So, I was reading this thread, which had a poll I considered incomplete. There just aren't enough boxes. After thinking about it, I realized you'd need a lot of boxes. So I wrote up some questions, if you'd like to explain your philosophy. I'd like to request that if you participate in this, you don't attack other people's views. Let me repeat that: I don't want this to turn into a locked crap fling - asking for clarification is fine, calling someone a tool because they like Ayn Rand is not. I am hoping we could use this to see how other people feel about the world, politically.

Feel free and add more questions if you think they're better then what I have.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?

How do you generally vote?

What sources do you get your political news from?

... and how often do you do so?

How do you feel about...

Abortion:
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:
Religion:
Global Warning\Climate Change:
Gun Control:
Healthcare:
OWS:
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?

What do you do for a living?

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Liberal

How do you generally vote? Democrat

What sources do you get your political news from? NPR, MSNBC, CNN, Daily Show

... and how often do you do so? Daily

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Hate it, but it's between the mother and their god/goddess.
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Shouldn't be debated. we should be ashamed it's not legal yet.
Religion: Interesting stories...
Global Warning\Climate Change: is real. see y'all in Arizona bay....
Gun Control: people should be allowed access to weapons for hunting/defense. That said Full auto and 1000 round mags are a bit much!
Healthcare: should be single payer and provided by insurance or the Government.
OWS: They have as much right to be heard as the Tea Party
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: I believe is needed in certain times. (looks towards Sandusky)

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? It's already making my head hurt. Obama in a squeaker if he goes against Romney.
Anyone else he smokes.

What do you do for a living? Burglar/Fire Alarm Service Technician

also:
I like long walks on the beach.
can't say no to a frozen Margerita.
And wear a promise ring. well until we go to bed on the first date....


Did i just sign up for Match.com or Eharmony?!

edit: i screwed up!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Hey Ouze, where are your answers to your Questions?

What would you describe as your political affiliation? I don't currently have one. When I first registered to vote in 1994, it was for the NY Liberal party, which no longer exists. I'm no longer registered with any party. I'd consider myself a moderate, left-leaning centrist.

How do you generally vote? I vote for both Democrats and Republicans, depending on how they fit with my stances on stuff.

What sources do you get your political news from? Realclearpolitics, Politico, Slate, Dailybeast, and to a much lesser degree, CNN. I don't have cable TV and do not watch TV in general (I do acquire TV shows, but never news). I really like opinion pieces from Robert Samuelson, David Frum and Glenn Greenwald, and often read George Will even if I agree with him less.

... and how often do you do so? I read RCP about once a night, and Slate about once a week. I skim CNN and MSNBC several times daily but that's are both for general news, not for political things. I rarely read the political sections on either CNN or MSNBC since they're both usually utter crap.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Current status quo is fine. I think women have the right to choose, and think safe, legal abortions are good for society as a whole.
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: I don't think the government at any level should be in the marrying business at all, straight or gay. I think it should be a church function if you're religious, or a civil ceremony if you're not, and all would be legally equivalent.
Religion: I'd consider myself agnostic. I don't believe in god, but I'm open to the possibility, and if I saw evidence I'd believe (my friend quickly pointed out that that would be "knowing", not believing, but he's a hair splitter).
Global Warning\Climate Change: I think it's likely, but I'm not clear that either it's caused by humans, or that we could influence it. In general I think the planet is indifferent to us.
Gun Control: Generally speaking, the current status quo. I don't believe in banning weapons because they look scary, as was the case with the old Assault Weapons ban which banned grips of certain types. On the other hand, I think some weapons are so inherently destructive that they do not belong in the hands of the general populace so there should be some rational limits. To my thinking, there is no argument to be made for private ownership of, say, Stinger Missiles or hand grenades. I do believe in licensing for handguns, under "shall-issue" - having it be discretionary is crap.
Healthcare: I'd like to see a national system similar to the NHS.
OWS: Misguided. I think they're protesting against the wrong people. They didn't rob the treasury for bailout money, it was handed to them - forced upon them, in some instances - by administrations of both parties. They should be occupying Congress instead.
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: In theory, I think it's fine. I think some crimes are so heinous that your life is forfeit, even if it has no deterrent value. However, I don't think it's being issued in a fair manner currently and I'd like to see a national moratorium on it's use until the requirements for it are tightened up. I'd rather err on the side of life imprisonment barring indisputable evidence (DNA + video, or similar).

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? I think it's still to early to call. At this point in 2007, we all knew it would be a matchup between Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani, right?

What do you do for a living? I work at a helpdesk supporting several global corporations, most of which have a unique interpretation of what "english speaking" means.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

alarmingrick wrote:Hey Ouze, where are your answers to your Questions?

I was writing them I didn't want to put them in the same post so people could just quote mine and have a clean template.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?

Somewhat right of center independent.

How do you generally vote?

I vote for whoever I think is going to do the best job. I think straight ticket voting is moronic.

What sources do you get your political news from?

Drudge, HuffPo, BBC, NPR

... and how often do you do so?

Daily

How do you feel about...

Abortion:

Not a fan, though I'm willing to compromise on early abortions if we can get rid of the late term ones.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:

All citizens of the country should have the same rights. Christians that come down really hard on homosexuality should read about "Let ye who are without sin cast the first stone" a few more times.

Religion:

Christian.

Global Warning\Climate Change:

Irrelevant. I'm anti-pollution and pro-conservation independent of this debate. I want the world to be cleaner. Period.

Gun Control:

Booooooooooo.

Healthcare:

I would love to live in a world where getting sick didn't mean you had bills for the rest of your life.

OWS:

Any valid points that this movement had have taken a back seat to their sideshow antics. They make the Tea Party look like sane and reasonable citizens.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty

Eye for an eye.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?

It's too early to tell, really.

What do you do for a living?

I'm a full time student.

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Libertarian.

How do you generally vote? Republican, as the realistic alternative makes me even less enthused than the Republican.

What sources do you get your political news from? The internet and word of mouth, confirmed by at least three separate sources. Tends to get one a clearer picture.

... and how often do you do so? Just about every <CENSORED> time I touch a keyboard and check my stuff, somebody is trying to wrench the works.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: If it isn't mine it's between you and the mirror lady, but don't expect me to think you are a hero for doing it. If it is mine, expect me to fight like hell if that's the path you want to take. You don't have to take care of it, but I am going to fight like hell to make sure it lives long enough for that to be an issue.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Sure. The "Sanctity of marriage" argument doesn't fly far in an environment where the divorce rate is 50%+. I don't think that two dudes getting married is what is going to make God suddenly frown on the 5 minute session the Jetson's had at the drive-in chapel in Vegas followed by a divorce 3 months later.

Religion: It's all fine and good until you start advocating the obstruction, injury or death of those who have never brought harm to your doorstep. Then I get pissed.

Global Warning\Climate Change: I'll let the people who actually know something about the issue deal with it. I am not a scientist and this issue has plenty of shrieking, ill-informed, ignorant opinions as it is across the planet.

Gun Control: It means using BOTH hands. No violent crime in your record? No history that leads one to believe you will BECOME violent that can be articulated logically? Are you old enough to be drafted and sent off to die in some rathole country? Great, give me some money and you can have a machine gun/cannon/silencer/whatever. Read the instruction manual, and don't point it at people, they will shoot you. Explosives and radioactive/biological/chemical contaminants have their own very practical and generally reasonable rules for them, most of which I would not touch.

Healthcare: Explain to me how "Pay out your nose monthly to support a NHS for life" is much different than "Pay out your nose monthly because you had to work out a payment plan with the hospital for what wasn't covered by insurance (Also probably costing an arm and a leg) for the forseeable future" and I may actually develop a strong opinion here.

OWS: Trying to avoid this as much as possible. On the surface it looks like a bunch of people feeling entitled to money they didn't make because, hey, the rich can afford it and rich people are bad to begin with. If this impression is correct, I find it heinous and needs to be crushed immediately.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: There are good reasons why vicious animals are killed. Sometimes humans fall into the same category.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? I think that it would be funny, if it wasn't actually happening.

