[slayerfanx55]

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." - Aristotle

All of the people here seem like they're pretty chill, and I don't think will attack others for dissenting opinions, but just in case gentlemen, ^the quote. Be respectful. I want to hear your opinions.

Not limited to Americans, if you have an opinion on anything, or want to challenge one of mine go for it.

I can't seem agree with any political party, and well I'm considering Poly-Sci(political science) as a major after highschool so yeah, opinions on a few things:
-War/military
-health care
-welfare
-social security
-economy
-governent
-legality of marijuanna(No "but it's fun dude." Possible problems with inmates with drug charges, etc.)
-abortion
-gay marriage



WARNING. Opinionated answers. I don't mean to offend anyone here, but the whole point is to say what I believe in, and figure out my party.



"War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!" >
I think that war is an excuse for resource collection, and establishment of US power in foreign countries. It kills young men, while our "leaders," and greedy corporate business men sit back and rake in the dough. Regardless of this, I can't wait till I join the Marines, and get in there. I think it should be mandatory to join the military for two years, but deployment should be optional for those who went involuntarily.

Healthcare. I don't know what to do about it as of right now, but free health care is not the way to go. I'm sorry, but if everyone gets healthcare free, then it becomes second rate. If the government pays doctors I'm sure it won't be as much as with privatized health care, and there will be a lower supply of doctors, and with a lower supply, you can't weed out as many lesser skilled medical students.

Welfare. :doh:FDR's biggest F*%# up. You know, during the depression, people would rather starve, than take government handouts, people killed themselves rather than take from the government. Not that it was a good thing, but it showed how people had more pride, and wanted to earn their bread. Look at America now. Full of lazy people who easily take handouts, and beg. I see people with nice shoes, and cars, and purses, (I work at a grocery store.) who use food stamps, and other governmental support. You need help from the government, but you can afford to buy a $300 coach purse, or $200 Jordans, yeah.:bs: Worse than them are homeless people. I have no sympathy for them. If I can get a job, as a minor(which is a pain.) why can't you? I highly agree with Carnegie's gospel of wealth. He believed in helping people by providing resources like libraries, and creating jobs, rather than just giving them money. There was a quote in which he basically stated that you should help only the worthy, those who are willing to put effort into the betterment of their lives. I think many corporate businessmen should look into it, you don't need billions. I believe in hard work. If you're lazy, don't be surprised at what your life is like. You get out what you put in.

Social Security I have no problem with. Governmental help is good when it goes the the sick, and disabled. Especially vets.:tup: I may joke around about the other branches being useless,(MARINES ALL DAY BABY!:bird But I respect anyone, and everyone who joins the military, especially soldiers. :tup:

The world economy is crap. US is pretty bad, we officially owe more than we make, and we're not even close to being the worst. Europe is bad. Europe is worse than the US. Mos, European governments aren't exactly socialist but have socialistic leanings. Like Englands Nationalized healthcare. It isn't working out. Wealth distribution shouldn't even be considered. I'm not rich by any standards, so not because of that. I just feel that if you work for your money, you should be able to afford what you want, and not be taxed a huge chunk of your income. I think a Free market capitalist system would be best. I mean a real one. Not this crap excuse for one that we have in the US. Laissez-faire my @$$. Politicians regulate everything.

I'd prefer a smaller government, which provided protection in general, and protection from monopolies. Other than that, no intervention in markets. Not imperialistic like our government is now. But then there's really no need for a military, and I'm out of a job. what to do, what to do?

I think pot should be legal. It really isn't even as bad as alcohol or cigarettes. I'm with Ron Paul on the legalization and taxing of marijuana, that's another good source of income that our country desperately needs. The problem is that there are many people in jail for marijuana related "crimes" so I'm not sure how that would work out.(For the record I don't smoke, or do any drugs. Except for the occasional drink of whiskey... And vodka... Occasional. Not a drunk.)>

I'm pro-choice. The thing won't even resemble a child for like the first 3-4 months. I've seen abortion videos, they don't look like babies. It's much better than a child getting abandoned, or abused, because people are idiots and can't spend $10 on some condoms. Besides with the rate of teen pregnancies, it would just be better if they had the option to abort. Kids shouldn't be raising kids. It's also not fair for a child to be born and be unwanted. Among those things it is an infringement of rights. How does someone determine what a woman can do with her body? That's just as bad as segregated water fountains.

