Where do you stand?

[WindWip]

Without referencing your parties' handbook on what you should believe, what are your views on:

Abortion:
Gay Rights:
Gun Control:
Illegal Immigration:
Capital Punishment:
Environmentalism:
Global Warming:
Tax Rates:
Welfare:
Social Security:
Government Size and Scope:
Military Size:
Drug Legalization:
Homeless:
Minimum Wage:
Unions:
Prisons:
Public Education:
Outsourcing:
Trade:

If I missed an important one just add it.

[WindWip]

Here's mine

Abortion: For
Gay Rights: For
Gun Control: For additional educational requirements on handguns.
Illegal Immigration: For keeping it the same, as long as the economic benefits outweigh the economic losses.
Capital Punishment: For
Environmentalism: Developing countries deserve to have less restrictions. Air and water are the only real environmental issues we're facing today. We definitely need regulations on pollution levels, but no matter what we decide, we need to get China to enact pollution controls first.
Global Warming: It is an issue, we do need to do something about it.
Tax Rates: Lower them considerably, no more of this welfare state
Welfare: Against
Social Security: Against
Government Size and Scope: For a smaller, less intrusive government.
Military Size: Decrease it to about 1/5 it's current budget - we will still be spending more money on our military than any other nation.
Drug Legalization: For weed legalization so we can tax it, against any harder drugs (not including alcohol!).
Gay Rights: For
Homeless: Provide warehouse style housing and public service jobs for a very meager wage.
Minimum wage: Decrease it
Unions: Against
Prisons: Cut the budget and increase the number of prisoners they house. Get rid of all the entertainment. Allow them a means to learn, and that's it.
Public Education: I'm conflicted on this one. Mandatory education is a good thing to a point, but our system is not especially effective.
Outsourcing: For
Trade: Free-trade

[GeminiBrian]

[QUOTE]

Quote by: WindWip Here's mine

But you said the following in your OP...

Without referencing your parties' handbook on what you should believe, what are your views on:

Judging from your own answers to the questions you posted (see below), I would say that what you have done is to simply re-iterate the Libertarian party's manifesto to the letter.

Abortion: For Gay Rights: For Gun Control: For additional educational requirements on handguns. Illegal Immigration: For keeping it the same, as long as the economic benefits outweigh the economic losses. Capital Punishment: For Environmentalism: Developing countries deserve to have less restrictions. Air and water are the only real environmental issues we're facing today. We definitely need regulations on pollution levels, but no matter what we decide, we need to get China to enact pollution controls first. Global Warming: It is an issue, we do need to do something about it. Tax Rates: Lower them considerably, no more of this welfare state Welfare: Against Social Security: Against Government Size and Scope: For a smaller, less intrusive government. Military Size: Decrease it to about 1/5 it's current budget - we will still be spending more money on our military than any other nation. Drug Legalization: For weed legalization so we can tax it, against any harder drugs (not including alcohol!). Gay Rights: For Homeless: Provide warehouse style housing and public service jobs for a very meager wage. Minimum wage: Decrease it Unions: Against Prisons: Cut the budget and increase the number of prisoners they house. Get rid of all the entertainment. Allow them a means to learn, and that's it. Public Education: I'm conflicted on this one. Mandatory education is a good thing to a point, but our system is not especially effective. Outsourcing: For Trade: Free-trade

The only thing that redeems this gloomy misanthropic list is your avowed stance on gay rights, so I suppose we ought to be eternally grateful for that little ray of hope at least...

[WindWip]

Quote by: GeminiBrian But you said the following in your OP... Judging from your own answers to the questions you posted (see below), I would say that what you have done is to simply re-iterate the Libertarian party's manifesto to the letter.

This is actually the first time someone has called me that - kind of surprised actually. Usually I get either "hippy liberal" or "damn neocon".

I do share a large number of issues with the Libertarian crowd, but I definitely disagree on a couple major points. I agree with gun control and I believe that the government should intervene in business to prevent things such as monopolies. I disagree with total drug legalization. I believe trade barriers for specific industries is acceptable, and I think there should be a minimum wage, but a lower one. (I actually had to look up the Libertarian views on most of these).

[GeminiBrian]

[QUOTE]

Quote by: WindWip This is actually the first time someone has called me that - kind of surprised actually. Usually I get either "hippy liberal" or "damn neocon".

"damn neocon" I can understand --- but "hippy liberal"? - Liberal must have an entirely different meaning where you live...