What do you do for a living? Used to be a ranch hand and welder, now I am a lazy bum sitting around waiting for classes to start on the way to a mechanical engineering degree.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?

I'd guess I'd describe myself as centre-right, though I'm not sure how accurate that really is. I'm ultra-liberal in some areas, extreme-right in others.

How do you generally vote?

Conservative.

What sources do you get your political news from?

... and how often do you do so?

Generally the BBC, and I check BBC News 24 at regular intervals during the day. Also, the political programming such as Newsnight, Question Time and the Politics Show. In addition to this, there is a BBC Parliament channel which I occasionally dip into, mainly for PMQs.

How do you feel about...

Abortion:

I'm satisfied that a woman in the UK can legally obtain an abortion, should she feel that she needs one. I believe that it is a matter of individual choice.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:

I feel very strongly that gay couples should be equal to straight couples before the law, and enjoy the same rights. There is literally no good reason for this not to be the case.

Religion:

It is my conviction that we should stamp out any and all state support for religious observance, particularly financial support. Religion in this country should be subject to market forces, and should be allowed to succeed or fail just like any other outmoded business model. There should be no religious holidays, no special accommodations made for religious observers... Religion should be a purely private matter.

Global Warning\Climate Change:

I feel we should go where the science is leading us. Also, even if there is some skepticism about climate change, that doesn't mean we should just pollute our planet. We have to live here, after all.

Gun Control:

Would it be nice to own a handgun? Sure, why not. It'd also be nice to have huge biceps and to sleep with 3 different women every night, but I'm not entirely sure that legislation should be based on male power fantasies. Yes, a handgun would make home defence easier, but flooding a system with firearms has its own set of attendant consequences, and on reflection I think I'd rather live in a place where very few people have guns, than a place where lots of people have guns. It's just not safer.

Healthcare:

I believe that a healthy nation is a strong nation, therefore it is in our national interest to have a healthy citizenry. I believe that a National Health Service is the best way to achieve this.

OWS:

I'm not entirely sure what they stand for. I don't think THEY even are. Some naive overly-simplistic 'student-politics' guff about '99%' and '1%', yeah? Strip away all their rhetoric, and they're basically just haters.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty

I think that we as a nation should reserve the right to execute those amongst our number who most greatly affront our sense of decency, but that we should exercise caution in applying this penalty.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?

In all honesty, I sometimes forget that it's an advanced western country I'm looking at, so ludicrous has the side-show become. US politics seems to be in a terrible state. Just my perception.

What do you do for a living?

I'm a student, though I also work part-time as an event rigger.

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Ecomically Far Left, Socially Far Right

How do you generally vote?
Liberal Party of Australia

What sources do you get your political news from?
I watch various News stations such as ABC, SBS and Win News.(International, Federal and Local News.)

... and how often do you do so?
Every Day.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Only if it's necessary. e.g. If the Mother is too weak, rape victim, only mercy reason.
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: I personally think we need to fix the economy of the Country before we even look at this.
Religion: Religon can teach us alot, Monthesic Religons seem to abuse the power. I am an Asatruan by the way. Religon should not treated like a business because they would act more like cults than Good Religons.
Global Warning\Climate Change: Something needs to be done very soon but in a cost effect method.
Gun Control: Ban guns. No. This is a step towards a Government that will just intervene in our lives and enslave us. You can also make Bombs with Cleaning products, are you going to ban cleaning products as well?
Healthcare: Health Care should be free and you pay more if you want better Private Health.
OWS: They are wasting time protesting, nothing will happen.
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty:
I think there should be an option for a criminal. For the most serious of crimes, there should be either life in prison or death penalty.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? Obama should win but it's America. So who knows?

What do you do for a living?
I'm a Student, working as a barman.

Cannot believe I'm going to do this.

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Middle of the road...whats that..conservative?

How do you generally vote? Republican but also Democrat

What sources do you get your political news from? Fox and CNN

... and how often do you do so? Daily

How do you feel about...

[b]Abortion: [/b] both sides

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: I could care less. Pay your taxes. Doesn't bother me

Religion: I say pagan for laughs but I'm not concern unless your radical or a extremist. When its a threat then I become a threat

Global Warning\Climate Change: Firm believer on cleaning up after ourselves and leaving a area as is or in better condition

Gun Control: No automatic weapons and 30 round mags.

Healthcare: NHS

OWS: Protest within the laws and don't get stupid...tenting out is getting stupid

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty So many appeals a prisoner has before getting terminated

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? Like watching two drama kings go at it. The slander, misperception, nit picking.....its going to dirty

What do you do for a living? Look left on screen for clue

What would you describe as your political affiliation?

Pretty right wing

How do you generally vote?
Conservative

What sources do you get your political news from?

... and how often do you do so?

BBC news checked a couple times a day, Fox for giggles.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Individuals have the right to choose. Strangers should have no say at all in what a woman does to her own body, and Im stunned that more people arent offended by Religious people.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Individuals have the right to choose, Im stunned that more people arent offended by Religious people.

Religion: I am more against Religious people than Religion. Im really not fussed about the God debate either way, but I hate Religious individuals on a personal level, who endlessly try and force their own opinions onto everyone else, so I am more of an anti-theist than an atheist. I care little about the God discussion and pay it no attention, but I genuinely hate people who attempt to ram their own gak down my throat, and don't even get me started on the assisted suicide debate!

Global Warning\Climate Change: Proven to be an occurance, but I don't care enough to get involved in the debate anyway.

Gun Control: I think guns are cool, but I think the UK has it about spot on regarding firearms. Namely, you can get hold of a small caliber hunting rifle if you really want one, but you cant buy and Uzi and hose down a classroom full of kids or shoot your local senator in the face.

Healthcare: Keep the NHS but make it far stricter, many of the things covered by the current system should not be, and while I agree we have a moral responsibility to help our citizens with serious health issues, I think individuals should bear the most responsibility when it comes to looking after their own health. In a nutshell, cancer and the like should be treated, but fat people, drunks and anyone who feels "depressed" because their tits aren't big enough should feth off and pay for their own gak.

OWS - Go back to school/work/home hippy, you dont seem to have any idea what your talking about anyway.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty
Make with the killing already.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
I would vote republican if they didn't go on about Jesus so much, thus forcing me into the democrat half of the field even though I don't like Obama.

What do you do for a living? Half career in the Royal Marines followed by dull yet easy work driving a rig for the Eco dept.

mattyrm wrote:What would you describe as your political affiliation?

Pretty right wing

Yeah, I'd say so! You answered the 'Death Penalty' one 'make with the killing already'!

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Bull Moose or pragmatic libertarian

How do you generally vote? Non incumbent

What sources do you get your political news from?
Washington Post, Washington Times, Bloomberg TV, CNN, Fox, BBC, Wall Street Journal, Drudge, Lucianne, MSNBC, local news sites (I’m paid to be on top of things)

... and how often do you do so? Daily

Abortion: Don’t care unless its late trimester. Even then don’t really care.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: If you want to be stupid enough to get married, hey your funeral. Actually believe government should stay out of marriage completely. Government can arrange rights via social contract marriage is a religious/spaghetti monster/personal situation and should have no bearing.

Religion: French style separation of church and state.

Global Warning\Climate Change: To much fraud going on to be proven. If accurate, meh so what.

Gun Control: 2nd Amendment protects the 1st Amendment. States with CHL have had crime rates reduced vs. non CHL states. The Zetas are ambushing Harris County sheriffs in the middle of Houston now.

Healthcare: modified Canadian style eh! Or more relevantly. Lets look at the top 25 medical systems globally, and implement the best, most efficient systems (here’s a hint UK’s aint one).
Same to same for social security structures (I like Chile) and education (me likey uber Duetschland’s)

OWS: Get a job, you bums!

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: We need an express lane.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? Just say NO to amateurs. Time for professionals to take back the reins.