Gay Marriage. This is a touchy subject, since gay guys make me very uncomfortable. I'm kind of homophobic, but it's just towards guys. Homosexuality between guys is disgusting IMO. Lesbians are great, and Bi-sexual women are the greatest invention ever.:yup: Trust me, I know, my girlfriend is Bi-sexual.:yup: That being said. I think that they should be allowed to get married. I know I'm not going to marry a guy, and as long as they stay away from me, I have no problem. I can respect that you have different beliefs, and I'm not the guy who goes up to a gay dude and insults him for it, or beats up people for it. I don't value any talent or ability less because of it either. IE, Freddie Mercury was a great singer, I listen to his amazing music, but I wouldn't meet him given the chance. I just think it's gross, and keep it to myself.

As far as social issues go, I generally align myself with more with the democratic party. I align myself more with republicans when it comes to economics. Socially liberal, and fiscally conservative I guess.

Who would I vote for? Poly-sci major who can't say he has a political party. Lol.

 

[SixCell]

The world economy is crap. US is pretty bad, we officially owe more than we make, and we're not even close to being the worst. Europe is bad. Europe is worse than the US. Mos, European governments aren't exactly socialist but have socialistic leanings. Like Englands Nationalized healthcare. It isn't working out. Wealth distribution shouldn't even be considered. I'm not rich by any standards, so not because of that. I just feel that if you work for your money, you should be able to afford what you want, and not be taxed a huge chunk of your income. I think a Free market capitalist system would be best. I mean a real one. Not this crap excuse for one that we have in the US. Laissez-faire my @$$. Politicians regulate everything.

Now dont drag all the european countries into this...

Norway's economy is strong, we dont have debt' we have money on book.
& we have a socialist goverment.
We also have 100% covered healthcare. (top quality one)
We have free school's too.

But hey, we do have a shitload of OIL :lmao: :tup::bird:

 

[wesley810]

http://toppun.com/Political/Democrat-Republican-AWAKE-Checkbox_small.gif

 

[Cheese Man]

I am, in most respects of the word, a socialist.

War? Good for nothing - basically helps the rich get even richer.

Health Care? Single payer system is the only way to make sure every american has good and reliable health care. Look at britain, they have a single payer system and their health care is excellent. Or even here, government-run hospitals are considered some of the best in the country.

Welfare? Nobody is getting rich off welfare, and a social safety net is absolutely necessary for all those people who cannot work at all.

Social Security? :tup:

Remind me to finish this later, I need to type this up somewhere else first so I can proofread it.

 

[slayerfanx55]

Now dont drag all the european countries into this...

Norway's economy is strong, we dont have debt' we have money on book.
& we have a socialist goverment.
We also have 100% covered healthcare. (top quality one)
We have free school's too.

But hey, we do have a shitload of OIL :lmao: :tup::bird:

Did I hear oil? Watch out, America's gonna pull another operation Iraqi freedom, and invade Norway. :hehe::hehe:

http://toppun.com/Political/Democrat-Republican-AWAKE-Checkbox_small.gif

I know, but this still doesn't find me a party to vote for.:shrug:

I am, in most respects of the word, a socialist.

Welfare? Nobody is getting rich off welfare, and a social safety net is absolutely necessary for all those people who cannot work at all.

Remind me to finish this later, I need to type this up somewhere else first so I can proofread it.

What determines whether or not you can work? We have social security for people who are sick, or disabled, and can't work, that I agree with. But welfare is just giving hand outs. Being lazy is not an excuse. At the very least we could limit welfare to a one time starting amount of cash so you can survive while you look for a job.

