Laws or issues that you support or want adopted

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

One thing I'm in favor of is a Line Item Veto amendment. Yes, the actual law was declared unconstitutional, but it's a good idea. I'm sure there's some way to water down parts which would be denounced.

 

Another thing I'd like to see more of is run-off elections in primaries. I've read results from here in Missouri where one candidate gets like 28% of the vote, and gets the nomination. At least have a runoff around. That doesn't apply to the South, the capital of the runoff.

 

I'm sure there's something else, but i'm not able to recall it right now.

 

How about you guys? What do you want to see become law?

[NoCalMike 0]

legalization of marijuana

 

legalization gay marriage or the equivalent as far as rights/benefits go

 

Stop any and all funds and operations for "The War on Drugs"

 

Modify the Three Stikes law to make it violent felonies

[snuffbox 0]

Allow most felons (depending on the crime) the right to vote after they have been released

 

Legalization/taxation of marijuana; funding for the medicinal studies of marijuana and MDMA

 

Create an extradition policy between the United States and Taiwan (or any other nations where currently have none)

 

Lower the legal drinking age to 18

 

Have a mandatory voting/civics class for juniors/seniors in high school

 

Mandatory minimum sentences for violent crimes

 

Legalize and provide better/safer control for prostitution and gambling

 

Increase the minimum wage by at least 1.50, with help of the business tax-cuts, so that poor/middle class families can exist in far greater living conditions (yes, this is the major issue where I disagree with my libertarianism)

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

How about a repeal of McCain-Feingold? I'd be all for that.

[Guest MikeSC]

How about a repeal of McCain-Feingold? I'd be all for that.

Big time.

 

Also, repeal the 16th Amendment.

-=Mike

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

legalization of marijuana

 

legalization gay marriage or the equivalent as far as rights/benefits go

 

Stop any and all funds and operations for "The War on Drugs"

 

Modify the Three Stikes law to make it violent felonies

So you're a gay petty crook who does pot -- not that there's anything wrong with that...

[EricMM 0]

The ENVIRONMENT.

 

Penalize over-pollution, penalize under-efficency, from the President down to the everyday man.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

What's your definition of "over pollution" and "under efficency," and what would be considered a penalty -- not running your car on soy milk?...

[Dr. Tom 0]

-- Legalize (and tax the sale of) all drugs. Build penalties into the system so that anyone who harms someone else while under the influence gets the book thrown at them, hard.

-- Legalize prostitution and devise safety controls based on the NV model.

-- Legalize euthenasia.

-- Repeal McCain-Feingold.

-- Legalize gambling, again using the NV system as a model.

-- Send the gay marriage issue to the states for referendum.

-- Allow felons convicted of nonviolent crimes the right to vote.

-- A simple flat tax, with several tiers based on income, to replace the income tax. Build tax breaks into the system for small business owners and families with multiple children.

-- Double aid to Israel and remove the leash.

-- A real commitment to cut spending in the federal government.

-- The execution of all lobbyists in DC.

-- A complete change to the bill policies of Congress, so that ridiculous pork can't be attached to an existing bill. Anyting proposed must have its own bill, not ride on the coattails of a larger one.

-- Term limits in Congress. 12 years is all you get.

-- Restructure copyright and intellectual property laws so that companies don't have an eternal stranglehold on creations. Things are supposed to go into the public domain at some point. As an addendum, legalize file sharing to make archaic fuckheaded conglomerates like the RIAA devise a working business model for the digital age.

 

There are probably some more, but those are the big ones.

[snuffbox 0]

-- Legalize (and tax the sale of) all drugs. Build penalties into the system so that anyone who harms someone else while under the influence gets the book thrown at them, hard.

-- Legalize prostitution and devise safety controls based on the NV model.

-- Legalize euthenasia.

-- Repeal McCain-Feingold.

-- Legalize gambling, again using the NV system as a model.

-- Send the gay marriage issue to the states for referendum.