What do you do for a living? Suck the souls of the young, for fun and profit.

I’d add:
Border security
Social Security
Global competitiveness
Environmental regulation vs. Cost in jobs
Education: (2 categories): Vocational / university
Military: when should a nation put troops in harm’s way?
Right to die legislation:

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
... Libertarian I suppose.

How do you generally vote?
... With tears streaming down my face, wishing we as a people had better candidates to choose from.

What sources do you get your political news from?
... I read/watch a multitude of news/political papers,programing,books...everything from the ultra conservative to the radically anarchistic.

... and how often do you do so?
Daily.

How do you feel about...

Abortion:-I fully support a woman's right to choose .

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:-Gay couples should have the same freedoms as straight couples.

Religion:-Complete separation of Church and State, Religion should be a personal matter and have no influence in political policies.

Global Warning\Climate Change:-Even if one truly believes that global warming is a "myth"...there's still no reason to not give a damn about potential ecological damage being done.

Gun Control:- Keep your mitts of my shootin' irons.

Healthcare:- I believe people should have access to decent medical treatment regardless of income.

OWS: Though I may disagree with some of their tactics, I support their overall message.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty-While I don't advocate a " string 'em all up" policy, I believe there are cases where the death penalty is appropriate.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? -I view it as " business as usual" under the political "big top".

What do you do for a living? -Automotive repair.

mattyrm wrote:What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
I would vote republican if they didn't go on about Jesus so much, thus forcing me into the democrat half of the field even though I don't like Obama.

This accurately describes a large part of the United States, in my opinion.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
Socialist

How do you generally vote?
Depends - Liberal Democrat/Labour/Green

What sources do you get your political news from?
Internet, BBC, some broadsheet newspapers.

... and how often do you do so?
Daily.


How do you feel about...

Abortion: Pro-choice, it's freedom of personal choice.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Pro, there's no good argument to prevent same sex marriage.

Religion: Personally none - I believe that religion should not be given special privileges through legislation.

Global Warning\Climate Change: It's real

Gun Control: I'm against introduction in the UK, the culture of the US is different and gun ownership reasonable as they are already established

Healthcare: I believe in social healthcare

OWS: They have a point, but I don't see that they can achieve much from the direction they take. What they represent is the frustration of wider number of people

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: My gut says that rapists, murders and paedophiles deserve to swing, my head says that we have a history of executing the wrong people. If justice was infallible I would be pro

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? I hope Obama wins because American is a big influence upon the world.

What do you do for a living? Recently finished studying so am unemployed, I'm a biologist.

Border security = Seal it. Boots on ground. 30ft jersey barriers. Hurricane fences. Tunneling detection device. Survallience you name it...apply it

Social Security = Total seperate account with no withdraws for starter funds on another project or a preexisting project. Social Security for Social Security

Global competitiveness = Innovation and creativity is boosted in the private sector so lets kick the bucket and watch it spread

Environmental regulation vs. Cost in jobs = The time it took to study, devised, and implemented needs to be applied to the cooperations IE If it took five years for a EPA law to be slapped then give five years to the cooperation to comply or rebuttal

Education: (2 categories): Vocational / university = Education either way. If one took a federal school loan then one is responsible to pay back the school loan

Military: when should a nation put troops in harm’s way? Tough. Depends on the situation and what constitute an american interest

Right to die legislation: Not to sound cruel. If the patient is going to die from a extremely painful death then free them. We do the same to animals. Just make sure every possible legal action is covered and the patient fully knows what he/she is willing to commit to make it happen. If a person that just wants to die because life is tough then its a personal choice minus the paperwork

Albatross wrote:

mattyrm wrote:What would you describe as your political affiliation?

Pretty right wing

Yeah, I'd say so! You answered the 'Death Penalty' one 'make with the killing already'!

Well, Yeah if Nick Griffin is "very right wing" then surely Im only "pretty right wing" arent I?!

Frazzled wrote:

Healthcare: modified Canadian style eh! Or more relevantly. Lets look at the top 25 medical systems globally, and implement the best, most efficient systems (here’s a hint UK’s aint one).

Hint: Yes it is.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10375877

The UK's health care system is the most efficient, says a study of seven industrialised countries.

The Commonwealth Fund report looked at five areas of performance - quality, efficiency, access to care, equity and healthy lives.

The US came last in the overall rankings, which also included data from Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Plus, there's also the WHO rankings from 2000 which placed the UK in 18th, 19 places above the USA. I know you have this weird chip on your shoulder about the British, but that doesn't mean you get to just tell lies. And why even mention the UK at all? What has that got to do with your political outlook? Do you really have that much of an inferiority complex that you have to define yourself in relation to us?

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
Independant
How do you generally vote?
Republican
What sources do you get your political news from?
Fox News, Aol
... and how often do you do so?
About 3-5 days a week
How do you feel about...

Abortion: Go ahead. Its your body.
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Sure. What place is it of mine to tell you if you can love someone or not?
Religion: Athiestic/ Apathistic.
Global Warning\Climate Change: Not sure. Part of me wants to say "screw it, it doesnt concern me right now", the other part thinks we should do something.
Gun Control: The less gun control the better. Firearms promote safety and security within the home, and theyre in my rights in the constitution.
Healthcare: Keep it how it is. Any more and people abuse it, Any less and people cant survive with it.
OWS: ?
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: If a criminal did something so horrific that one would consider the death penalty, than why is he in our prisons, eating our food, and charging up our bills? If he didnt give mercy to the victims he killed (or any other crimes he committed worthy of death penalty), than why should we?
What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? Not sure, havent looked into it much. I wont be going for Obama, however.
What do you do for a living? Student.
Going to add:
War: Increase military spending and do something about the middle east. Its time to end this. After that we deal with Iran.
Border control: More border security. If someone wants to get into the US, they do it the way everyone else does. All for the Arizona laws (they should be implemented everwhere along border), however those that are in the US already are set upon their way to citizenship, not kicked out.

Albatross wrote: I know you have this weird chip on your shoulder about the British, but that doesn't mean you get to just tell lies. And why even mention the UK at all? What has that got to do with your political outlook? Do you really have that much of an inferiority complex that you have to define yourself in relation to us?

Yeah, please don't do this sort of thing. Start a new thread if you guys want to talk about healthcare in speciufics. I'm hoping to keep this as a more informational, tell us about yourself type thread.

Hmm, this is really interesting reading. Some of the assumptions I'd made about various posters were completely wrong. Knowing is half the battle, eh what? Well, despite my general misgivings with this sort of thing I shall put my hand to it.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?

I wouldn't. I tend to react to the situation in hand and have never really considered my overall views in terms of a political spectrum.

How do you generally vote?

National? Protest. Unless there's someone I geniunely think might do a good job. I do not believe in the voting system used in the UK, or any other country for that matter. Long story, though.

What sources do you get your political news from?

Primarily BBC and word of mouth. Anything I want to be informed about I will check as many sources as I can, though.

... and how often do you do so?

I don't know, it's kind of a process of osmosis.

How do you feel about...
Abortion:

I do not believe that every conception is a magical thing that must be carried to term. We have no natural predators and are increasing our populations, it is our responsibility to police our numbers ourselves. Preventing the termination of unwanted pregnancies is not conducive to this.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:

I would prefer a complete separation of the religious institution of marraige from a state recognised union of two people, regardless of sexuality. I don't really care what people do with the term marraige as it has negative connotations in my mind.

Religion:

Evangelical agnostic. If, say, there were an entity powerful enough to shapre all of creation I do not believe that humans would be capable of comprehending it's motives. I certainly don't believe it would give us handy rules about what kind of foods to eat and who to have sex with.

Global Warning\Climate Change:

It's become too much of a media circus for me to care about, but I do believe we should make efforts to not polute merely due to the same reasons I don't just chuck all my leftover food on the floor.

Gun Control:

Much as I like guns, I do not believe there is any reason anyone in Britain needs anything more than a small calibre hunting rifle. Learn a martial art if you want to defend yourself, you'll get some exercise while you're at it.