I do share a large number of issues with the Libertarian crowd, but I definitely disagree on a couple major points. I agree with gun control and I believe that the government should intervene in business to prevent things such as monopolies. I disagree with total drug legalization. I believe trade barriers for specific industries is acceptable, and I think there should be a minimum wage, but a lower one. (I actually had to look up the Libertarian views on most of these).

We just lost an Arch-Libertarian on these forums (banned, apparently) - so you can take up the baton if it pleases you!

Sadly, though, I can't promise you and I will agree on many things.

ps. apart from gun control, of course.

[viper]

Abortion: Against
Gay Rights: For
Gun Control: Against
Illegal Immigration: Against
Capital Punishment: For
Environmentalism:For real environmentalism, not this "OMG CO2 is satan!11!1" crap.
Global Warming: See above.
Tax Rates: Should be very low, and so should government spending.
Welfare: Should be up to charities to help the less fortunate, not the government.
Social Security:Should be mostly or entirely private, I'm not really sure, I'll admittedly have to read up on this subject.
Government Size and Scope: Government should be as small as possible, providing national defense, police and courts, and strictly obeying the constitution under all circumstances, to the letter.
Military Size: Hmm mixed feelings here.
Drug Legalization: Marijuana should be legal for those over 18 to buy, other drugs shouldn't really be legal, like I don't think you should be able to walk into a gas station and by some meth or heroine, but these shouldn't be criminal offenses; there are more important things to deal with.
Gay Rights: I feel... that I have been asked this before
Homeless: What about them?
Minimum Wage: Should be primarily determined by the market, however if wages get insanely low then I don't see any problem with state governments and their people determining suitable minimum wages.
Unions: For
Prisons: For
Public Education: Should be up to state governments and their people, and since their are very few people who aren't then I'm for it.
Outsourcing:Should be up to the market.
Trade:Should be free.

Funny I thought of making a thread like this. To many people give themselves labels I think.

[Jinei]

Abortion: Up to six months it's ok.
Gay Rights: For
Gun Control: For
Illegal Immigration:Undecided
Capital Punishment: Against
Environmentalism: For
Global Warming: Undecided whether it is anthropogenic.
Tax Rates: Undecided
Welfare: Anti-Dependence measures.
Social Security: Read below
Government Size and Scope: Undecided
Military Size: Medium - Channel funds to Social Security and Science Research
Drug Legalization: For
Homeless: No
Minimum Wage: $7.50
Unions: No teacher unions
Prisons: Too large - downsize.
Public Education: Utmost Importance
Outsourcing: No
Trade: Yes

[Yarn]

Abortion: Legal until third trimester
Gay Rights: For
Gun Control: For, but in some unorthodox ways, and not drastic
Illegal Immigration: Comprehensive immigration reform
Capital Punishment: Not particularly opinionated, but I guess against.
Environmentalism: Complicated
Global Warming: Against, is probably anthropogenic
Tax Rates: For progressive, not the present regressive ( Middle Class Impact » Our Regressive Income Tax ) Enough to support public healthcare, and universal college on top of present longstanding committments
Welfare: Yes, but with timelined assisted mandatory weaning in all but the most extreme cases.
Social Security: Yes
Government Size and Scope: Domestically, something along the lines of Germany and France
Military Size: For the near future, present size.
Drug Legalization: Maybe Marijuana. Nothing Else
Homeless: Against. People should have shelter, eh?
Minimum Wage: Yes. Present rate or higher.
Unions: Yes. Though with regulations to prevent abuse; see drowning auto industry
Prisons: Rehabilitation and work. Expensive health care contingent upon subjects diligence
Public Education: Yes, even through college
Outsourcing: Inevitable and good for all in the end
Trade: Free

[Charlatan]

Well I am for all of those except military size. Max out the rest. I guess that is pretty simple, but I am against militaty size being large.

[Yarn]

Max out the rest.

Let no baby be born! All sexually reproducing species must die out!

