State Your Political Philosophy!

[MeTHoD-X]

Political philosophy is the study of fundamental questions about the state, government, politics, liberty, justice, property, rights, law and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why (or even if) they are needed, what makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it should take and why, what the law is, and what duties citizens owe to a legitimate government, if any, and when it may be legitimately overthrown—if ever. In a vernacular sense, the term "political philosophy" often refers to a general view, or specific ethic, belief or attitude, about politics that does not necessarily belong to the technical discipline of philosophy.

Three central concerns of political philosophy have been the political economy by which property rights are defined and access to capital is regulated, the demands of justice in distribution and punishment, and the rules of truth and evidence that determine judgments in the law.

-Wikipedia


So, what is your political philosophy and why? Are you a libertarian, all out leftist liberal, communist, etc, etc. The list of political philosophies could go on for days. Basically just talk about your views and how you justify them. Feel free to use the example template below.

Views on:

Drug Policy:
Abortion:
Religion:
Tax:
Voting:
Business:
Gay Marriage:
War/Draft:

Add more as you like.

[disciple]

So, what is your political philosophy and why? Are you a libertarian, all out leftist liberal, communist, etc, etc. The list of political philosophies could go on for days. Basically just talk about your views and how you justify them. Feel free to use the example template below.

If I had to define my political philosophy I would have to say 'Libertarian' IE: social justice, free health care, social security, free education (although I agree with the 'higher education contribution scheme H.E.C.S. (university fees) that we have in Australia {pay it back as a % of income, once you are earning over about 35K a year}, that you owe your country a debt but not your government and free speech....

Views on:

Drug Policy: Should be treated as a health issue rather than a legal one.

Abortion: Your body is your temple therefore your choice and no one else's
business.

Religion: What?

Tax: A necessary evil that is the only thing apart from death we can be
sure of in life.

Voting: Only one way to remove the bastards without violence.

Business: I'm all for making a Quid.

Gay Marriage: See 'Abortion'

War/Draft: Only if they are knocking on the door.

[Nanashi]

I'd consider myself more Libertarian than anything. I guess.

Drug Policy:
Take off legal ban; tax them.

Abortion:
Woman's choice. 100%. All circumstances.

Religion:
*Real* Seperation of church and state. Religion is a personal thing, and should be kept that way.

Tax:
It's needed. I think it should be minimalized. "Government should only help those who can't help themselves."

Voting:
I'm not a big fan of representitive democracy, but i'm seriously scared of what America might be like if it was direct-democracy. Personally? I think it'd be great to have a dictator with my views. XD There's for hoping, right?

Business:
Open-market. Government should keep it's sticky fingers out of it and let the market dictate the economy.

Gay Marriage:
Why not. I don't see why gay relationships are any different than oposite-sex relationships.

War/Draft:
Gah, fuck. Iii think a strong military is important, but I think we should be more isolationist. Keep our military in our boarders unless absolutely nessisary. Enough of this trying to change the world to America's point of view. Fuck that, that just pisses people off.

[Googler]

I consider myself a classical liberalist.

Drug Policy: Tax the shit.


Abortion:You should be able to decide what happens to your own body. The women should choose not the man.


Religion:Religion should be discussed in schools but never forced upon people.


Tax:Needed to distribute the wealth a bit more equal. Help the people who are unable to help themselves.


Voting:Personally, I like it. The majority should rule, not just the rich bitches :D


Business:laissez-faire with minimal intervention.


Gay Marriage:I'm not against it, as long as they both consent.


War/Draft: Assertive military is important, but I don't like the draft. A person should choose to join based on thier own free will.

[Nameless]

Here are my opinions, and because I'm Feeling Lazy, they're in simplified form!

Drug Policy: Should be allowed, but only in circumstances where any potential damage to others is avoided (ie. in your own home, without children, and that's about it)
Abortion: Why the hell not?
Religion: Stupid. :roll:
Tax: Flat Tax. Seriously. Complex tax laws make my head hurt.
Voting: Optional, but I'd vote.
Business: Free Market, and stuff.
Gay Marriage: Why the hell not?
War/Draft: NO! WRONG! BAD! Conscription is wrong in so many ways. The fact that the government spends billions of dollars on an army (instead of, say, education or saving starving Africans) is wrong in so many ways. The fact we *need* a military is wrong in so many ways. If the whole world would just stop being a collective dick and spend our money on education and saving lives rather than killing them, the world would be a much better place.'