Healthcare:

I believe in the NHS and I believe it needs more support from the government. I believe some of this should come from heavy fines for drinking related accidents.

OWS:

Not really been keeping up with it as it lacks credibility.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty

When we have the ability to pardon someone back to life, I will be in favour of the death penalty.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?

It's America's affair, I'm not interested.

What do you do for a living?

Customer Services, in a small retail chain.

Edited by Mannahnin for inappropriate and unnecessarily hostile remarks.

Edit: I will quit on this. My point is that I recognize there is weakness in the US system and believe we should look at the best systems in the world and take from them what is best. From reports I read during the Obamacare fun, the Swiss and Canadian systems were viewed as particularly strong. See what they do right and what we do right and incorporate them together.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?

Liberal

How do you generally vote?

Democrat

What sources do you get your political news from?

NPR, Blogs, reddit

... and how often do you do so?

Few times a week

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Pro
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Pro
Religion: Free, but nowhere near the government. Personally Atheist
Global Warning\Climate Change: Happening. At least in part because of us. Exact fixes debatable.
Gun Control: Mostly against. Light regulation is fine, less than we have right now probably
Healthcare: Don't go halfway. Either full-on public option or market driven. I hate the halfway in between nonsense we ended up with.
OWS: Mad about a legitimate thing, horrible at protesting, insufficient message
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: Against

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? Romney is the best candidate the republicans have had in a long time and definitely could defeat obama. They're trying to make the primary look closer, though, so he doesn't appear to be a bob dole tossed up there. If it looks like he got the nom too easily, it will seem like they're just foisting someone up to keep from wasting a good candidate.

What do you do for a living? Law enforcement tech support.


Why aren't there any questions about economics here? I'm a serious keynsean.

Border security: It's a complex problem without simple answers, but I'd like to crack down more aggressively on employers who hire illegals. I'd also like to see a path to citizenship for people who are already here, working and paying some taxes, but with a penalty for breaking the law initially. Something like that, but I'm pretty flexible.
Social Security: I don't think much about this. I presume it will not exist when I'm old enough to retire and invest privately.
Global competitiveness: I'm not sure what this means, exactly. I do think there is a growing streak of anti-intellectualism in the last few years that will hurt us, though.
Environmental regulation vs. Cost in jobs There is a balance, obviously, but I think we enjoy clean air and water because we paid for it via taxes and restrictions. I think our current balance is generally OK. I think the EPA should exist, I know that's the new hotness.
Education: (2 categories): Vocational / university: I dropped out of college when I first went, worked for 10 years, and started again last year. I have about a year left.
Military: when should a nation put troops in harm’s way? It's hard to say, really. Generally speaking I'd favor a more isolationist outlook then we currently have. On the other hand, do we not have a moral obligation to stop atrocities and genocide when we can? Does not, with great power, come great responsibility? I'd certainly prefer we only get into conflicts when we can secure allies, have clear goals, and an clear plan to exit the conflict before the first boot touches the ground.
Right to die legislation: No brainer, it's a basic human right IMO.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?

Pragmatic.

How do you generally vote?

I don't, both due to residency issues (I move a lot), and indifference with respect to the candidates that are offered.

What sources do you get your political news from?

NPR, BBC, Drudge, Al-Jazeera, Fox, CNN, RIA Novosti, Le Monde, Anadolu.

... and how often do you do so?

I haven't closed the window with CNN's homepage open in 4 days.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Pro-choice, I don't favor restrictions, but recognize that they are politically necessary.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Marriage should be either irrespective of gender, or an issue left to Churches, with the state sanctioning "marriage" (the legal sense) separately.

Religion: I'm an atheist, but only in the technical sense. Essentially, religion is interesting, but not something I take seriously at all.

Global Warning\Climate Change: Almost certainly occurring, but what is causing it is questionable, as is what can be done about it; both in terms of physical possibility and political reality.

Gun Control: Not an issue I care about.

Healthcare: American healthcare needs to be reformed, even after the present reforms. The system needs to be designed holistically, which may have happened in a bipartisan fashion in the past, but will likely require single-party dominance now.

OWS: People with little idea how to convey their message. Entirely harmless in the grand scheme, though that's not something that bodes well for them.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: Not concerned really, though I don't see the death penalty sticking around in many states.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?: Obama will probably win, but Romney will give him a run for his money. Though, if Cain carries the GOP ticket, the end result is difficult to predict. His numbers are strong, but he would be a very unusual national candidate.

What do you do for a living?

Graduate student now, but worked as a personal trainer/gym manager previously.

The survey thread says I'm a hippy yet I'm thinking of voting for nick griffindor just to shake things up. Does this mean that I'm chaotic neutral?

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
Democrat/Liberal

How do you generally vote?
Well, mostly Democrat...really the only group I can stand

What sources do you get your political news from?
Various sites on the interwebs

... and how often do you do so?
Not often enough

How do you feel about...
Abortion:
I completely support the right to choose. It's her body, not yours.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:
Everyone should be given the right to be married. Yet again, it's their choice, not yours.

Religion:
Personally, I don't believe. And I think there should be a clean-cut seperation of church and state.

Global Warning\Climate Change:
I'm a clean/green person regardless, but the info seems to be too muddled for me to make a decision.

Gun Control:
I love owning/shooting firearms. Nuff said.

Healthcare:
Well, I support the public health-care system, but I'd like it to be strict

OWS:
I like their message, but not the execution

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty
i can has moar capital punishment?

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
Still a little to early from me to make a decision...

What do you do for a living?
Mechanical Claims Analyst for an automotive warranty company (I talk to repair shops and authorize/pay for auto repairs)

EDIT: Grammar

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
Disenchanted leftie

How do you generally vote?
At home, I would generally vote for the Labour or Green Party candidate while trying not to gag from the stench of bs emanating from their manifestos.

What sources do you get your political news from?
Irish times website, BBC website, newspapers, dakkadakka, links my girlfriend mails me, word of mouth.

... and how often do you do so?
Multiple times a day.

How do you feel about...

Abortion:
Legal, but people should acknowledge that "her body" isn't the one that gets killed. (ie. I consider a fetus or even an embryo to be ethically a person, however it is a person who's welfare I do not consider important)
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:
Civic Union should = Marriage in all respects, the religious ceremony should not grant extra legal bonuses.
Religion:
Keep it out of how the world is run. Strong disdain for the catholic church, pretty benevolent feelings towards many protestant churches. Agnostic, myself.
Global Warning\Climate Change:
It's happening. The effects will likely be quite different to any prediction due to the complexity of the world ecosystems.
Gun Control:
Pro. Though I see the arguments for allowing citizens to own guns.
Healthcare:
Pro national healthcare, however, acknowledge that such systems are often badly in need of reform.
OWS:
Irrelevant, will not achieve anything, mostly powerless noisemakers.
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty
Sceptical that it's a good idea. Juries fairly consistently misunderstand forensic evidence which is commonly used to convict criminals. In cases where Death Penalty is a likely outcome I would favour a "technical jury" who are qualified to make judgements on the meaning of the evidence. Not a priority issue for me though.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
Irrelevant to me. Do not care about it at all, especially with Europe going into meltdown. Just got bigger things on my mind than who represents the corporations of america for the next 4 years.

What do you do for a living?
Science teacher.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?

Crazy Leftist who wants to burn Bibles.

How do you generally vote?

I don't. But when I will, it's for Democrats.

What sources do you get your political news from?

The Daily Show and Colbert Report. Sometimes Anderson Cooper.

... and how often do you do so?

Anderson Cooper on Mondays, and Colbert and Stewart on Tues-Fri.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Fine. Use a coat hanger for all I care.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: It's not the state's business decided who I can feth and marry. So yes, Gay Rights to the max for Chowderhead.

Religion: Jewish (Reformed)

Global Warning\Climate Change: I believe in Gore.

Gun Control: If you pass the Psych eval, go get your guns. Just don't expect them back after you shoot someone.

