Fresh, Hot Wastes of Time

In case anyone’s interested, here are my responses to the afore-mentioned quiz.

My comments are in italics.

1. TAXES & SPENDING (Check any and all statements with which you agree):

– Reduce federal spending and taxes, even if this means shifting responsibility for providing services to state and local government, private industry, charitable groups and/or individuals. Check. The smaller the government, the better.
– Increase federal spending and taxes–if needed to provide services and protection to the Americans.
– Regardless of increases or decreases, it is vitally important that federal spending and taxes are balanced. Absolutely. Any other way is idiotic.
– There should be a guaranteed livable annual income for all, including those outside the work force. Uh, you want them to hold your hand and wipe your ass too?
– Full employment for all Americans should be federal policy.
– Eliminate federal estate taxes. Of course. Why does the goverment feel it can tax you twice? Don’t even get me started.

2. Federally funded social services and poverty aid should be delivered through religious, community-based, or other non-profit organizations. These Bush administration developed legislative proposals are commonly referred to as the “faith-based initiative.”
– Agree
– Disagree
– None of the above/Prefer alternate solutions/Not sure I chose this because the way the question is worded it makes it seem that the faith-based organizations should be solely responsible for social services. I don’t think there’s a problem with them participating, but not at the expense of others who would like to join in.

3. Federal funding of welfare and assistance to unemployed and under-employed individuals and families:
– Should be increased
– Should be decreased Likely readers will not agree with this, but it’s my choice. The government is simply too big and cumbersome. There is also so much welfare fraud going on that this area must be restructured.
– No preference/None of the above/Prefer alternate solutions

4. Federal funding of “corporate welfare”, which has been defined as “special government subsidies or benefits that are targeted to specific industries or businesses”:
– Should be increased
– Should be decreased I chose this, because I’m guessing this is about stuff like farm subsidies, which I find dumb.
– No preference/None of the above/Prefer alternate solutions

5. SECURITY & TERRORISM Since 9-11 the issues of civil rights and liberties have come into conflict with issues of security. (Check any and all statements with which you agree)
– Law enforcement agencies should be granted greater discretion to read mail and email, tap phones, and conduct random searches. No. Slippery slope. We can’t give up freedom because of an undefined threat. In this way, the terrorists would acheive their goal.
– America should adopt stricter standards for international student visas. I think this is obvious, especially considering that some of the hijackers were sent visa renewal notices a few months after 9/11.
– Terrorist suspects should be tried in civilian courts with due process protections (rather than in military tribunals). Yes. There’s a reason our court system is set up the way it is, and only using it when it suits you undermines the entire system.

6. FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Check any and all statements with which you agree)
– It is appropriate for the US to take unilateral military action against enemy nations–for example Iraq.
– It is appropriate for the US to support the formation of a Palestinian state.
– It is appropriate for the US to maintain a non-interventionist foreign policy. Yes. We need to tend to our own problems before “solving” everyone else’s.
– It is bad policy for the US to attack an enemy nation pre-emptively. Yes, although pre-emptive is pretty subjective.

7. EDUCATION (Check any and all statements with which you agree)
– Allow parents to use vouchers (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any participating school: public, private or religious. Yes, as long as it’s kept to schools who choose to participate, and not forced on unwilling schools.
– Increase federal funding of public schools.
– Tie federal education funding to local public school performance.
– Support tax incentives and/or increased federal funding of programs such as grants and loans to help students attend college.

8. HEALTH CARE (Check any and all statements with which you agree)
– Support a universal health care program to guarantee coverage to all Americans regardless of income. This would be lovely, if it can be set up sensibly and we don’t end up with the problems that other countries have, like substandard care and months-long waiting lists.
– Prohibit cloning of human embryos.

9. SOCIAL SECURITY (Check any and all statements with which you agree)
– Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax into private investments. Absolutely. We earned it, we should be able to direct where it goes.
– Support measures to protect Social Security and Medicare (but excluding privatization).

10. ILLICIT DRUG LAWS Laws and penalties regarding illegal drugs such as a narcotics, hallucinogens, etc.
– Should be reduced or eliminated. Yes, but it won’t happen. It sure is a handy way for the government to make money, much like speedtraps.
– Should be enforced at current levels.
– Should be increased.
– Prevent and reduce drug use through education and counseling, but do not legalize drugs.
– No preference/None of the above/Prefer alternate solutions

11. CONVICTED FELONS’ VOTING Return the right to vote in elections to convicted felons who have served their sentences.
– Agree
– Disagree I disagree. I don’t have the exact reference from the Federalist papers, but it’s there.
– No preference/None of the above/Prefer alternate solutions

12. GUN POLICY Regarding the following special interest groups, my ideal candidate will generally support the positions of:
– The National Rifle Association, I’m a lifetime member. I’ve read the Federalist papers position on arming citizens, and like it or not the NRA really does follow that position.
– The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence,
– No preference/None of the above/Prefer alternate solutions

13. ABORTION POLICY Regarding the following special interest groups, my ideal candidate will generally support the positions of:
– Planned Parenthood, I believe it’s not the government’s place to make laws concerning my body.
– National Right to Life Committee,
– No preference/None of the above/Prefer alternate solutions

14. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Regarding the positions of the League of Conservation Voters, my ideal candidate will generally:
– Share the positions of the League of Conservation Voters
– Oppose the positions of the League of Conservation Voters
– No preference/None of the above/Prefer alternate solutions I don’t know enough about their position (stated or actual) to say.

15. MINORITY ISSUES Regarding the positions of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, my ideal candidate will generally:
– Share the positions of the NAACP
– Oppose the positions the NAACP
– No preference/None of the above/Prefer alternate solutions I don’t know enough to say – I probably agree with some (equal rights) but not others (affirmative action).

16. CIVIL LIBERTIES Regarding the positions of the American Civil Liberties Union, my ideal candidate will generally:
– Share the positions of the ACLU
– Oppose the positions of the ACLU
– No preference/None of the above/Prefer alternate solutions There is an ocean of difference between the ACLU’s positions and their actions, so I can’t honestly say I support or oppose them.

Posted General |