 

[Cheese Man]

What about people that cannot be employed? Should they just be left out in the cold?

 

[slayerfanx55]

I don't understand. If they're physically able to work, why couldn't the be employed?

 

[WorstInFinlanD]

Maybe he means handicapped, or people with tattoos all over the face.

 

[slayerfanx55]

If they're handicapped that's what social security is for. Welfare just gives free stuff to lazy people.

 

[Cheese Man]

But social security doesn't have enough money and the compensation barely keeps people above abject poverty, and often below the poverty line.

 

[inthetallgrass]

Just my opinion, but reconman, your views would make you out to be quite myopic.

I agree that abortion should be legal, and be the women's choice fully. - All I really have to say.

Weed - but it's fun man ... Drugs are an iffy topic. I'll put it out there that I think cigarettes and cigars should be made illegal. They are a curse. Weed however, I don't really know. I realize that it could bring a lot of money into economies, and create a lot of jobs, but as you said, the prison sentences etc.
That would be a lot of compensation.

As for Gay marriage, I think that people should be allowed whomever they love no matter what gender, and to say lesbians are OK but gay men aren't is a bit one sided isn't it? Merely just because you find it attractive as a man. The gays have enough crap from the fu*king catholic church. So leave them be in my opinion. I don't like the whole thing of "back entry" but it's way some people are. Only in the US of A will you hear people say "Being fat is genetics but being gay is a choice" (Okay, I stole that from a meme)

War, wars is a simple excuse to boost very particular peoples income, and increase a countries land, resources etc. (As stated before me). I Agree wholly with that statement. I do however believe in foreign intervention in the likes of humanitarian aid or to protect innocent people (Rwanda being an unfortunate case)

Healthcare? For me living in Ireland healthcare is essentially free. You just pay for certain things. But if you can't afford that it (low earner etc.) that they are free too. The facilities in general hospitals or of equal quality to those in private ones too ^^.
The private sector is for those who want to be dealt with quickly or if they
A) Have the money
B) Are insured.

Generally speaking I think our system is efficient in having heatlh care available to all of the general public. However some areas of Ireland are ridiculous, e.g my local hospital in Sligo. They are, ridiculous, they take forever to even respond to cancer patients etc. and take to long to deal with things. A friend of mine who hasn't eaten for 5 weeks (Probably intestinal cancer) is only now being given a food supplement. However if you go to a further hospital you will be dealt with more quickly. It is a sticky situation here in Ireland.
Now, as for you saying it should not be free is ridiculous, doctors work very hard to get where they are at, they are not morons. If you want top class care then go into the privatized sector.
If Healthcare wasn't free how many people would die? What about people that couldn't afford chemo. My aunt would have been one of those people, if she didn't have us (Or free healthcare). (Alas R.I.P.)

Homeless people. When you become homeless your the way out isn't in simply finding a job. You are sucked into a hole and the amenities to work are left behind. What can you do without a base? How can you find a job when you cannot make yourself look 'respectable'? When all your possessions are re-possessed? What if the homeless person is disabled and unable to work anyway? What if they are immigrants from a foreign country and have no friends or family to help them? Homelessness is a lot more than just not having a home or job. I admit, there is the case where the person is lazy, or/and a drunk and/or a drug addict, but don't generalize the masses.
One more thing to add, if you were an employer would you hire a guy that is shabby and in poor clothing over a young, enthusiastic worker who will also work for less than minimum wage? (being a minor)

Welfare - In Ireland it is called the dole. They're are FAR too many people on it in this country, BUT there are also very few jobs going around here. IF there was no dole then there would be thousands of homeless people on the streets.

Of course welfare also aids those who are physically or mentally unable to work, so what would happen to them? I believe that everyone should be able to enjoy life at least a bit, and if it makes them happy let them spend their meager dole on $200 Jordans. I just don't agree with all too common abuse i.e. claiming they need a larger dole to support children they don't even care for. (Split up parents etc.)