[MeTHoD-X]

War/Draft: NO! WRONG! BAD! Conscription is wrong in so many ways. The fact that the government spends billions of dollars on an army (instead of, say, education or saving starving Africans) is wrong in so many ways. The fact we *need* a military is wrong in so many ways. If the whole world would just stop being a collective dick and spend our money on education and saving lives rather than killing them, the world would be a much better place.'

What you say sounds good nameless, but unfortunately humans are animals. Our genetic programming is obsolete in SO many ways. It is in our nature to war and so we must, as a necessity, have a defensive army to fend off the aggressive and corrupt. I don't support the draft because I believe that if we had a worthy cause to fight against, people would be lining up in droves.

[Nanashi]

I'll see you up there in Canada, Method, when the US reinstates the draft. ^_~

[Googler]

I'll see you up there in Canada, Method, when the US reinstates the draft. ^_~

Lol me too.

[Tofu]

Drug Policy: I like pie.
Abortion: I like pie.
Religion: I like pie.
Tax: I like pie.
Voting: I like pie.
Business: I like pie.
Gay Marriage: I like pie.
War/Draft: You're gay.

[Googler]

Drug Policy: I like pie.
Abortion: I like pie.
Religion: I like pie.
Tax: I like pie.
Voting: I like pie.
Business: I like pie.
Gay Marriage: I like pie.
War/Draft: You're gay.

What part of serious discussion don't you understand.

[Tofu]

Drug Policy: I like pie.
Abortion: I like pie.
Religion: I like pie.
Tax: I like pie.
Voting: I like pie.
Business: I like pie.
Gay Marriage: I like pie.
War/Draft: You're gay.

What part of serious discussion don't you understand.
58393298283998328392983839833983898398938932893239823904890438743748753755873387 458754087450987450987 percent of it.

[Nameless]

Drug Policy: I like pie.
Abortion: I like pie.
Religion: I like pie.
Tax: I like pie.
Voting: I like pie.
Business: I like pie.
Gay Marriage: I like pie.
War/Draft: You're gay.

What part of serious discussion don't you understand.

This could potentially also mean that Tofu believes that nobody should be denied the right to life, or more importantly, to pie, we should all worship pies, pies should be heavily taxed, we should vote for a pie, we should start a pie business, he wants to marry and pie, and that homosexuals are evil and should all be drafted to the military.

:|

[MeTHoD-X]

Drug Policy: I like pie.
Abortion: I like pie.
Religion: I like pie.
Tax: I like pie.
Voting: I like pie.
Business: I like pie.
Gay Marriage: I like pie.
War/Draft: You're gay.

What part of serious discussion don't you understand.

This could potentially also mean that Tofu believes that nobody should be denied the right to life, or more importantly, to pie, we should all worship pies, pies should be heavily taxed, we should vote for a pie, we should start a pie business, he wants to marry and pie, and that homosexuals are evil and should all be drafted to the military.

:|

And I thought I was the only one who interpreted it that way. Amazing.

[Tofu]

I like pie. XD

[MeTHoD-X]

Drug Policy: Legalize, tax and regulate all drugs. Injecting drugs into your body is a personal choice. I believe that if drugs were regulated and legal, people could seek help to kick their addiction without the fear of legal prosecution.

Abortion: Abortion is the woman's choice, for any reason.

Religion: Separation of church and state. Keep religion away from politics at all times.

Tax: Low taxes to encourage businesses to open and grow, thus creating a strong economy and providing more jobs.

Voting: I'm for a system known as "Single Transferable Vote".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Transferable_Vote

Gay Marriage: I see no difference in gay marriage and straight marriage. As long as they consent, then why the hell not?

War/Draft: I'm anti-draft. I believe that if the cause was worthy, people would line up in droves to fight for their country. If not, then their country obviously isn't worth fighting for.

[MeTHoD-X]

I like pie. XD

What does the XD at the end of your post stand for?

[Nanashi]

Is voter turn out incredibly low in the parts of the world you guys live in? I think that's the major problem with America's voting system right now. None of the younger generation wants to vote, so everything is decided by the older generation voting to keep their social security and medicare operating at full-force.

