Flea, here is a post that I made on the SB boards in one of the many political debates I find myself in. I think it is a fair effort on my part to share my personal perspective on some of the key issues that face America today. It's not perfect, but its not talking points either. Hopefully you can follow suit and add your views.
Foreign Policy - I want Osam Bin Laden captured, belive the war on Iraq was uncessary and has sidetracked the war on terrorism. I believe in coalition building using the UN and our allies in order to provide stronger international support for war if we believe it is necessary. I believe we have a right to protect ourselves and make pre-emptive strikes if necessary as we did in Afghanastan. I believe that a war should have a clear exit strategy and believe in the Doctrine of using Overwhelming force if we are to put our soliders in harms way.
Taxes - I believe that people such as myself who are in the high end of the tax bracket should pay more in taxes than those who are in earn far less. I am happy to pay taxes that provide a safety net to people when they lose their job, have a family member who is seriously ill, pay for our roads, our military, and our asstance to needy people abroad. My success is dependent on this countries success and paying taxes to support this programs that support infrastructure and my fellow citizens is important to me. I am blessed to have been born in this country and I am happy to pay taxes to allow others to enjoy its benefits as well.
Feedom of Choice - I think people should be responsible for their own actions. I am pro-choice and pro-free speech I do not believe that the govenment should have any say over what I choose to watch on TV or listen to on the radio. I think that all American's should be afforded the same rights, regardless of their race, religion or creed. I am for the separation of church and state, but belive that everyone should have the opportunity to practice whatever religion they wish.
Economic Policy - I believe in the free markets but recognize that they must be properly regulated and that the government as an institution that represents the people is a much more effective tool than trusting industry to regulate itself. The banking industry is a great example of this. I beleive in using monetary policy over fiscal policy to jump start the economy. Tax cuts are a inneffective mechanism to promote growth. Deficit spending is acceptable in limitted amounts, but we should pursue a balanced budget policy where spending increases are offset by other cuts in order to avoid runaway deficits. I also beleive in free international trade, but recognize that it is a very disrutptive force in our economy, and we need to help our citizens adjust to the changes through programs such as re-training and cheaper access to college and graduate programs
Environment/Energy - As long as America is dependent on foreign oil we will be weak in the face of the Middle East. I beleive that the way to reduce this dependence is through government funding to assist in the develoment of alternative sources of energy. We fund huge amounts of research for the development of drugs to cure life-threatening diseases and we should do the same with energy. I believe that the open spaces of America should be protected as they can never be reclaimed once they are gone.
Healthcare - I belive all American's are entitled to basic healthcare, and I believe that private industry whose ultimate goal is profit is not best suited for providing this essential service to our citizens. Good physicians should get paid more money than bad ones, and those that have better health-outcomes for their patients should be rewarded.
Education - We should spend more money on education, not less. We should hold teachers accountable and pay the good ones more than the bad ones just like any other career. Educated children are our future and in a incresingly global economy we need our children to be well educated in order to compete, or we will fail.
Crime - I'm anti-death penalty, but pro life imprisonment without parole. I think the war on drugs has been a big waste of money and time. I would rather spend money on prevention and treatment programs and let people make their own decisions about what to do with their life as we do with alchohol and tobacco.
Kerry's views are much more in-line with the above and that is why I will vote for him on November 2.
