Position Statement
I'm for the freedom of speech. There's a reason this was the first amendment to the Constitution, but when a person releases classified information or discloses the identity of an intelligence officer (especially for political gain or retribution), they should be thrown in jail.
I'm for the right to bear arms. It's is guaranteed in the constitution, and I'll admit, shooting is fun... but how about this: Rifles and shotguns are fine for hunting. Pistols are great for self defense. NOBODY, however, needs an assault rifle to hunt or protect their families. If your aim is so poor that you need to be able to fire 850 rounds per minute, perhaps you shouldn't be allowed to own a weapon to begin with. I'm also in favor of the Brady Bill. A background check should ALWAYS be done before a weapon purchase. A five day waiting period won't cause you to miss hunting season if you apply 6 days before the season can begin. It CAN, however, give you a chance to ease your temper and prevent you from doing something stupid.
I'm in favor or the separation of church and state. Let your children learn math, science, history, philosophy, grammar, languages, and other marketable skills in public schools. They can learn about their (OR YOUR) religion at church, temple, the mosque, or another place of worship. Why is it that only Christian values should be taught. If you're going to teach about religion in public schools, teach about all of them and let the students decide which one (if any) that they choose to believe in... but that won't fly, because the people who want religion brought into schools are, for the most part, all Christian, and don't want their kids learning about anything else.
I'm in favor of gay and lesbian rights. "All men are created equal"... this should ring true to every American, regardless of race, sex, or religion. We have come so far in the area if civil rights, but there's still a long way to go. Gays and lesbians are no different from any of us, they deserve the same rights and privileges. They can be perfectly good parents, and no one can prove otherwise.
I'm in favor of a woman's right to choose, but within limits. A woman should not be forced to have a child that will endanger her health, or one that was conceived through a rape. Also, a 15 year old girl who has been raped by her father should not need his permission to abort the pregnancy that resulted from the assault. This is where the limits come in, though. People need to be educated about birth control, adoption, and personal responsibility. If you were raped, can't support a child financially, or are going to be placed in danger by the labor, you should be allowed to get an abortion... but if your boyfriend doesn't like to wear a condom because it feels different, and you get knocked up... well, tough shit. Put the child up for adoption and be more responsible next time. No one should be hitting the clinics every two months.
I'm in favor of deporting all illegal immigrants. Why should my tax dollars pay for their children to go to schools when they don't pay taxes at all? I'm all for immigrants coming to this country legally... that's what makes this country great, but if you can't go about it the correct way, get the hell out.
That said, I'm in favor of building a 20 foot wall with guards along the Mexican (and to a lesser extent, the Canadian) border. It will keep out illegal immigrants, make drug trafficking much more difficult, and make our country more secure from terrorism. And with the architects and design majors we have in this country, it can be made to look esthetically pleasing as well. Obviously, there can be gates with checkpoints and guards there, but come on, let's just do it.
I'm in favor of having not only the strongest military in the world, but the most capable. Super weapons don't work if you can't get troops on the ground where and when you need them. We must keep our technological advantage in the area of fighter planes, aircraft carriers and combat ships, ground assault vehicles, small arms, communication, surveillance and spy equipment, and logistical support. We must also ensure that we keep our force levels constant. Weapons do not fight by themselves. We must continue to recruit smart, strong, motivated men and women.
I'm in favor of increased pay and benefits for our armed forces and intelligence community, and not just because I want a larger check. The best way to ensure a safe country and a future of bright, strong people is to recruit them. Let them know that they're appreciated, and give them a reason to go into public service as opposed to making six to seven figures in the private market.
I'm in favor of making the income spent on college tuition for teachers tax free. We need better teachers, who love what they're doing, and the ones that we have now deserve better than $30,000 a year at an inner city school that is falling apart. We also need to fund our public schools better. School vouchers are not the answer. Our public schools should be cathedrals, with the newest text books, best technology, small class sizes, best teachers, and a massive number of classes and subjects to study.
I'm in favor or senators and congressmen voting either their conscience, or what their constituents want, and not what will gain them the most political power in Washington. They were elected as representatives, they should represent, not exploit.
I'm in favor of campaign finance reform.
I'm in favor of campaigns run on ideals not on smear ads.
I'm in favor of holding politicians accountable for the decisions that they make.
I'm in favor of free trade. While some people believe that importation of goods will kill American jobs, a free trade is essential for a balanced economy. We should, however, make sure that other countries are buying as much from us as we are from them, and that they follow all copyrights and trademarks on American products.
I'm in favor of foreign aid. As the sole remaining "superpower", we owe it to the rest of the world to promote health, education, and safety of the entire world. An extremely efficient way to combat terrorism in the future is to ensure that fewer people grow up in poverty, under oppression, with resentment towards Western culture and ideals.
I'm in favor of funding for the arts. Life is nothing without art, music, philosophy... these are essential for a well rounded culture.
I'm in favor of paying taxes for programs that are necessary, and cutting them for programs that are not. I don't want a tax cut every year if it is going to push our country further into debt and a recession.
I'm in favor of a strong national government. Strong states are good, and should be given the greatest possible leeway in governing their own citizens, but there are some things that can't be done without a federal system.