And then we all just bitch because our votes "don't count for anything". XD

[Nameless]

I like pie. XD

What does the XD at the end of your post stand for?

It's actually a smiley, apparantly popularised from an expression in South Park, or something. :-| :-) :-D X-D <-- in order of increasing happiness.

[Fallen Hero]

Drug Policy: Legalize soft drugs, when used and contained at low levels in supervised areas.

Abortion: Women's right and choice.

Religion: Keep it away from the government and all laws.

Tax: Higher tax, money put into soscial systems (schools and etc.)

Voting: Canadian system is good, know little about most others.. mandate voting.

Gay Marriage: Nothing wrong with it. Should be allowed.

War/Draft: Never a draft, only a war when there is already a threat, like WW1/2 not like War on Terror, that is just illegal.

[antony]

In general, I consider myself a moderate. And that doesn't mean I sit the fence - it means that I consider extremes on both sides to be bad (most of the time) and that good government comes in finding whatever the appropriate balance happens to be.

Drug Policy: I'd rather people not take drugs, it's better to be a helpful member of society. If you accept the consequences though, and you don't drive up my insurance rates, I really can't stop you.

Abortion: People shouldn't get into situations where they need abortions - how hard is it not to have unprotected sex? Outright banning it is not the solution though, proper heath education (not abstinance-only) and teaching personal responsibility is.

Religion: Churches should not get involved in politics. It's bad for both the state and the church. Religion can be too-easily usurped into doing things like enforcing social norms and encouraging blind following of a leader - which is not what it's supposed to do. "Give to Ceasar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

Tax: You need it to keep the state running. You get what you pay for. If you want more government you have to pay for it. If you want to pay less, you'll get less back. It's really bad when politicians tell the public that the government will take care of everything they want, and that they'll lower taxrs - you can have one but not both! There needs to be an honest public debate to figure out which way to go, but unfortunately political conditions precule that at this time.

Voting: Uhmmm... it's good? Or were you expecting me to say that they should crown me Imperator et Dux? :lol:

Gay Marriage: As a legal matter, the state should allow equal rights for couples of either orientation. Different religions can decide whether they want to recognize such things themselves, but that shouldn't affect what a pluralistic state does. See "Religion" above.

War/Draft: War, only when it's necessary to preserve your existance. The draft, only if you've got enough popular support.

[antony]

Is voter turn out incredibly low in the parts of the world you guys live in? I think that's the major problem with America's voting system right now. None of the younger generation wants to vote, so everything is decided by the older generation voting to keep their social security and medicare operating at full-force.

And then we all just bitch because our votes "don't count for anything". XD

On the other hand, high voter turnout could be the sign of a problem; after all, the elections with the highest % turnout in US history were the bunch right before the Civil War. People will be more inclined to vote if:

a) the election is close enough that they think they'll make more of a difference, and
b) they think the opposing choice is really bad/threatening to them.

In other words, highly polarized electorates make for higher turnout. But highly polarized electorates are bad for the state. On the other hand, if things are going so well that people feel that either choice is good, voter turnout will be lower.

This being said, I think everyone should vote under all circumstances, that in itself makes for a healthier society. Barring that, you get this ironic kind of situation where a problem situation will raise your turnout.

[disciple]

Abortion: People shouldn't get into situations where they need abortions - how hard is it not to have unprotected sex? Outright banning it is not the solution though, proper heath education (not abstinance-only) and teaching personal responsibility is.


antony; you seem to have put some thought into the rest of this post however did you consider the possibilities of (a) drunken night, you know the sort when you wake up and go 'Shit where did she/he come from?' (b) faulty birth control products (c) rape (d) a bit of good old fashioned INCEST.
What would you think of abortion then? or are they situations that people shouldn't get into either?

[antony]

Abortion: People shouldn't get into situations where they need abortions - how hard is it not to have unprotected sex? Outright banning it is not the solution though, proper heath education (not abstinance-only) and teaching personal responsibility is.


antony; you seem to have put some thought into the rest of this post however did you consider the possibilities of (a) drunken night, you know the sort when you wake up and go 'Shit where did she/he come from?' (b) faulty birth control products (c) rape (d) a bit of good old fashioned INCEST.
What would you think of abortion then? or are they situations that people shouldn't get into either?