[Darkinstine]

Quote by: WindWip Without referencing your parties' handbook on what you should believe, what are your views on: Abortion: against Gay Rights: as far as what? Marriage? I'm ok with it as long as no one is forced to perform the service if they do not feel they can. If the government wants to perform them fine. But a church should not be forced to do so if they think it goes aginst their belief system. Gun Control: all for it Illegal Immigration: There is a system in place. Work through it or change it. Capital Punishment: against it Environmentalism:some areas should be off limits to everything except limited foot traffic. Global Warming: I'm still waiting on the ice age that was supposed to be here in the 70's Tax Rates: suck Welfare: I'm for it if it follows the model of Norway Social Security: don't think it exists Government Size and Scope: Too big and too intruding Military Size: make it as big as you need to so if you do have to go to war (or a action or whatever they call it these days) you hit the other guy so hard not only will he not come out of the hole he is hiding in but everyone else will be crapping their pants over it. Fear can be a use full tool for peace. Drug Legalization: Not convinced yet. Gay Rights: see above Homeless: Hmmm I don't own a home. Do I qualify? Minimum Wage: Someone needs to start somewhere. If a fully functioning adult cant get a job better than Mc Donald's the they need to get their ass in school. I don't care if its at trade school or a 4 year degree. Unions: Great at the start but they turn into another form of forced government that is only out to get your money Prisons: They should suck. Its a good reason to not want to go back. Public Education: Its what you make of it. Outsourcing: I wish I could outsource my Thesis research. Seriously if its a free trade market there will be outsourcing. A companys job is to make money for its shareholders. Thats the bottom line. If work can be outsoursed to make higher profits then its gonna happen. Captalisim in action like it or not. Trade: Depends if you have anything I want/need .

My view

[Sapientia]

Abortion: Against
Gay Rights: For
Gun Control: Moderate
Illegal Immigration: Streamline the process of becoming a citizen so that this isn't a major issue. But in short, I am moderate.
Capital Punishment: Against.
Environmentalism: For, although I do not want to overdo it
Global Warming: Undecided, although its pretty irrelevant. We should be going green regardless of the existence of global warming.
Tax Rates: Keep them low, unless a ballooning deficit requires raising.
Welfare: Only what they need, and only to a certain extent
Social Security: Raise the limit to maybe 150K instead of 100K
Government Size and Scope: Big enough to protect itself, yet small enough for the citizens to control it. This is a very open-ended question that I continue to ponder.
Military Size: Continue our current path, and increase the size if needed.
Drug Legalization: For
Homeless: Combat it by strengthening the economy
Minimum Wage: Should be relative
Unions: They are too powerful right now
Prisons: Undecided. Not an issue I've really thought about, honestly.
Public Education: The system desperately needs to be fixed
Outsourcing: Inevitable with globalization, but it is critical to keep emerging industries like biotech, green tech, etc in our country. Give them a break on taxes and regulation
Trade: Keep it free

[Goyboy]

Quote by: WindWip Without referencing your parties' handbook on what you should believe, what are your views on: Abortion: Gay Rights: Gun Control: Illegal Immigration: Capital Punishment: Environmentalism: Global Warming: Tax Rates: Welfare: Social Security: Government Size and Scope: Military Size: Drug Legalization: Gay Rights: Homeless: Minimum Wage: Unions: Prisons: Public Education: Outsourcing: Trade: If I missed an important one just add it.

Is there a reason that Gay Rights is mentioned twice?

[Chinook]