-- Allow felons convicted of nonviolent crimes the right to vote.

-- A simple flat tax, with several tiers based on income, to replace the income tax. Build tax breaks into the system for small business owners and families with multiple children.

-- Double aid to Israel and remove the leash.

-- A real commitment to cut spending in the federal government.

-- The execution of all lobbyists in DC.

-- A complete change to the bill policies of Congress, so that ridiculous pork can't be attached to an existing bill. Anyting proposed must have its own bill, not ride on the coattails of a larger one.

-- Term limits in Congress. 12 years is all you get.

-- Restructure copyright and intellectual property laws so that companies don't have an eternal stranglehold on creations. Things are supposed to go into the public domain at some point. As an addendum, legalize file sharing to make archaic fuckheaded conglomerates like the RIAA devise a working business model for the digital age.

 

There are probably some more, but those are the big ones.

I didnt realize Tom and I shared so many common opinions...

 

Will you be voting for Badnarik in Nov?

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Decreased censorship and government meddling in the personal affairs of citizens.

 

Increased protection of our borders.

[Dr. Tom 0]

He's the Libertarian candidate, I presume?

 

I guess, because I've said for over a year now that I'm not voting for Bush, despite being a supporter of his and satisfied with his performance overall. I can't support Ashcroft as AG (really, the man should've had some consideration and died when he was undergoing surgery), and I can't get behind the Jesus Freak Agenda. So it's a third-party fellow for me.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

More guns, drugs, hookers, and gambling, too.

 

Oh, and Tax the churches. The fabulously wealthy televangelists don't deserve to have that much money.

[snuffbox 0]

He's the Libertarian candidate, I presume?

 

I guess, because I've said for over a year now that I'm not voting for Bush, despite being a supporter of his and satisfied with his performance overall. I can't support Ashcroft as AG (really, the man should've had some consideration and died when he was undergoing surgery), and I can't get behind the Jesus Freak Agenda. So it's a third-party fellow for me.

Yeah, LP candidate...Good choice.

 

And its near impossible to argue against Johnboy Ashcroft's worthlessness.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I'm also surprised I agree with so many of Tom's opinions. For me..

 

-- Legalize (and tax the sale of) all drugs. Build penalties into the system so that anyone who harms someone else while under the influence gets the book thrown at them, hard.

-- Legalize prostitution and devise safety controls based on the NV model.

-- Legalize euthenasia.

-- Legalize gambling, again using the NV system as a model.

-- A simple flat tax, with several tiers based on income, to replace the income tax. Build tax breaks into the system for small business owners and families with multiple children.

-- Cut aid to Israel.. I know I'll get blasted on here for saying it, but this is the reason the US has been villified in the Arab world. We're continuing to provide help to a country that didn't have a right to be there when it came into existance after WWII.

-- Term limits in Congress. 12 years is all you get.

-- End the Cuban embargo. We're doing not nearly as much harm to the government as we are to the people by cutting all trade off with them. Meanwhile, all the revolutions, drug cartels, etc. in Latin American countries are supported and aided by guess who? If you thought Saddam was a problem and a threat, consider the fact that:

1. Fidel is only 90 miles from our shore (not like we wouldn't be able to defend it, but hear me out..)

2. His revolution, helped by Che Guevara, was the catalyst for the poor state and third-world status most of Central America and South America is in.

3. Has been in power since 1959, while Saddam has been in power since 1979

4. There is oil in Columbia and Venezuela, one of which is controlled by a very good friend of Castro.

5. While focusing on the problems of terrorism around the world, we've virtually ignored the problem much closer to home.

6. The uprising in Haiti late 2003/early 2004? Where did they get all those weapons and aid so quickly? Makes you wonder.. (Cuba is the island just to the west, even closer than Florida is to Cuba)

[Dangerous A 0]

Legalize drugs, prostitution, and gambling.

 

I also liked the mandatory sentencing for violent felonies. Those are the people who need gray bars, not junkies.