If it's a rape then it's not your fault - it would be great if the mother decided to keep the child, think of it as almost an adoption if you will. But if she doesn't, morning-after pills that can deal with that.

That being said, if you get piss-drunk you're still responsible for what happens. You made the choice to get drunk, and you chose to accept whatever consequences come out of that. So yes, that is a situation people should avoid. But again, morning-after pills can deal with that. Ditto with faulty birth control; you accept a risk when you use birth control that it might not work, and that you're going to have to deal with the consequences.

You'll have to forgive me, but I've just never had it explained to me how incest is connected to abortion. What is the deal with that?

(As an aside, I don't consider morning-after pills to be a real abortion; I just don't see a clump of human cells as a human being until it has some structure to it. I'm for stem-cell research on the same basis. The NSF guidelines for research with embryoes say that they shouldn't be kept beyond 14 days because that's when the body axis and neural tissue start developing; that's as good a definition I can think of of when life begins.)

[SirRuben]

If it's a rape then it's not your fault - it would be great if the mother decided to keep the child, think of it as almost an adoption if you will. But if she doesn't, morning-after pills that can deal with that.

That morning-after pill of yours is kind of like an abortion too. Think about it..

[Nameless]

War/Draft: War, only when it's necessary to preserve your existance. The draft, only if you've got enough popular support.

How would you define 'preserve your existance' though? If a country was taken over by a dictator, they would still exist. But if you consider 'existing' as 'existing as it is currently' then you go to war for trivial reasons such as unbalanced immigration. Where would you draw the line? And who would draw it?

As for the draft, surely if you had popular support you wouldn't need the draft? And again, who would decide what popular support was? If two thirds of population support a war but only because they DON'T know all the facts, would that count?

[disciple]

Abortion: People shouldn't get into situations where they need abortions - how hard is it not to have unprotected sex? Outright banning it is not the solution though, proper heath education (not abstinance-only) and teaching personal responsibility is.


antony; you seem to have put some thought into the rest of this post however did you consider the possibilities of (a) drunken night, you know the sort when you wake up and go 'Shit where did she/he come from?' (b) faulty birth control products (c) rape (d) a bit of good old fashioned INCEST.
What would you think of abortion then? or are they situations that people shouldn't get into either?

If it's a rape then it's not your fault - it would be great if the mother decided to keep the child, think of it as almost an adoption if you will. But if she doesn't, morning-after pills that can deal with that.

who would it be great for? the woman who was raped, I'm sure she would like to be reminded every day for the rest of her life of a time she would, probably, rather get over. The child? who will have to live with the fact that daddy atacked momey (possably extreamly violently) and he/she is the product of a lovelese act of power and/or lust.

You'll have to forgive me, but I've just never had it explained to me how incest is connected to abortion. What is the deal with that?


here is a hypothetical for you: a ten year old is tampered with by her father who says 'don't tell mum or she will be mad at you lets keep this our little secret, just like all the other times'. Some months later mum notices that her daughter is throwing up in the mornings and takes her to the doctor. The doctor does what Dr.'s do and tells the mother that her daughter is up the stick (a bit young but not impossible) and that it is not immaculate conception, in fact quite the opposite.
That is a hypothetical situation that would link incest to abortion. Unfortunately due to a high number of sick fucks in the world, it isn't as hypothetical as I would like it to be!'

[antony]

here is a hypothetical for you: a ten year old is tampered with by her father who says 'don't tell mum or she will be mad at you lets keep this our little secret, just like all the other times'. Some months later mum notices that her daughter is throwing up in the mornings and takes her to the doctor. The doctor does what Dr.'s do and tells the mother that her daughter is up the stick (a bit young but not impossible) and that it is not immaculate conception, in fact quite the opposite.
That is a hypothetical situation that would link incest to abortion. Unfortunately due to a high number of sick fucks in the world, it isn't as hypothetical as I would like it to be!'

I think that counts under rape.

How would you define 'preserve your existance' though? If a country was taken over by a dictator, they would still exist. But if you consider 'existing' as 'existing as it is currently' then you go to war for trivial reasons such as unbalanced immigration. Where would you draw the line? And who would draw it?

As for the draft, surely if you had popular support you wouldn't need the draft? And again, who would decide what popular support was? If two thirds of population support a war but only because they DON'T know all the facts, would that count?