As for governmental, I believe that people should have more say in what happens in EVERYTHING. E.g. we gave away BILLIONS worth of land (Oil and gas rich) off of our coast for practically free, that oil would have brought billions into the economy. - Because of corruption in our government, backdoor deals like these can happen, it is why we are in a recession, + they bailed out all of our banks without vote etc.
Also wages are WAAYY to high for people in the cabinet. Our Taoiseach (Prime minister) makes more than Barrack Obama a year, Our President is a figure head, and our senate is a joke and a money pit!

Somewhat self contradictory - - - (The governmental should definitely be less privatized and less commercialized too. Run more like a machine to aid the people instead of a business, but on the other side if the government didn't run like a business it wouldn't have money to spend on the people. ??? :/ )

Also I believe in taxing but I don't think that people who in the public sector should be a susceptible to wage cuts as they are i.e both my parents. However their jobs are more stable than those working in private business etc. :/

You may live in an environment where none of these issues affect you at all but put yourself in the shoes of the people who are affected. What if you could not get a job no matter how hard you tried? - would you just starve to death? What if you had a very operable cancer but couldn't afford the operation? What would you do. You'd die. Equality is more than just treating others equally in a social light to me, it is giving everyone an opportunity to have a decent quality of life. Unfortunately it does not to many others.

That's me done, sorry if I was ranting, and/or incoherent. I am quite tired.

 

[slayerfanx55]

I think the solution for the pot issue is to legalize it, but to keep all the people in jail who were convicted of crimes relating to it. It was illegal at the time. How did it work out for the people arrested during the prohibition era?(Not a rhetorical question. I really don't know.)

I agree with your opinion on the gay thing. It does make me uncomfortable, but hey, we can coexist as long as I'm not bothered. Someone needs to do something about the catholic church. Religion as a whole serves no purpose IMO. I mean, when it was created, it had a purpose: To control the chaotic societies. It did lead to more organized civilizations, but look at all the problems it caused as well. I think they should have done away with it, or limited it influence like three centuries ago. Society now has a justice system, which although flawed, can help keep people in check.

I'm with you 100% that intervention for humanitarian aid a good reason for war, but only for that. See, but although I know this is the right way to go, it still puts me out of my dream job. No wars all the time, no need for Mr.Marine.

You make a good point. I didn't really think about that or really look into it, but as long as a private sector is kept then I guess free healthcare could work. I believe that convenience comes at a price. I had just assumed that universal healthcare meant the same for everyone, and abolished the private sector.

I stand firm on the welfare issue. Too many people abuse it. I know this one homeless guy that I pass by sometimes, who would always offer to wash your car, clean it etc, those type of people should get help in order to jump start their lives, but for the most part, the homeless people here just sit and beg. I have seen this first hand: My friends mom stopped by a McDonalds to get us something to eat a few years ago, and a Homeless guy asked her for money. She offered to buy him a meal, and he declined and walked away angry. It's not just one guy, a lot of them are like that. I've also seen multiple signs saying "Need money for beer." Although it's hilarious, it's also infuriating that people don't even put effort into doing anything about their situations.

 

[inthetallgrass]

We'd better not make this an argument on religion. Frankly I think it is something which has held us back greatly, I think this is a funny graph to illustrate how
Not accurate but damn funny XD

I see your problem with the welfare. It is rampant here, but I still believe that it is worth it if it benefits those who couldn't live a decent life without it. Now England's welfare system, that is Ridiculous. Life is much easier if you are unemployed than if you are working, and you have tons of benefits. It is as if they are actually trying to get people to go on the dole.

 

[slayerfanx55]

:lmao::lmao: Okay. Now that we've had our laugh let's stop the religion talk. :hehe::hehe:

 

[lupin2000]

Not really sure what I am. Not fully a Democrat, but I don't like a lot of what the Republican's do.

-War/military Like what was said earlier. War simply makes the rich, richer.

-health care I think if we had a system here in the USA, like they have in some of the EU countries, I think we would be better off.