Healthcare: feth. I'm 16. I don't really care until I'm 25.

OWS: I get what they mean, and agree with them, I just don't care for their methods.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: More room for the rest of the prisoners. Murder 2 people 2 separate times, and you get offed.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? Well, for the Republicans, we have a crazy MILF, a guy who wants to give you a job (and give you his cock), Newt "I may have fethed someone, but so did Clinton! OOOH!" Gingritch, and Mitler.

Obama 2012.

What do you do for a living?

I go to school and teach little gakkers at a Sailing Camp.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?: me? depends on the criterion model you use.... personally i'm with 'Red' faction in Thailand.
- Left, if using French Revolution criterion.
- 'Labour', if using British parliament style.
well I used to be 'hardcore' extreme leftist but since i've judge the possibility that the bloody revolution can lead to a twisted monarchy (and it will turn out ugly), i'm now becoming more centric left.

How do you generally vote?:
- Who do I vote for?: whoever affilates with the folks, and not the band of robber barons and crooked 'Intellectulars'
- Where?: the nearest voting post, a parochal school near my home, the school itself is dedicated to Virgin Mary. 'cept for the latest ones that the local 'healthcare station' becomes voting post.
- When?: technically it should be 4 years for the House of Representative, too bad some oligarches shortened the lifespan if the government since 2006.
- Cheating attempts a candicate usually does?: Vote buying. yes several candicates are either wealty or a gangster, and they either send couriers to every house, each are assigned to pay every citizens they can find, while paying, those goons 'persuade' the folks to vote for a candicate he/she serves/hire. Another vote rigging is to buy the whole voting post!!!!

What sources do you get your political news from?
-The Internet
-Newspaper
-TV and Radio (occasionally)

... and how often do you do so?
few years ago i usually do it daily, but now i rarely follow those news since it made me mad.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Only hospitals can provide this service, and yes only in an extremely dire case that matters one's life and death.
Governments should exert more control over 'Council of Healers'. don't let them form a mafia-type organization.
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:
- Transgenders should get a desired citizen title. think of Brazil
- The Law should treat gay couples in the same way as straight ones.
Religion:
- Every religion the government officially recognized should be treated equally. any pro-Islam legislations the Junta (2006-2007) wrote should be revised.
Global Warning\Climate Change:
- The government should inspect every environmental NGOs whether do they have a goodwill or being a spy to any rivaling nations.
- In the same way, due to the recent deluges in Thailand. the aqua management should be seriously done. the swamplands should be SERIOUSLY preserved and dug deeper so the floods can be averted. Also every real estate business that trespass the river/swamp/creeks should be demolished, in the meantime the government should provide a fair compensation in the process.

Gun Control:
- loosen the law: In Thailand, crimes related to firearms are all done using illegal firearms, Did you know that here, you can easily buy cheaper (and more powerful) firearms and its ammo from gunrunners in the borderlands than buy a civilian-grade firearms from gunshops (which involves a very complex bureaucracy, and... a twisted feudalism). I'm not say that civilians are free to arm with military-grade weapons. I'm saying that everyone that wants to buy and own firearms should get the license first (the procedures should be much easier and not involving oneself has to be a member of those local lordships), once you've got the license. you can buy firearms from any gunshops wherever one wants. Also... the ban on centerfire semi-auto rifle should be lifted.
Healthcare: Bring Back '30 Bahts cure all' please.
Doctors and Nurses should choose whether will they work in Hospital or run their own cliniques. Doing both in one's career is not really a good practice.
OWS: ?????? I have no idea
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: Abolish it. no good. especially if the death sentence is based on political dispuite, it is a seal of approval to terrorism, yes it could lead to an act of vengeance.
I'm more on 'Hard Labor' punishment or Gulags thing. the construction contractors should also take them to do menial jobs while having wardens monitor it. well just 2 cents

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
I'm not american but I can say that Republican can make a big comeback. the question is.. who will be a candicate?

What do you do for a living?
for now? mmm. i'm only a student but within next year i'll have my first Orchid farm.

=^.^=

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
American Populist
How do you generally vote?
Republican, but I'm just as likely to vote for a Blue Dog Dem as a Liberal Rep.
What sources do you get your political news from?
CNN, CBS, AP, Rueters, Fox
... and how often do you do so?
Just about everyday
How do you feel about...

Abortion: Legal until the third trimester vice medical complications.
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: no restrictions on marriage, same sex couples should receive the same benefits IE filing jointly, employers spousal medical coverage etc
Religion: Roman Catholic
Global Warning\Climate Change: I believe that the majority of peer reviewed studies point to the reality of global warming.
Gun Control: the Constitution is quite clear that the right to keep and bear is not to be infringed, period. Do I need a tank? No. Should I be able to procure one, yes.
Healthcare: government sponsored health care is the problem, not the solution. I've got some really out there opinions about how and why healthcare should've developed. They probably aren't sound, but they're mine.
OWS: I'm not sure, the are unable to deliver a clear message and lately seem mostly concerned with thier camp than their message.
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: sentencing by jury, unanimous decision, fair appeal, dead.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
It's gonna be entertaining, I can't see Obama making a second term haven't for awhile but the GOP can feth it up if anyone can.
What do you do for a living?
UAV Pilot/Instructor

Frazzled wrote:

Albatross wrote:

Frazzled wrote:

Healthcare: modified Canadian style eh! Or more relevantly. Lets look at the top 25 medical systems globally, and implement the best, most efficient systems (here’s a hint UK’s aint one).

Hint: Yes it is.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10375877

The UK's health care system is the most efficient, says a study of seven industrialised countries.

The Commonwealth Fund report looked at five areas of performance - quality, efficiency, access to care, equity and healthy lives.

The US came last in the overall rankings, which also included data from Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Plus, there's also the WHO rankings from 2000 which placed the UK in 18th, 19 places above the USA. I know you have this weird chip on your shoulder about the British, but that doesn't mean you get to just tell lies. And why even mention the UK at all? What has that got to do with your political outlook? Do you really have that much of an inferiority complex that you have to define yourself in relation to us?

I wipe my ass with the WHO or frankly anything from the UN.

The Commonwealth Fund is not affiliated with the UN. It's an American organisation. Grow up, Frazzled.

Well then I need to up my standards to top 5. We hear horror stories about UK medical. I don't hear horror stories about Canadian, Swiss, or German systems.

According to the American organisation that commissioned the 2010 report featured in the BBC article you ignored, those three finish lower than the UK. Also, the horror stories you hear are politically motivated, just like the horror stories I hear about the US system. Grow up, Frazzled.

Thanks for the insult.

What insult? Grow up, Frazzled.

My mother went through a cat scan, MRI, and PET on the same day of the doctor's order coming down. Do you even get you own room in the UK? Can you do that in the UK? If not shut the up about your inferiority complex nonsense.

Yes, you can get all of those things in the UK if you go private. The difference in the UK is that going private is not your only option, and that going private won't bankrupt you either. Grow up, Frazzled.

Edit: I will quit on this. My point is that I recognize there is weakness in the US system and believe we should look at the best systems in the world and take from them what is best. From reports I read during the Obamacare fun, the Swiss and Canadian systems were viewed as particularly strong. See what they do right and what we do right and incorporate them together.

Yes, there are weaknesses in the US system, no, the UK system isn't perfect - the thing I find amusing is your neuralgia about admitting that the British do something better. It's fine! Just learn from this and grow. You don't have to be a slave to your national mythology. Once again - grow up, Frazzled.

Gun Control: the Constitution is quite clear that the right to keep and bear is not to be infringed, period. Do I need a tank? No. Should I be able to procure one, yes.

Imagine the selling pitch for this home defense weapon?

Jihadin wrote:

Gun Control: the Constitution is quite clear that the right to keep and bear is not to be infringed, period. Do I need a tank? No. Should I be able to procure one, yes.

Imagine the selling pitch for this home defense weapon?

It's actually a great idea. Think about it: You're a burglar. Do you burgle the house with a tank parked in front of it, or do you think to yourself 'feth that! They're crazy! I'm going next door, they might only have a gun!'