It's a complex issue with a lot of grey areas, and I don't think there's a single objective rule. My best answer would be, you should go to war to protect the fundamental rights and liberties guranteed by your state. Of course, this is from the viewpoint of a liberal democratic state; if you're a dictatorship you're likely not very concerned about just-war theory. And as for who would draw the line, that's a question of making a government that won't screw up too badly.

I think the point of a draft is that most people won't volunteer for service, but a good portion will go if they are expected too. It's a social-norms thing. If a lot of people will actively refuse to serve and are going to start riots, you should probably think twice about both the draft and the war itself. And if two thirds of the people don't know the facts, democracy has failed already and you should be cleaning up your own house instead of getting into a war.

That morning-after pill of yours is kind of like an abortion too. Think about it..

I did. See the last paragraph of that post. :lol:

[disciple]

here is a hypothetical for you: a ten year old is tampered with by her father who says 'don't tell mum or she will be mad at you lets keep this our little secret, just like all the other times'. Some months later mum notices that her daughter is throwing up in the mornings and takes her to the doctor. The doctor does what Dr.'s do and tells the mother that her daughter is up the stick (a bit young but not impossible) and that it is not immaculate conception, in fact quite the opposite.
That is a hypothetical situation that would link incest to abortion. Unfortunately due to a high number of sick fucks in the world, it isn't as hypothetical as I would like it to be!'

I think that counts under rape.

I think you will find that is incest under its strictest definition.
I concede that it may be construed as rape (even if the child permitted it; by remaining silent), it is also pedophilia; unfortunately the only absolute black or white area of this issue is: it is a rehensible thing for an adult to do. In such cases victims should not be further traumatised by abortion laws.

[antony]

The gist of what I mean by rape is that "it isn't the victim's fault," so your scenario definately falls under that category.

[Cain]

Political Philosophy, eh?

Well, if we use Ye Olde Political Compass I am very much in agreement with civil libertarians on social issues and a centrist/slightly left on economic ones.

In international Political Philosophy I am probably a Classical Realist, though I have off days where bits of NeoLiberalism or Gramscian Marxism look like they make sense.

To answer those put up:

Views on:

Drug Policy: Legalize all, regulated (over 18s, monitor how much is sold to each person etc).
Abortion: As it is, legal.
Religion: Has nothing to do with politics and should stay that way.
Tax: What are those (don't earn enough :D )
Voting: Australian system (everyone should be made to vote, but be able to deface/spoil ballot if there is no suitable candidate)
Business: Need to be more checks on influence in politics. Some areas need more competition/freedom, some vital areas need more regulation.
Gay Marriage: No problem here. Hell, go for polygamy while you're at it.
War/Draft: The war was a bloody stupid idea from the start. Draft in principle I have no problem with, but not in the current situation where mistakes were made at the political level.

[ogunmahir]

Political philosophy is the study of fundamental questions about the state, government, politics, liberty, justice, property, rights, law and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why (or even if) they are needed, what makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it should take and why, what the law is, and what duties citizens owe to a legitimate government, if any, and when it may be legitimately overthrown—if ever. In a vernacular sense, the term "political philosophy" often refers to a general view, or specific ethic, belief or attitude, about politics that does not necessarily belong to the technical discipline of philosophy.

Three central concerns of political philosophy have been the political economy by which property rights are defined and access to capital is regulated, the demands of justice in distribution and punishment, and the rules of truth and evidence that determine judgments in the law.

-Wikipedia


So, what is your political philosophy and why? Are you a libertarian, all out leftist liberal, communist, etc, etc. The list of political philosophies could go on for days. Basically just talk about your views and how you justify them. Feel free to use the example template below.

Views on:

Drug Policy:drug usage must be controlled by informing the youth truly
Abortion:no problem if the valunteer is aware of what she's doing
Religion:completely free of charge unless used by political statements.
Tax:required unless misused by governal equips
Voting:age over 25.
Business:must be held under an organization like in communism
Gay Marriage:must be normalised by informing the society truly.
War/Draft:the meaning of being a "human" must be taught.

Add more as you like.

[punkinside]

I really don't like to categorize what i am for its tidbits of this or that all over the political map. So usually I can't get anyone to agree with me.

I am usually conflicted with my own views. I hate haters and do not tolerate intolerants. Not all generalizations are untrue and political correctness is not my strong point. Just because being offended will NOT kill you.