 

I will probrably be voting for the Liberterian candidate as well. I can't get behind Kerry and Bush has too many question marks about him and has done enough bad to where he doesn't deserve a second term. I know that the Lib party candidate has zero chance of winning, but hey, that's where my vote is going and my vote counts, right?

 

:: DA sees that he is registered to vote in "set in stone" democratic state, California ::

 

Aw fuck.

[Styles 0]

He's the Libertarian candidate, I presume?

 

I guess, because I've said for over a year now that I'm not voting for Bush, despite being a supporter of his and satisfied with his performance overall.  I can't support Ashcroft as AG (really, the man should've had some consideration and died when he was undergoing surgery), and I can't get behind the Jesus Freak Agenda.  So it's a third-party fellow for me.

General, far be it for me to tell you how to vote, but I find your stance curious. What state are you voting in? Is it a foregone conclusion who will win or is it close?

 

See, because I too share your opinions of Bush. I respect the man, and support his foreign policy and economic agendas. I'm not religious at all, so Im not into most of his conservative social policies, and Ashcroft can definitely go tommorow for all I care, but is that really enough not to earn your vote? I mean, its almost impossible to match up with a candidate perfectly on every issue. If our security, the war on terror, tax cuts, healthcare, etc. are the most important issues we face, which they are, and wouldn't they trump relatively minor social issues, that really don't amount to much except rhetoric? As for Ashcroft, every administration is going to have at least one nutjob in it. Just ignore him like that crazy uncle everyone has. I am voting in Maryland, pretty much a forgone conclusion state for Kerry, but I will give my vote to Bush anyway, because you never know what way momentum could shift.

And do you really want to vote for that nut Bandarik? Here are actual reasons he gives on his website to vote for him instead of Bush:

-The Bush administration lied to the American people in order to invade Iraq

-The Bush administration plans to re-institute the draft after the election

-Bush administration policies have created an increase in the cost of petroleum products

-Bush administration, under the guise of national security has nearly bankrupted the transportation industry

-If George Bush wins this election, Hillary Clinton will be the democratic nominee in 2008

-The Bush administration has usurped state and local control on multiple issues

 

I just don't understand the 3rd party mentality unless you TRULY hate both candidates and are in a one sided state. Otherwise, you might as well vote for the candidate with a chance of winning that you agree with the most.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Let's see how the General and I stack up:

 

Legalize (and tax the sale of) all drugs. Build penalties into the system so that anyone who harms someone else while under the influence gets the book thrown at them, hard.

 

Mostly agree -- I really don't care about this issue though. If you get busted, don't bitch.

 

Legalize prostitution and devise safety controls based on the NV model.

 

Sure

 

Legalize euthenasia.

 

Works for me

 

Repeal McCain-Feingold.

 

Yes

 

Legalize gambling, again using the NV system as a model.

 

Yeppers

 

Send the gay marriage issue to the states for referendum.

 

No because when one state adopts it it'll have to be recognized in every state.

 

Allow felons convicted of nonviolent crimes the right to vote.

 

No, only because they'll probably vote democrat.

 

A simple flat tax, with several tiers based on income, to replace the income tax. Build tax breaks into the system for small business owners and families with multiple children.

 

Disagree only because a flat tax with tiers based on income sounds like an income tax to me.

 

Double aid to Israel and remove the leash.

 

Don't Jews have enough money? I agree with the leash comment.

 

real commitment to cut spending in the federal government.

 

No -- I want more pork projects. Of course I agree.

 

The execution of all lobbyists in DC.

 

Sure, except for the ones representing my interests.

 

A complete change to the bill policies of Congress, so that ridiculous pork can't be attached to an existing bill. Anyting proposed must have its own bill, not ride on the coattails of a larger one.

 

Agree. Never happen though.

 

Term limits in Congress. 12 years is all you get.