Jihadin wrote:

Gun Control: the Constitution is quite clear that the right to keep and bear is not to be infringed, period. Do I need a tank? No. Should I be able to procure one, yes.

Imagine the selling pitch for this home defense weapon?

Like this but the rustlers are clouds of red mist.

Albatross wrote:

Jihadin wrote:

Gun Control: the Constitution is quite clear that the right to keep and bear is not to be infringed, period. Do I need a tank? No. Should I be able to procure one, yes.

Imagine the selling pitch for this home defense weapon?

It's actually a great idea. Think about it: You're a burglar. Do you burgle the house with a tank parked in front of it, or do you think to yourself 'feth that! They're crazy! I'm going next door, they might only have a gun!'

Ah, but what if they snuck in the back way? not everyone is as willing to lob tank shell into their home as i would be to crush some ahole!
and handgun/rifle/shotgun/bow accidents are bad enough. "Honestly officer! he was just cleaning the barrell and it went off!".

Please stop hassling Frazzled about his healthcare opinions; please start a new thread if you want to do that.

alarmingrick wrote:

Albatross wrote:

Jihadin wrote:

Gun Control: the Constitution is quite clear that the right to keep and bear is not to be infringed, period. Do I need a tank? No. Should I be able to procure one, yes.

Imagine the selling pitch for this home defense weapon?

It's actually a great idea. Think about it: You're a burglar. Do you burgle the house with a tank parked in front of it, or do you think to yourself 'feth that! They're crazy! I'm going next door, they might only have a gun!'

h. "Honestly officer! he was just cleaning the tank tracks and it went off!".

Fix'd

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
Centrist, pretty much. There's

How do you generally vote?
The last election was the first time I voted for our left wing party, as after ten year of conservative government I felt the Labor party had more ideas to take us forward. Before that Howard's government had done very well, and I'd been happy to support them.

What sources do you get your political news from?
Mostly on-line, as it lets me pick out the stuff I want to read about. I use a few blogs, like Paul Krugman's, the Economist, and an evangelical commentator called the slacktivist for my daily reading. Since living with my fiance I've gone back to watching the nightly news, which is more and more just absent of anything particularly important, and is instead just an anecdotal list of the day's crimes and accidents.

... and how often do you do so?
Daily.

Abortion:
I'm fine with it, because I don't believe that a fertilised egg is a person, but I recognise that there's no clear, objective standard for exactly when a developing human becomes a human, so I'm fine with people being opposed to it, and think if a majority believe it to be a human life, they are well within their rights to ban it.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:
I'm absolutely for it. There is simply no reason to deny people access to a social institution because they happen to love someone of the same sex.

Religion:
I'm an atheist, but I believe strongly that there is great wisdom in many religious views, and think we can all gain a great deal from hearing the religious views of others in an open, honest format.

Global Warning\Climate Change:
97% of climate change scientists active in the field believe climate change is real and it is caused by man. I have respsect for science, and respect for experts, and so I believe them. Further, I think it is an act of incredible arrogance for anyone to believe that without a similar level of education, they might know better.

Gun Control:
I'm pretty iffy on this one. It seems that gun violence is driven more by economic, social and cultural conditions, but one of the major cultural factors is the fixation on society being so deadly and horrible that a person might need a gun in the first place.

Healthcare:
Specifically American healthcare? The cost is outrageous for what you're getting, and reforms informed by much cheaper, much more effective systems around the world could deliver better outcomes for much less money. As well as saving lives and preventing the massive number of bankruptcies it causes, it's the most important reform in bringing the budget deficit under control long term.

OWS:
They have genuine grievances, but they need to be smarter, more organised and more focussed in order to bring about any kind of change.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty
I'm opposed, but not as much as I was when I was younger. These days I can't help but see that whether we lock the criminal up or kill him, his life is wasted, as well as the life of his victim, and what we really need to worry about is preventing the crime in the first place.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
Obama is hurt by the terrible economy, but still stands a good chance because the Republican field is so weak.

What do you do for a living?
Accountant.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
Jedi

How do you generally vote?
The Council makes all the decisions.

What sources do you get your political news from?
Mos Eisley Radio, Coruscant Network News, NPR

... and how often do you do so?
Whenever I am with range of the signal.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Before Anakin anti, post Anikin, pro

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: If a Wookie and a Zabrak can marry, why should gender matter?

Religion: Jedi

Global Warning\Climate Change: Depends on the planet. Better living through terraforming.

Gun Control: Fairly happy with the current levels availability and training as most people can't hit the broad side of a Jawa Sandcrawler. I have to waste less time blocking.

Healthcare: The Force provides, as does our HMO.

OWS: Obi Wan's Schlong is not something we talk about in polite society.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: Before Anakin anti, post Anikin, pro

What do you do for a living?
Jedi

Ahtman wrote: Abortion: Before Anakin anti, post Anikin, pro
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: Before Anakin anti, post Anikin, pro

Word.
but messah think you forgittin' someones.....

Ahtman wrote:What would you describe as your political affiliation?
Jedi

Religion: Jedi

What do you do for a living?
Jedi

This is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
Liberal although I like some aspects of Conservatism and Socialism as well.

How do you generally vote?
By writing the name of a candidate on a piece of paper provided to me at the ballot.

What sources do you get your political news from?
Internet, newspapers and TV.

... and how often do you do so?
Not that often, politics is quite dry at times.

Abortion:
It's the woman's body, it should be her choice on what she should do with it.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:
Homosexuals should be able to marry like the rest of us.

Religion:
Atheist, but have no problem with religion as long as you aren't stepping on the freedom of others.

Global Warning\Climate Change:
I believe scientists are being honest to me.

Gun Control:
I shouldn't need guns to feel safe in my country, the RCMP do a fine job of keeping the citizens protected. Hunting-grade weapons should be allowed though for both self-defense and for recreation.

Healthcare:
Universal healthcare except for things like minor cosmetics.

OWS:
Don't know what that is.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty
I think the gift of life is the greatest phenomenon in the universe to have that removed would be horrible.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
Unless the Republicans pull out a really good candidate then I'm going to have to say Obama.

What do you do for a living?
I work at a fast-food chain known as Wendy's.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
none. was republican,but i wont sign up as any group.

How do you generally vote?
cant vote yet,but so far republicans in school votes and most view...which ive only had an opinion for the past one,which obama was in....yeah. this time around,who knows?

What sources do you get your political news from?
dakka dakka mostly

... and how often do you do so?
ranging form too much to never.

How do you feel about...
i like ... alot!

Abortion: no. if you dont want it,adoption.
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: not for it, but to be honest,unless were talking politically,i could care less. just dont come at me after i tell you im not,and we could even be friends...well,if i like people,that is.
Religion: Christianity, but very laxed about it and dont like any of the branches,all too stuck up about dressing up and such.
Global Warning\Climate Change: well,its snowing in texas more than it ever has,so obviously somethings up. so keep it up,im liking this odd white powder!
Gun Control: if they want a tank,and they have the money for it,they should be able to get a tank.
Healthcare: no,the government should not control this in any way.
OWS: no real opinion. wall street crashes alot,so if you put your money there,your fault...or something.
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty wheres the switch?

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
haven't looked into it much. once it gets close to the time,and it airs everywhere,ill start listening.

What do you do for a living?
...reminds me,i need to get a bloody job. warhammer,you soo expensive!!!!

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Not Affiliated with a Political Party. Closest would be Libertarian.

How do you generally vote? Libertarian, Republican, Democrat, and the very occassional Socialist, depending on position, local, state level, or national, with a avriety of other factors like who else is running.

What sources do you get your political news from? Various Radio Stations, followed by fact checking research online.