I believe in laissez-faire and that government should only exist to provide universally accesible and FREE (as in, everyone pays for it in taxes) health care and education.

Views on:

Drug Policy: 100% legal and not specially taxed (just like every other thing). Why charge people extra to kill themselves? Its dumb.

Abortion: Woman's choice under all circumstances.

Religion: Keep thy religion to thyself. Nobody else's business what invisible creature you worship.

Tax: Necessary, see above.

Voting: Democracy can only be successfully applied in small, Educated populations, otherwise, its just a Dictatorship of a (most likely) dumb, ignorant, or misguided mayority. (Facts that back this up: Chavez won in Venezuela, W. won reelection, Hamas won in Palestine, the iranian president was elected democtratically, and yes, sorry: Hitler)

Business: Laissez-Faire, always, forever. There are only "evil" companies because dumb consumers keep buying their products. If more people realized that eating @ Mc Donalds was bad for them, and stopped!! There would not be a Mc Donalds and people would have to look for another excuse for why they're fat.

Gay Marriage: I'm all for civil unions (for tax, owning and inheritance purposes, as well as adoptions, etc) for gay AND straight people. As for "Marriage" as a religious ritual you can't force on private clubs who can and cannot join. If christians, jews, muslims and the like believe that you will go to hell for cornholin' a fellow man, and refuse to "marry" you two crazy kids, then its their choice for their house, their rules.

War/Draft: War is inevitable. But it should only be fought by those willing to do it. So no Draft, thanx. In fact, it would be awesome if the guys that declared the war (politicians) were the first ones to shave their heads.

Thats about it. Dont flame me too much.

[GeoffBoulton]

Thats about it. Dont flame me too much.

Why would I, you've pretty much covered my views and saved me a lot of typing into the bargain ;)

I couldn't agree more about the evil companies, if people stopped using their products they wouldn't be there. I'm fat because McDonalds MADE me eat their burgers! Yeah, right! Same thing with spam, everybody complains about it so how are they making money from it? I guess there's a lot more people out there wanting a bigger penis than I thought ;)

On drugs I don't see why Governments have a problem with 'drugs' when they are quite happy to 'profit' from alcohol and tobacco for instance, both of which kill large numbers of people every year. Seems just a tad hypocritical to me ;)

The only thing I would quote differently is the attitude that the churches can do what they like, their house, their rules. The very reason they are in the position they are is because we've been 'hands off' for far too long. We can have a go at Nike for employing slave labour or Politicians when they make a balls up of the economy, etc. but the second we mention any shortcomings in religion there's a major uproar.

Surely there is a point where the ideals of a civilised society, yeah I know we've got a long way to go, take precedence over religious beliefs. Should we allow religions to openly discriminate against gays, women, or whichever minority group happens to be flavour of the day when those beliefs contadict the standards of the society in which they are practiced?

Well, that's my 2 penny-worth ;)

[punkinside]

As I said, its a club membership thing. If you want a $RELIGIOUS_AUTHORITY to perform a ritual in a $RELIGIOUS_BUILDING then you have to abide by their standards. There will always be cliques and religion is one of them. I do not think mankind is ready to let go of the concept of g*d. Its sad, but what can we do. If anything, as people begin to catch on to the stupidity of it all, then we'll see fewer religious "weddings". And the more people religions reject and attack as "sinners" and the like, the more people we'll see joining the other side.

I just can't see why homosexuals would want to be "married" in the eyes of a g*d that supposedly rejects them. Its a battle they cannot win.

[GeoffBoulton]

As I said, its a club membership thing. If you want a $RELIGIOUS_AUTHORITY to perform a ritual in a $RELIGIOUS_BUILDING then you have to abide by their standards.

Yes, I take your point on this but I was talking more generally about what religions in general should or shouldn't be allowed to do rather than any particular ceremony.

If Google, or anyone else, decided that they would have a policy barring women or gays from employment there would be uproar and quite rightly so. But when churches do the same thing it's 'okay' because it's their belief.

My point was more about the principle of whether they should be exempted from the acceptable norms of a modern and civilised society simply by hiding behind their beliefs.

[punkinside]

They should not. But still, my point was that "Gay marriage" sounds to me a lot like "Black KKK membership".