Abortion: I support women having complete reproductive freedom. I think this goes hand in hand with reproductive education (for both genders), and I'd like to more emphasis placed on education instead of the frakkin' abortion debate.
Gay Rights: Why shouldn't gays have rights? I'm proud to say my nation was one of the first to allow gay marriage.
Gun Control: Ideally, I think all restricted firearms should be prohibited (handguns, automatic guns, etc). Aside from this, I don't mind the system we have in place now, where restricted firearm owners must have extra education, and all firearm owners must have some form of education. I support people's rights to have guns for hunting and safety in wildlife situations, so long as proper training has occurred.
Illegal Immigration: Is not a major issue here. It wouldn't be an issue anywhere if people simply refused to hire illegal immigrants, and I think any crackdown on illegal immigration should be targeted more on people who hire illegals. Then again, if people want to enjoy many super cheap things, then this illegal labour source needs to be exploited.
Capital Punishment: Absolutely against. We cannot give anyone life so we should not take life.
Environmentalism: Reduce, reduce, reduce, reduce, reuse, reuse, reuse, recycle. Development is inevitable, but can be done in a sustainable manner.
Global Warming: I absolutely believe in Climate Change. I think Al Gore was the worst thing to happen to the Climate Change/Global Warming movement.
Tax Rates: I don't mind mine as they are. Sometimes, I wish I could control how my tax dollars are spent, but I'm fairly content otherwise.
Welfare: Is important, though I think the system could be improved a bit.
Social Security: I like the way our system is modeled to take care of our weakest members.
Government Size and Scope: In some areas, I think the government needs to shrink. There are other realms where the government needs to be present. Why isn't the avalanche foundation federal, when it protects so many Canadians? I'm thinking it's because avalanches don't happen in Snottawa or Toronto.
Military Size: Ours is too small and feeble. We have a vast, vast treasure trove known as the Arctic archipelago that will need protecting as the NW passage opens up for shipping. So a bit bigger, with a change in focus, IMO.
Drug Legalization: I don't think legalization of most drugs will increase, so why waste money enforcing drug laws? Legalize!
Gay Rights: My answer won't change from above!! All people deserve their rights to be recognized.
Homeless: We need to take care of our weakest members.
Minimum Wage: Is fine where it is....? I support the existence of one.
Unions: Were formed for excellent reasons, but as of late many have shifted the focus from fair treatment to pecking orders and almost tyranny towards their employers. I'd never support banning unions, but I'd appreciate if they'd get off their high horses already!
Prisons: I support education such as trades training in prisons. I do not believe that "once a criminal, always a criminal." I do believe that white collar criminals should go to jail.
Public Education: Is great. I'd like to see a different system set in place for student loans, such as the government forgiving every year of loans for every year worked full time in the province/country.
Outsourcing: Will happen. Both workers and consumers here need to be dynamic enough to accommodate this, though I think it goes hand in hand with...
Trade: which should be free unless a company or country violates human rights to produce a cheap product or resource. This may be the only time I support protectionism.

[WindWip]

Quote by: Goyboy Is there a reason that Gay Rights is mentioned twice?

Typo - guess I didn't realize I had already put it on


..and apparently I can't edit it again :/

[WindWip]

Quote by: Chinook Military Size: Ours is too small and feeble. We have a vast, vast treasure trove known as the Arctic archipelago that will need protecting as the NW passage opens up for shipping. So a bit bigger, with a change in focus, IMO.

Call me dense, but I couldn't quite tell if that was sarcasm or not

[Goyboy]

Abortion: stops the beating of a human heart.

Gay Rights: Are they necessary?

Gun Control: prevents law-abiding citizens from having guns, but it doesn’t prevent criminals from having guns. So, what’s the point?

Illegal Immigration: should be stopped if possible.

Capital Punishment: should be permissible but rare.

Environmentalism: is too political. I prefer wildlife conservation, which isn’t the same as environmentalism.

Global Warming: isn’t what Al Gore says it is. Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby asks, “Where’s global warming?”

Tax Rates: shouldn’t punish people for earning money through honest and ethical means.

Welfare: should be for those people who aren’t capable of helping themselves; however, it shouldn’t encourage dependency on the government.

Social Security: is going broke.

Government Size and Scope: should only be large enough to perform the functions required of it by the Constitution.

Military Size: should be large enough to be effective but no so large as to be inefficient.

Drug Legalization: would make it easier for drug addicts to get their fixes.

Homeless: stinks. I used to take care of homeless people when I worked at a homeless shelter.

Minimum Wage: should be set at a state level instead of a national level because the cost of living varies from state to state.

Unions: were beneficial to the public when they first came into existence. Except for the Teamsters (who promote safety on highways), I don’t know of a union that is currently beneficial to the public.

Prisons: are necessary, unfortunately.

Public Education: is failing children in a number of school districts, but teachers’ unions work against the things that would improve public education.

Outsourcing: may be despised by some people, but it enables businesses to become more efficient.

Trade: promotes prosperity.

[Athena]

I am amazed by people's answers. Each is a subject of its own, and I can not imagine giving the short answers given, because the issues are complex and interwoven.

[Chinook]

Quote by: WindWip Call me dense, but I couldn't quite tell if that was sarcasm or not

I think you're making the deadly mistake of assuming I'm American?

[WindWip]

Quote by: Athena I am amazed by people's answers. Each is a subject of its own, and I can not imagine giving the short answers given, because the issues are complex and interwoven.

I know you can't write out your exact position on any one of these issues in a sentence, the point was just to get an overview of where people stand on certain issues. I find it very interesting to compare a person's views on different subjects, something like outsourcing to something like poverty in developing nations. This just gives a nice reference.

Quote by: Chinook I think you're making the deadly mistake of assuming I'm American?

Touche - my mistake. Are you Canadian?