 

No -- the ballot box solves "term limits," even if that means Ted Kennedy has a job in DC.

 

Restructure copyright and intellectual property laws so that companies don't have an eternal stranglehold on creations. Things are supposed to go into the public domain at some point. As an addendum, legalize file sharing to make archaic fuckheaded conglomerates like the RIAA devise a working business model for the digital age.

 

Sorta agree. Don't care about file sharing, but I agree more with the first part.

 

Am I still a Col. after that display?...

[Dr. Tom 0]

General, far be it for me to tell you how to vote, but I find your stance curious. What state are you voting in? Is it a foregone conclusion who will win or is it close?

I'm in MD, which always nominates the Democrat. Of course, we elected a Republican governor for the first time in a dog's age two years ago, so maybe there's hope. The problem is, Baltimore and Baltimore County, and Montgomery County vote Democrat, while the rest of the state votes the right way: Republican. The three big population centers outnumber the sensible folks, though. I haven't hard MD described as a "swing state," so I'm guessing most people are chalking it up as +D.

 

Meh, Bednarik sounds like a nutbar, which is my general problem with the Libertarian Party. Maybe it's time to vote for Mickey Mouse via the ol' write-in option...

[Dr. Tom 0]

Send the gay marriage issue to the states for referendum.

No because when one state adopts it it'll have to be recognized in every state.

Not true, I think. I remember reading that the "full faith and credit" clause wouldn't apply, but I'll be dashed if I can remember why. I don't really have the time to look it up now, or else I would.

 

Allow felons convicted of nonviolent crimes the right to vote.

No, only because they'll probably vote democrat.

Just the black ones...

 

Disagree only because a flat tax with tiers based on income sounds like an income tax to me.

Well, there wouldn't be nearly so many tiers, and the overall tax rate would be lower. I think those who can afford to pay more should, but we also can't penalize people for being successful.

 

Term limits in Congress. 12 years is all you get.

No -- the ballot box solves "term limits," even if that means Ted Kennedy has a job in DC.

Two words: Strom Thurmond.

 

Am I still a Col. after that display?...

You might need some KP for a few nights, after that hippie thought on term limits...

[snuffbox 0]

Its a real shame that the LP cant relinquish its crazier anarchist tendencies...If they could take a more sensible approach, the party might grow to actually have a chance nationally one day.

 

Despite doing some work for the Kerry campaign... I have considered writing in 'Richard M. Nixon' because that man knew football, and Kerry called the fabled Green Bay football stadium "Lamberg Field"

[Guest MikeSC]

-- Legalize (and tax the sale of) all drugs. Build penalties into the system so that anyone who harms someone else while under the influence gets the book thrown at them, hard.nes.

Gotta completely disagree on this one. Legalize pot for all I care --- but there is no benefit to legalizing cocaine, heroin, et al. It will simply cause more problems than we wish to deal with.

-- Legalize prostitution and devise safety controls based on the NV model.

Legalize it --- but screw safety controls. If you want to bang a hooker, you know what you're taking a risk of.

-- Legalize euthenasia.

Don't trust doctors enough to do that. They can easily overstate how bad a patient is.

-- Repeal McCain-Feingold.

I'd say vote them out of office for even proposing it. And I wish another Republican ran against Bush so I could have voted for him to protest Bush signing this abortion of a bill.

-- Legalize gambling, again using the NV system as a model.

I have no problems with gambling or lotteries (they are wonderful idiot taxes). However, if one follows the NV model, how would one handle sports betting, since NV, if I'm not mistaken, does not permit betting on teams in NV.

-- Send the gay marriage issue to the states for referendum.

Agreed 100%

-- Allow felons convicted of nonviolent crimes the right to vote.

Nah. Teach the idiots a lesson about doing stupid shit.

-- A simple flat tax, with several tiers based on income, to replace the income tax.  Build tax breaks into the system for small business owners and families with multiple children.