... and how often do you do so? 5+ days a week

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Touchy issue that people blow way out of proportion. Personally not for me. Is it a right that should be legislated on a national level? No. Should it be legislated on a state level? Yes. I figure the states that would have legal abortion, would far outweigh the rest today compared to 1973. The process of partial birth abortion makes me very squeamish and can not condone. Other than that, I beleive there needs to be more rights and decision making for the fathers.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Government should not be involved in marriage, or tax law with regards to marriage. Marriage should be done by a recognized religion. So yes, Same sex marriage should exist and be on par with heterosexual marriage.

Religion: That is a personal matter, for me, for you, for everyone. As long as you are not endangering anyone, to each their own.

Global Warning\Climate Change: The climate always changes, for more reasons than most people, even scientists seem to be able to grasp. There is no sufficient evidence to cause a panic or wide sweeping large scale changes on how life is currently lived.

Gun Control: In the USA, there are 3 major reasons to own weapons. 1 : hunting. 2 : defense of self and home from criminals. 3 defense of self from the Government. The Second Ammendment was written to ensure the First. On that note, a sane non-criminal in the USA should be able to own, knives, handguns, hunting rifles, semi auto assault rifles, and military grade weaponry, burst fire and fully automatic, cannons, mortars, grenades and armour assets. In most states, gun legislation puts the people at a severe disadvantage to the government, should an armed conflict happen.

Healthcare: Cash payable. Get healthcare back to competing like most other consumer businesses. Currently, most customers have no idea what costs what, and many doctors offices can not even quote you a cash price readily. Get rid of the middleman "health care insurance" industry for the most part. Average doctors visit checkup which I do every year costs $100, which I pay in cash. This does not break the bank. I do not visit the doctors office for the sniffles, and do my part to keep myself as healthy as I can.

OWS: They have every right to speak their mind and protest, but are subject to time place and manner restrictions like everyone else. They need to follow the laws, meaning, get a permit and abide by it.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty : I accept this, because l think the process needs to be a little quicker. It should be kept in use for the worst of the worst of the worst. The victims families should be able to carry out the sentence.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? It should be interesting for the most part as it always is, and then there will be a lot of it that is really dull, same ole same ole, and then people will vote. I am not sure how to anwer such a vague question.

What do you do for a living? Small business owner, manufacturing and sales of BDSM toys.

• Political affiliation: Right-leaning, liberal-leaning centrist. Which many people have accused of being inherently contradictory, but eh.

• Voting: Whatever fits my views best, or the opposition party in the case of Texas state legislation (not like it matters anyway, and any shake-up that shocks the neocons in our state legislature is a good thing).

• Political news: CNN and The Economist, usually.

• How often: Daily to some extent.

• Abortion: Women's choice. Birth control should be covered by healthcare.

• Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Complete and utter marriage equality for the GBLT community.

• Religion: Fine if isn't taken to the extreme, like most things.

• Global Warning\Climate Change: We're causing it, and need effectively enforced regulation (or specifically targeted subsidies) at least to slow it down.

• Gun Control: Licensing and background checks are more than enough. The licensing process needs to be cleaned up though, and it's annoying how non-standard everything is.

• Healthcare: The Pharmaceutical Industry is the most corrupt industry in the USA, and needs STRONG regulation and reformation to reduce prices and ensure safer, more targeted drugs.

• OWS: A for effort and I agree with their message of "the rich and powerful control our government too much"... but they need to get it in their heads that it's a bad thing if people treat them like tantrum-throwing children.

• Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: Need much more stringent control on this. I'm fine with executing a serial rapist or something, but too often an innocent slips through the system.

• 2012 US Presidential election: It's a circus in the Republican primary as they rush to find any not-Romneys. Currently, Romney and Huntsman are probably the only ones to stand a chance in the election proper. Obama stands a good chance at winning as long as he plays his cards right either way.

• Job: Student, majoring in Chemistry.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
left and socialist leaning centrist
How do you generally vote?
Can't yet, but will probably vote for the Australian Labour Party or Shooters Party
What sources do you get your political news from?
Anywhere and everywhere that isn't fox news really
... and how often do you do so?
about once every couple of days
How do you feel about...

Abortion: Go for your life, infact, the state should foot the bill
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Abolish marriage altogether, it is an archaic and unnessecary institution
Religion: Personally I am an atheist and misotheist, my views are that it should abolished altogether (see above)
Global Warning\Climate Change: Indifferent, it is merely another pressure of natural selection, we either adapt and survive or don't and die
Gun Control: Ours should be the same as America's
Healthcare: Purely state controlled and legislated
OWS: Learn to actually find a cause and we can talk, while we are at it, we should probably just dump capitalism and replace it with a meritocracy
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: Support this 110% infact, we should probably lower the bar a bit as well

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?: [b]Indifferent unless their foreign policy wants to try and feth over Australia

What do you do for a living? Student (going into Information Technology, likely database/network management) and part-time McDonald's burger maker (I'm a cog in the machine, problem hippies?)

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
Conservative

How do you generally vote?
Independent

What sources do you get your political news from?
its whatever gets delivered to my phone until it comes election time. So pretty much a bunch of different e-newspapers

... and how often do you do so?
weekly.

How do you feel about...

Abortion:
Against.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:
I'm personally against it, but in the end I don't care a whole lot about it. It's a minor issue in comparison with the other issues at the moment.

Religion:
I think the neutral culture needs to be protected, but allow people to celebrate their holidays freely. If someone wants to say merry Christmas they should have that right without being told they're being insensitive.

Global Warning\Climate Change:
It's all a part of a natural cycle. We must learn to adapt to survive. On the other hand, the green tech is nice and being careful with our resources is a wise move imho.

Gun Control:
Within reason

Healthcare:
Universal healthcare would be nice, but we need to get our budget back in check first.

OWS:
Meh.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty
If the trial is fair and there is a unanimous decision and a fair appeal then its fine.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
I doubt Obama will win, but he's certainly not out of it.

What do you do for a living?
Student working part time at a burger joint

Obi Wan Shlong......so sword practice without lightsabers?

What would you describe as your political affiliation?

Bull Moose Party with some few libertarian ideas.

How do you generally vote?

Whoever fits with my concerns. I have voted for Democrats, Republicans, and some of those other parties you rarely hear about.

What sources do you get your political news from?

A variety of things. MSNBC, CNN, Washington Post town hall , variety of others on occasion from Huff to Chicago tribune. But I see Fox News as the conservative comedy central with the comedy a lot more dry.

I like to get variety throughout the week.

... and how often do you do so?

Daily.

How do you feel about...

Abortion:

Don't agree with it, but when it comes down to it. If people really want an abortion they will find how to do it one way or another. May as well allow abortion to have it in a clean safe enviorment rather than in the creepy guy's basement. I do feel the father should have a choice.

And education on abortion and adoption alternatives should always be taught before hand and give them X days to think about it.

But there is nothing more disgusting than those Fake Christians who are pro-life until you are born. After that, they have a Go F*** yourself attitude.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:

I love 2 women going at it.

Religion:

Raised Catholic, but I really just believe in being a good person, as cliche as that may sound. Nothing wrong with religion, unless you are a Pat Robertson type.

Global Warning\Climate Change:

I believe in it. Seen fare to much evidence. But to what extent are humans guilty of it? I don't know.


Gun Control:

Love guns. I own a few dozen myself. But no one should be able to just go out and buy a gun no questions ask. I see nothing wrong with a background check.


Healthcare: Not sure, Our current system needs major improvements. Millions are uninsured and insurance broke. People who are without insurance just past on costs to those with insurance. I am not sure if "Universal Health Care" or "Medicare for All" is the correct route to go. I have no issue with higher taxes, as my health insurance as is, is already sky high.

My concern is will we still have people wanting to go into nursing and medicine with "universal care" with salaries being lower in that system? We already have a Doctor and Nurse shortage.


OWS: They have some good ideas. They have some bat gak crazy ideas.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty I flipflop on this topic way too much.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? Someone will win. America will lose. I just hope not by a lot.

What do you do for a living?

Student (going into special education)
Waiter
and do some pluming and lawnmower/snow blower repair on the side.

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Conservative

How do you generally vote? Republican or Independent.

