Rugs]

So the election's right around the corner. We should do previews of what we think the electoral map will look like, come Nov 7th. I have what I think mine will be, but time is short before I must skedaddle to class, so I'll post it later

[Apillis]

We'll see how close it's going to be. I get kinda' irritated following how close elections are, because the hyperbole machine that is the media always screams, "IT'S SO CLOSE!!!", albeit, this is done largely for ratings. I remember back in '96, much of the media was screaming how close it was, and then Clinton won by a damn resounding landslide. Then the '00 elections, that was truly close, Gore only won the popular vote narrowly, but the media for the longest time was screaming Gore had it in the bag. Then the '04 elections, media once again screamed that it was going to be close, and yet... Bush won by 10 points... that's pretty much a landslide. Then the '08 elections, predictably... the media starts screaming it's so close... and then Obama won by landslide...

So since the great rise of the 24 hour "news" channels in the mid-90s and early-2000, elections have repeatedly been declared "SO CLOSE", but then in the end, proved to be anything but with exception to the '00 elections. Which means with the media these days, they have a 0/4 track record for calling an election being "SO CLOSE". And the one time they could have had it for calling it close, they were largely saying that Gore was going to win. So statistically they have a 0% chance of being accurate at how close this election is going to be. In other words, even with my gargantuan suckitude in L4D2, my headshot accuracy is better than their being able to call an election as being "close". And yes, while the polls indicate that the current election is close, bear in mind, the polls showed the same in those past 4 elections I just mentioned as well (except for '00, which showed Gore in the lead, though--granted he did win the popular vote).

Point being, presidential elections often aren't as close as they appear. Will this election be as close as the media is declaring this go around? I don't know. But, if I were to go by the media's track record for declaring a "close election", I would have to say I'm not entirely convinced that it will be.

*shrug*

All I can really say for certain is, Minnesota will go blue. How do I know? Because, it always does in every presidential election. And that's not an exaggeration, it's the most certain mid-western state in every election of which way it'll swing. Republicans just show up here to give a little wave, and then %@#& right the hell off where they will get some actual electoral votes. XD

[Dr. Jake]

Yes, I agree with you Apillis!

And Rugsy dear:

www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/obama_vs_romney_create_your_own_electoral_college_map.html?map=HI_2,AK_6,FL_6,NH_2,MI_2,VT_2,ME_2,RI_2,NY_2,PA_2,NJ_2,DE_2,MD_2,VA_6,WV_6,OH_2,IN_6,IL_2,CT_2,WI_2,NC_6,DC_2,MA_2,TN_6,AR_6,MO_6,GA_6,SC_6,KY_6,AL_6,LA_6,MS_6,IA_2,MN_2,OK_6,TX_6,NM_2,KS_6,NE_6,SD_6,ND_6,WY_6,MT_6,CO_6,ID_6,UT_6,AZ_6,NV_2,OR_2,WA_2,CA_2

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

Debate afterthoughts.

1. They ignored the Palestinians completely, while mentioning Israel over 30 times. They're both pandering to the Israel lobby and neither is willing to discuss substance in peace talks or do anything at all for the cause of peace.

2. Romney kept changing the topic to the economy and domestic policy because he's weak on foreign policy, and the moderator was a panty-waist and let him get away with it.

3. Indict Iran? For what? Hurting your feelings? Grow up Mitt, this isn't middle school.

[Dr. Jake]

Predictions leemz?

[Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy]

I don't make predictions about individual states. I think Obama will win, but not by a huge margin. It will be exactly like 2004 in most respects.

[Apillis]

"Mitt's entire debate strategy. What he said, but from the white guy."

~ Bill Maher


Pretty much sums up the debate.

[Dr. Jake]

Yeah, Mitt Romney~John Kerry.

There is also some similarities between Pres. Busch and Pres. Obama. Both had mediocre, unpopular first term that the other side blew a bit out of proportion. There is also one less war now.

[Grumpy Panda]

I got tired of the constant interruptions. When it comes down to demeanour, Paul Ryan won hands down. Regardless, I'm somewhat of a libertarian and quite fed up with boozing between two shiny turds. Why not just take the things that made sense from both sides and put them together? Besides, I'm fed up with people thinking one man is going to change our country. Four years of college still doesn't convince people of the difference between your and you're.