These are just some of the things that a believe strongly in, and these are just summaries of my beliefs on each topic. Hopefully it causes you to decide what you believe in.
I'm for the right to bear arms. It's is guaranteed in the constitution, and I'll admit, shooting is fun... but how about this: Rifles and shotguns are fine for hunting. Pistols are great for self defense. NOBODY, however, needs an assault rifle to hunt or protect their families. If your aim is so poor that you need to be able to fire 850 rounds per minute, perhaps you shouldn't be allowed to own a weapon to begin with. I'm also in favor of the Brady Bill. A background check should ALWAYS be done before a weapon purchase. A five day waiting period won't cause you to miss hunting season if you apply 6 days before the season can begin. It CAN, however, give you a chance to ease your temper and prevent you from doing something stupid.
I'm in favor or the separation of church and state. Let your children learn math, science, history, philosophy, grammar, languages, and other marketable skills in public schools. They can learn about their (OR YOUR) religion at church, temple, the mosque, or another place of worship. Why is it that only Christian values should be taught. If you're going to teach about religion in public schools, teach about all of them and let the students decide which one (if any) that they choose to believe in... but that won't fly, because the people who want religion brought into schools are, for the most part, all Christian, and don't want their kids learning about anything else.
I'm in favor of gay and lesbian rights. "All men are created equal"... this should ring true to every American, regardless of race, sex, or religion. We have come so far in the area if civil rights, but there's still a long way to go. Gays and lesbians are no different from any of us, they deserve the same rights and privileges. They can be perfectly good parents, and no one can prove otherwise.
I'm in favor of a woman's right to choose, but within limits. A woman should not be forced to have a child that will endanger her health, or one that was conceived through a rape. Also, a 15 year old girl who has been raped by her father should not need his permission to abort the pregnancy that resulted from the assault. This is where the limits come in, though. People need to be educated about birth control, adoption, and personal responsibility. If you were raped, can't support a child financially, or are going to be placed in danger by the labor, you should be allowed to get an abortion... but if your boyfriend doesn't like to wear a condom because it feels different, and you get knocked up... well, tough shit. Put the child up for adoption and be more responsible next time. No one should be hitting the clinics every two months.
I'm in favor of deporting all illegal immigrants. Why should my tax dollars pay for their children to go to schools when they don't pay taxes at all? I'm all for immigrants coming to this country legally... that's what makes this country great, but if you can't go about it the correct way, get the hell out.
That said, I'm in favor of building a 20 foot wall with guards along the Mexican (and to a lesser extent, the Canadian) border. It will keep out illegal immigrants, make drug trafficking much more difficult, and make our country more secure from terrorism. And with the architects and design majors we have in this country, it can be made to look esthetically pleasing as well. Obviously, there can be gates with checkpoints and guards there, but come on, let's just do it.
I'm in favor of having not only the strongest military in the world, but the most capable. Super weapons don't work if you can't get troops on the ground where and when you need them. We must keep our technological advantage in the area of fighter planes, aircraft carriers and combat ships, ground assault vehicles, small arms, communication, surveillance and spy equipment, and logistical support. We must also ensure that we keep our force levels constant. Weapons do not fight by themselves. We must continue to recruit smart, strong, motivated men and women.
I'm in favor of increased pay and benefits for our armed forces and intelligence community, and not just because I want a larger check. The best way to ensure a safe country and a future of bright, strong people is to recruit them. Let them know that they're appreciated, and give them a reason to go into public service as opposed to making six to seven figures in the private market.
I'm in favor of making the income spent on college tuition for teachers tax free. We need better teachers, who love what they're doing, and the ones that we have now deserve better than $30,000 a year at an inner city school that is falling apart. We also need to fund our public schools better. School vouchers are not the answer. Our public schools should be cathedrals, with the newest text books, best technology, small class sizes, best teachers, and a massive number of classes and subjects to study.
I'm in favor or senators and congressmen voting either their conscience, or what their constituents want, and not what will gain them the most political power in Washington. They were elected as representatives, they should represent, not exploit.
I'm in favor of campaign finance reform.
I'm in favor of campaigns run on ideals not on smear ads.
I'm in favor of holding politicians accountable for the decisions that they make.
I'm in favor of free trade. While some people believe that importation of goods will kill American jobs, a free trade is essential for a balanced economy. We should, however, make sure that other countries are buying as much from us as we are from them, and that they follow all copyrights and trademarks on American products.
I'm in favor of foreign aid. As the sole remaining "superpower", we owe it to the rest of the world to promote health, education, and safety of the entire world. An extremely efficient way to combat terrorism in the future is to ensure that fewer people grow up in poverty, under oppression, with resentment towards Western culture and ideals.
I'm in favor of funding for the arts. Life is nothing without art, music, philosophy... these are essential for a well rounded culture.
I'm in favor of paying taxes for programs that are necessary, and cutting them for programs that are not. I don't want a tax cut every year if it is going to push our country further into debt and a recession.
I'm in favor of a strong national government. Strong states are good, and should be given the greatest possible leeway in governing their own citizens, but there are some things that can't be done without a federal system.
These are just some of the things that a believe strongly in, and these are just summaries of my beliefs on each topic. Hopefully it causes you to decide what you believe in.