Have to oppose having multiple tiers, as that opens up the entire thing to become the same monstrosity. I personally support a consumption tax, but I know my goal won't ever happen.

-- Double aid to Israel and remove the leash.

Absolutely. Hell, I still want to know how we can be obsessed with oil, yet our biggest ally in that region is the country with no oil whatsoever and that the countries with oil hate and are pissed at us for supporting.

-- A real commitment to cut spending in the federal government.

I'd love it, but I recognize the impossibility of it. Since the biggest cuts would come from Social Security, where people get several times more out of it than they pay into it.

-- The execution of all lobbyists in DC.

Well, provided they're not hot chicks and would offer me, should I ever get office, sex for my vote.

-- A complete change to the bill policies of Congress, so that ridiculous pork can't be attached to an existing bill.  Anyting proposed must have its own bill, not ride on the coattails of a larger one

I agree fully.

-- Term limits in Congress.  12 years is all you get. 

Disagree, actually. If people want to vote for you, more power to them.

-- Restructure copyright and intellectual property laws so that companies don't have an eternal stranglehold on creations.  Things are supposed to go into the public domain at some point.  As an addendum, legalize file sharing to make archaic fuckheaded conglomerates like the RIAA devise a working business model for the digital age.

RIAA's policies are horrendous, but I don't think rewarding people for violating the law to protest is a bad idea.

-=Mike

[Styles 0]

As I said, I vote in Maryland too, Dr. Tom. It's def. an uphill battle, but there's hope Bush could ride somewhat on Gov. Ehrlich's coattails, but its up to all of us, especially the "swing" voters to come out strong for Bush to have any chance. Nader is on the ballot too, so who knows maybe he'll leech some of Kerry's support away. To each his own, but I can't bring myself to throw my vote away, especially on a 3rd party nut like Banderik.

What district are you in? Im in the 8th, and I REALLY like what I've read from candidate Chuck Floyd www.floydforcongress.com and I absolutely despise Chris Van Hollen who is about as worthless and hallow as a politician can get. They redistricted us before the last election to get 8 term Republican Connie Morella voted out by adding part of a heavily black county to our district (not that Morella was any conservative, she was quite liberal but at least popular and got things done). Now I don't know if there's much hope.

The Senate race is going to be a slaughter which is really a shame. Barbra Mikulski is an ancient, useless, ultra liberal, who will probably die before she steps down. EJ Pipkin seems like a really weak paper candidate all around, but God bless him he has my vote... www.pipkinforsenate.com

[EricMM 0]

What's your definition of "over pollution" and "under efficency," and what would be considered a penalty -- not running your car on soy milk?...

 

Over pollution? I suppose the first and foremost concern is the efficency of America, I'd force efficency onto people through economic modifiers, since no one takes ecological impact into account when they total the cost of ANYTHING in this country.

 

Do something like Taiwan did with their garbage. Use state supplied garbage bags, have them cost a lot, and only collect trash from those bags. Levy large fines on people not having their trash removed. Of course leave recycling alone. You'd find much more recycling and reduction of waste when it becomes ecologically advantagious to do so.

 

Just fucking tax gas. Tax gas guzzlers. subsidize gas efficency.

 

Make coal power cost more than nuclear, and make nuclear cost more than wind water and solar. Make people lobby for any availible renewable sources in their area.

 

In terms of pollution, figure out what the minimum possible amount of pollution for any given industry is, and make that if not legally required, economically advantagious. Again, tax high polluters unmercifully. If we're paying medical bills for athesma et al, at least charge the polluters (ditto a new superfund)

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Use state supplied garbage bags, have them cost a lot, and only collect trash from those bags.

 

Hell no, I use several lawn bags every time I mow my lawn.

 

Fuck you're a hippie. But at least you're honest with your views, and I respect that. You're not one of these faggy "I'm an independent, but anything Bush does is the SUQ" people.

 

Now in response to The General:

 

Not true, I think. I remember reading that the "full faith and credit" clause wouldn't apply, but I'll be dashed if I can remember why. I don't really have the time to look it up now, or else I would.