-welfare Welfare to Work programs are great... Welfare without the person truly attempting to get a job, should be made to go work on the farms and replace the illegal immigrants.

-social security Good idea, needs to be reformed and better funded (ex: take the $$$ wasted on war and put it here)

-economy Tax systems needs to be completely revamped. The politicians should not be making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Politicians should also not be allowed to receive any kind of political contribution or donation.

-governent Getting to big, this is coming from a government employee. The politicians should not be making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Politicians should also not be allowed to receive any kind of political contribution or donation.

-legality of marijuanna(No "but it's fun dude." Possible problems with inmates with drug charges, etc.) Make it legal and tax it. Problem solved. It isn't a "bad" drug, like narcotics

-abortion Freedom of choice. Not my body, so why should I care.

-gay marriage This is easy... I'm gay and I can't wait for the day (hopefully soon) that my partner and I can truly say we are married. We have the domestic partnership, but that just simply says we are 2nd class citizens.

Edit:
I almost forgot the big one that proves I'm not completely a Democrat.
Gun laws - Gun laws only keep law abiding citizens (good movie by the way) from having easy access to guns for self defense. I shouldn't have to go through a thorough background check, then wait 5 - 7 weeks for a gun, and then be limited on top of that to a small choice of guns. The 2nd Amendment is there for a reason. WHY THE F***K am I being restricted in owning arms?!?!?!?!

Edit2:
Death Sentence vs Life without parole - one short and simple answer. Bullets are cheaper!

Edit3:
On the gay marriage subject, everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I won't take offense if anyone voices their views that it shouldn't be allowed.

 

[inthetallgrass]

Inmates who are up for death row should be given the choice between a horrible life and death... at any time.

BUT, I don't believe in the current prison system, particularly that in America. Ye have the highest percentage of population in prison in the world! IT's ridiculous.

Have a look at the likes of this -

 

[slayerfanx55]

Lupin, thanks for bringing that up. Gun laws are ridiculous.

And ITTG, I agree, our prisons, and our laws should be changed. How is it possible for someone to get more jail time in certain cases for smoking pot, than killing someone? Norway's prison system looks pretty good. Like I've said about welfare, if you're willing to put in the effort to better yourself, you deserve a chance.

 

[grant23]

I also think the school system should be addressed, most specifically the US school system, as that is the only one I am familiar with.

As a private schooler, I do not have full experience here, but neither would a full public schooler. Naturally, both are biased towards their own system. However I can say that the average SAT scores for my area were 200 points lower than that of my school, and it's not that we can afford better teachers, we are actually rather poor. We don't even own the building we use.

One thing that I think is terrible about the public school system is the tenure. (correct me on anything here, I've only talked about it with my teachers, I haven't actually seen any definitive info for myself) I was talking to my social studies teacher, and he was saying that if you want to get rid of a teacher with so many years of teaching at a public school, then you have to get rid of all the teachers with less experience first. Tell me what's wrong with this. Never mind, what's wrong is that if a teacher has enough experience or tenure, they can just slack off. (as it appears, it just seems as though you would literally have to be drunk with your head up your rear end to say this was acceptable)

Edit: is the public school system at all under the control of the federal gov., or is it under the state?

I need more time to think on the other subjects.

 

[woogie]

Our prison system is a joke.

You go to prison you should have no tv, no gyms, no library, no religious rights, no schooling, and the list could go on...

I think it is a joke as well that if i go out and kick a cat out of my yard I can go to jail for 5 years....INSTANTLY! BUT if I go to the local mall and shoot 30 people I will be in an "easy" jail for up to 4 years before being tried for the crime. Then still be able to get out in 10 years and get back to my life..... how is that fair?!

 

[dutton]

Our prison system is a joke.

You go to prison you should have no tv, no gyms, no library, no religious rights, no schooling, and the list could go on...

How about this one Woogie?!

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2012/09/04/judge-orders-sex-change-operation-for-federal-prisoner/