I agree that we should not be tolerating this kinds of discrimination, like I said, I hate haters, but the point always was that gays and lesbians shouldnt want to be "married" anymore than heterosexuals with a little reason would.

[GeoffBoulton]

but the point always was that gays and lesbians shouldnt want to be "married" anymore than heterosexuals with a little reason would.

I couldn't agree more. It beats me why they should want to be married in the eyes of something that hates them with a vengeance. As you say, it's a bit like having Black republicans, whoops, I meant KKK ;)

[Lyk4n]

I'm more of a socialist but I vote Democrat..

[Cain]

I'm currently finding alot of agreement with the Euston Manifesto, though my main point of dissent is over the Iraq war. Apart from that, I see little problems with it.

[JesiIncendiary]

Drug Policy: Well marijuana should be legalized, obviously. I personally don't think the government should be able to tell me what is and is not good for me. If I want to drop acid, I should be able to do so with no legal consequences since my actions, if done responsibly, do not hurt anyone else. If alcohol can be legal, so should drugs. I know America will never legalize all drugs, but I think it should be done. That's a big long debate though...so...moving on.

Abortion: Should be safe, legal, and rare. Everything should be done to explain to the woman that there are other options available to her, but ultimately, it is her choice and the government should respect that.

Religion: I don't need one, but if someone else does, that's cool. Hopefully we'll evolve past the point of needing religions sometime in the future.

Tax: Well the government has to get money from somewhere...I'm not a fan of income taxes, though.

Voting: I vote, I like voting, I get really excited during voting season. But part of me feels like the whole thing, democrats versus republicans, is just a big sham to distract us from what is really going on in D.C. But I still vote in every election, just in case it all does actually matter.

Business: Support small businesses, don't buy from Wal-Mart (shoplift from them every chance I get)

Gay Marriage: Love is love.

War/Draft: I hate war. I believe the war in Iraq is illegal and is taking the focus away from the REAL enemy, Osama Bin Laden. I believe if we go to Iraq with Iran, we will never get out of the Middle East. Eventually, they will probably have to reinstate the draft. Hopefully, by that time, I'll be living in some other country that doesn't secretly still believe in Manifest Destiny.

[Alice Shade]

Re:About drugs.

Not all the drugs can be used responsively. Though I agree, that weed can be mostly safe (at least, not worse then alcohol), even weed abuse will make for some unpretty happenings.

And what about worse stuff? Crack, china white, DMT? This shit makes you addicted from the first time you try it. What`s worse, there`s NO way to be responcible about it. I presume, that you all heard about crack whores. China white simply damages psychic so much, that most of users are in instant need of psychiatric help. DMT causes spike of aggressiveness - with pretty obvious results.


War and draft... Draft, as is, has bad and good sides. Good - it takes a lot of less then average intellect young ruffians, and teaches them good discipline. Bad - it also teaches them not to question authority. Therefore, with draft, there is a reduction in anarchy crime, but rise in organised crime.

As for war - as long as people have "fundamental" questions to disagree on, there will be always war. But war should be waged on by professionals. Who know, why they are doing it, how to do it, and what to do at it. Draftsmen should be the last line of defence before fighting on streets, really.

[Kokoba]

There's the argument that having a draft would make officials much less eager to send us off to wars. There is a disproportionately small number of people in either the house or the senate who have children in the military.

Young men and women who needed money for college, or realized they needed discipline in their lives, make up a good portion of American's armed forces--NOT people who are necessarily ready to die for any cause, and certainly not many people who were expecting to see combat like they are today. Definitely not many people who have the money a dad (possibly mom) who works in Congress earns.

[Alice Shade]

Kokoba, all the people, who are rich/powerful enough to influence draft policy in country, are also rich/powerful enough to make sure their precious offspring will not be drafted under any circumstances.

[MeTHoD-X]

Kokoba, all the people, who are rich/powerful enough to influence draft policy in country, are also rich/powerful enough to make sure their precious offspring will not be drafted under any circumstances.

I bet that would raise a few eyebrows. Hence, governments would be less willing to send their country to war. I think this is a valid argument for the draft. Hmm. I'm undecided now.

Kudos,
Matt

[Alice Shade]

Here, draft is pretty simple.

As you turn sixteen and finish school (whichever comes second), you are summoned for medical examination.