 

I don't believe that for a second. Some liberal pinko red diaper doper baby judge will rule that it is and that will be the end of this discussion.

 

Just the black ones.

 

Oh, ok then. Don't forget the Mexicans, too.

 

Well, there wouldn't be nearly so many tiers, and the overall tax rate would be lower. I think those who can afford to pay more should, but we also can't penalize people for being successful.

 

I hear you, but if we're going to have a flat tax it should be, you know, FLAT. I also agree with streamlining the tax system like you first said.

 

Two words: Strom Thurmond.

 

I was going to mention Strom but he's dead now. With freedom comes responsibility. Sometimes voters are morons, and that the cost of living in a free society.

 

You might need some KP for a few nights, after that hippie thought on term limits.

 

So you want drugs legal and free music stealing for everybody and yet you call ME the hippie? I beg to differ...

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

Question for V-X: I'd like to know more about how Fidel/Che fucked over South America, or was it just Fidel once Che died? Inform me, everyone seems to love Che these days.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I think people are in love with Che because of Rage Against the Machine, or something. He was as much a revolutionary as Fidel, Mao, or Ho Chi Minh. That last example is quite exemplified in this brief biography I found for ya here..

Source: http://www.marxists.org/glossary/people/g/u.htm#guevara-che

Guevara, Che (1928-1967)

 

Argentinian doctor; joined Castro in Mexico in 1954; a leader of the 1956-59 Cuban Revolution. Che served as president of Cuba's national bank and as Cuba's minister of industry in the period immediately following the Cuban Revolution.

 

Towards the end of his formal affiliation with the Cuban government, Che came to implicitly criticize Soviet bureacracy. His positions put him at odds with the party line of the Cuban CP and this ultimately led to his resignation and his return to revolutionary work abroad.

 

During Che's subsequent revolutionary campaigns, he wrote his Message to the Tricontinental (1967) in which he openly criticized the Soviet Union; claiming that the Northern hemisphere of the world, both the Soviet Union and the US, exploited the Southern hemisphere of the world. He strongly supported the Vietnamese Revolution, and urged his comrades in South America to create "many vietnams".

 

In 1965 Che left Cuba to set up guerrilla forces first in the Congo and then later in Bolivia, where he was ultimately captured and killed in October 1967. Accounts of his execution have varied over the years, but many contemprary accounts indicate some degree of collaboration between Bolivia's government troops and the United States CIA.

 

Guevara developed a theory of primacy of military struggle, in particular concept of guerilla foquismo. Many of Che's theories regarding guerilla tactics are articulated in his 1961 work "Guerilla Warfare."

 

There's a movie coming out soon titled "The Motorcycle Diaries" detailing his life, although surely in a positive light as a revolutionary. What many people don't realize is his influence, along with Castro's, is the cause of a great deal of many of the revolutions and guerillas you see in Central and South America nowadays, and even worse was Che's death has been spinned since then to make him a martyr of a revolutionary cause.

 

Then all these braindead teenage twats in America see a t-shirt with his face on it and think it'd be cool to wear it, mindless of who the person is or what he may have stood for. *sigh*

[Guest MikeSC]

Term limits in Congress. 12 years is all you get.

No -- the ballot box solves "term limits," even if that means Ted Kennedy has a job in DC.

Two words: Strom Thurmond.

Again, I'll remind you --- Strom ran against drooling idiots. People who make Maxine Watters seem incredibly bright.

 

He was elected because there just were no other options.

-=Mike

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

Term limits for congress is impractical.

 

But with large numbers of new members and all that, there's potential for lots of sudden change. Which may not be that great.

 

On a state level, term limits work. Since a lot of state legislators can move up to larger jobs or they can do something else.

[Guest CronoT]

My one un-movable stance is rather simple, really. Find all the illegal aliens, and kick them the fuck out.