If medical shows you`re not able to perform army duties - you get alternate service (clerks, intendants and so on).

Otherwise, there is a choice. Either you make it into college/university (and get a five-year delay before draft), either you go to army right away.

In college, if it has warfare faculty, you might pick it along with your studies, and graduate from university as reserve officer, and therefore, omit draft altogether.

Otherwise, draft after university.

Obviously, recently married, with kids and such get delays, and anyone over 27 is not eligible for draft.

Thus, this system gives both draft, and dancefloor of wiggle space for everyone, who`s not keen on army.

[jon_hill987]

This is what I think should be done in this country.

Anyone deemed to thick (via exams) for further education should be drafted, everyone else should go on to college/university after they are 16.

It would mean that lazy people, who would normally leave school at 16 and claim benefits would have an incentive to work harder and learn something.

This will have the added benefit of making natural selection favour clever people again.

[-AoG-Kero]

Drug Policy: Legalize, but keep a close watch, and tax the hell out of it so its more xpensive

Abortion: Your body, your mistake, correct it as needed

Religion: Taught in school, but only the history and general beliefs about each religion taught. Freedom of religion of course

Tax: The teachers, cops, and firemen need to get money somehow

Voting: Hell ya!:icon_exclaim:

Business: Free market? idk really

Gay Marriage: Of course, gay marriage doesnt hurt anything, except for homophobes self-esteem

War/Draft: For a war overseas that WE started, hell no. For a war on our home-turf, that someone else started, hell yes

[Serenstar]

Drug Policy: Illegal except in clinics.
Abortion: Pro-choice. Should be made easier for women in the first 12 weeks.
Religion: Complete separate of religion from politics. No specific religion taught in school, instead tolerance of other people's beliefs and cultures. No religious content allowed in any public place. Religious charities merged with non-religious charities and no religious content allowed in them.
Basically religion in your home not forcing it down other people's throats and brain-washing children.
Tax: Massive tax on second homes, more than one car, and on any vehicle which is not a hybrid or runs of bio-fuel. Increased tax on using fossil fuels, no tax on using electricity which comes from renewable sources. Large tax on meat and dairy products, no tax on fruit and veg. No tax on books but tax on TVs, computers and mobile phones which has to be paid every year.
A tax of 50% of the retail price of alcohol and cigarettes. For example a pack of cigarettes costing £5 would have £2.50 tax added on.
Voting: What's the point? Labour and the Tories are as bad as each other.
Business: No real view at the moment except they should all be green.
Gay Marriage: 100% for.
War/Draft: 100% against regardless of the situation.

[punkinside]

Tax: Massive tax on second homes, more than one car, and on any vehicle which is not a hybrid or runs of bio-fuel. Increased tax on using fossil fuels, no tax on using electricity which comes from renewable sources. Large tax on meat and dairy products, no tax on fruit and veg. No tax on books but tax on TVs, computers and mobile phones which has to be paid every year.
A tax of 50% of the retail price of alcohol and cigarettes. For example a pack of cigarettes costing £5 would have £2.50 tax added on.


Well, I can maybe forgive you wanting to tax stuff like non-renewable energies, to encourage the use of "cleaner" energy sources. It makes perfect sense, though I dont agree.

The rest is just gibberish, tax on meat!? What, now being a vegan deserves a tax exemption? Are they soooo much better than us poor cavemen that enjoy a nice, big, steak? Now the philosopher-king[1] has a soft spot for vegans? What about drugs that come from animals? Lets tax the shit out of people with Type-II Diabetes too! How lucky would be lactose-intolerant people.

Taxing TV's, not books? What about radios? And audiobooks? I guess we should tax blind people that don't read braille, and everyone with a lower IQ than 120, thatll teach them to be stupid! Mwajajaja :icon_rolleyes:

To sum up: Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot!

[1] See plato's republic

[Can Not]

Drug Policy: Ban cigs and legalize canibus

Abortion: your choice, not mine

Religion: remove tax exemptions

Tax: remove income tax, sales tax is ok.
Voting: stop voting reps to vote in congress. we as a nation can make the votes ourselves.

Gay Marriage: dont need it

War/Draft: For some reason, I would prefer Bush to have openly taken control over Iraq for the sake of keeping it then to have searched for WMD while secretly making oil contracts. Other than that, wars should not be started.