What sources do you get your political news from? Internet, local news, radio.

... and how often do you do so? Daily, I have a long commute.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Is not a constitutional right.
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Is not a constitutional right.
Religion: Is a constitutional right.
Global Warning\Climate Change: Probably a hoax, but have no problem with others believing as long as they don't try to impose their beliefs on me.
Gun Control: Is unconstitutional.
Healthcare: I like health care. I would like to keep it.
OWS: Bunch of criminals, rapists, and general miscreants.
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: Have no problem with it.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? I think it's a good thing. We should do this every 4 years or so.

What do you do for a living? professional liar

biccat wrote:
Religion: Is a constitutional right.

And yet we frown on religiously motivated terrorism.

Its almost as if the Constitution required interpretation, and was not the iron-clad foundation of law that some believe it to be.

dogma wrote:

biccat wrote:
Religion: Is a constitutional right.

And yet we frown on religiously motivated terrorism.

Its almost as if the Constitution required interpretation, and was not the iron-clad foundation of law that some believe it to be.

"And yet we frown on religiously motivated terrorism"
"Religiously motived terrorism"
"Terrorism"
Good job, America frowns on terrorism.

Jollydevil wrote:
"And yet we frown on religiously motivated terrorism"
"Religiously motived terrorism"
"Terrorism"
Good job, America frowns on terrorism.

I don't see a prohibition against terrorism in the Constitution. Certainly other laws have created such prohibitions, but respecting them in this particular case would mean ignoring the prohibition against laws respecting religions that require terrorist activities in favor the pragmatic concern over terrorism being undesirable.

dogma wrote:

Jollydevil wrote:
"And yet we frown on religiously motivated terrorism"
"Religiously motived terrorism"
"Terrorism"
Good job, America frowns on terrorism.

I don't see a prohibition against terrorism in the Constitution. Certainly other laws have created such prohibitions, but respecting them in this particular case would mean ignoring the prohibition against laws respecting religions that require terrorist activities in favor the pragmatic concern over terrorism being undesirable.

So basically America should tolerate things like Satanism and terrorism simply because theyre religious?
You baffle me.

He's making the point that simply because religious expression is protected by the Constitution doesn't mean we protect ALL acts motivated by religion. The Constitution is the highest law in the land, but we still modify and interpret its contents for practical purposes, and as the times move forward and some parts become less or differently-relevant.

BTW, Satanism is protected like every other religion.

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Liberal Independent, leaning in some areas toward Socialism and others toward Constitutionalism.

How do you generally vote? Holding my nose, for Dems. Occasionally for centrist Republicans (rare as they're getting, we still have some in NH) or whoever's anti-incumbent if the incumbent is bad enough, regardless of party.

What sources do you get your political news from? Various websites, NPR, Daily Show.

... and how often do you do so? Multiple times a day when campaign season's really in swing and I'm into it. Ranging from daily to every few days in slower times and when Real Life is intruding more directly on my day to day life.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: A sad necessity. I think the beginning of electrical activity in the brain of the conceptus is the best guess for a point before which I don't think there's a moral or ethical problem. After that I'd rather it not happen, but I'm honest enough to admit that if men could get pregnant, we'd make darn sure it was legal as late as we wanted it. The right to the decision has to be in the hands of the woman. If it was potentially my child I'd like to have a say, but it has to be her decision.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: There are no good or reasonable arguments against it, as far as I'm concerned.

Religion: Often a wonderful comfort and a boon inspiration to great and good acts. Sadly misused in many cases as a tool of power, and a way of inflicting and perpetuating ignorance and intolerance. I'm personally Neopagan.

Global Warning\Climate Change: As other people pointed out, 97+% of the folks who seriously, professionally study it are agreed that it's happening and that human activity/industry are at the very least contributing to it. I don't dismiss the views of a large consensus of scientists regarding anything else, either. I'm pretty disturbed at the extent to which in my country there seems to be a concerted, politically and profit-motivated campaign to cast doubt on this and dismiss it as a hoax. I worry that it's potentially going to be of great harm to us in the long term, for no purpose other than short term profits and a stubborn resistance to changing our habits.

Gun Control: I don't think it's necessary beyond making sure the cops generally have access to better stuff than your average wannabe bank robber can get. I don't think the Second Amendment should be read as absolutely as some folks insist. It's no longer practical or possible for armed citizens to overthrow a tyrannical government or for any foreign country to invade us. That said, folks in situations like some places in the Southwest, with the border troubles, certainly should have the means to protect themselves from criminals on their property. While I envy the low rates of gun deaths in most countries with stricter gun control, I don't think that's the only factor. Canadians have a high rate of gun ownership too, but they don't shoot themselves/each other at nearly the rate we do. So part of it has got to be our culture.

Healthcare: We should have an NHS, or something like the German system. There should be private care available, supplementary to a strong public healthcare system. The for-profit model of healthcare is just as dumb as for-profit Fire Departments were, and as for-profit Police and Armies would be.

OWS: Frustratingly vague in goals, and possessed of too many earnest clowns. That said, the basic concept is laudable. Peaceful protest to the inequities of our system and the way the poor and middle class have been increasingly sold out over the last three decades, over the too-loud voice of moneyed interests in our politics, is admirable.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: Some crimes certainly merit it. But our justice system is always going to be too imperfect to make it a reliably appropriate punishment. We can almost never be 100% sure of guilt, but we can always be 100% sure that someone who's dead will never get the chance to prove their innocence, or see themselves exonerated. A really frighteningly-high percentage of people on death row have been later exonerated by DNA evidence. Life imprisonment without chance of parole is as high as sentences should go.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? I'm kind of sad, and kind of glad that the crop of GOP candidates is as bad as it is. Obama's been disappointing. Way too compromising and not steadfast enough in defense of the principles and policies for which we voted for him. But the GOP, overall, is a terrible alternative. Huntsman and Romney, at least, look not to be nutjobs, but still seem morally-bankrupt, dishonest and incompetent. The rest of the candidates are even worse.

What do you do for a living? I work for a payment processing company, in merchant services administration.

Throw Wiccan up in there to

Gun Control well 8 day waiting period

Mannahnin wrote:

BTW, Satanism is protected like every other religion.

So is Jihadism, however the atrocities people commit while in it arent.

Jollydevil wrote:

Mannahnin wrote:

BTW, Satanism is protected like every other religion.

So is Jihadism, however the atrocities people commit while in it arent.

Jihadism isn't a religion. Of course crimes are still crimes even when done in the name of religion- now you're making Dogma's point. Even though the Constitution is the highest law in the land, and the First Amendment guarantees the free expression of religion, we still don't allow crimes to be excused by that.

Satanism isn't inherently criminal, though. We had a weird moral panic about it in the US in the 80s, but no actual religiously-motivated Satanic crimes or conspiracies were ever found. Just a ton of urban legends. The sociologist Jeffrey Victor wrote a really interesting book, Satanic Panic about it; I wrote a paper on it in school.

Not sure if you two notice....

Notice what?

<-------------------

works both way

Mannahnin wrote:Satanism isn't inherently criminal, though. We had a weird moral panic about it in the US in the 80s, but no actual religiously-motivated Satanic crimes or conspiracies were ever found. Just a ton of urban legends. The sociologist Jeffrey Victor wrote a really interesting book, Satanic Panic about it; I wrote a paper on it in school.

Have you ever read any of Bob Larson's books on the subject?

I can't recommend them enough; you will laugh your balls off. He, quite seriously, outlines the dangers of Satanic influence on American youth. I think you'll particularly enjoy the D&D bits.

Here you are.

http://www.amazon.com/Satanism-Seduction-Americas-Bob-Larson/dp/0840730349/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322335790&sr=1-6

Why did the Bible Belt pop in my mind......

Point was, They both have to do with religion, but that doesnt mean they can practice killing people and say the constitution protects them.
I believe I misunderstood Dogma earlier, I hope we're on. The same page here.
And yep, I do notice Jihadin.

I believe there is no 2 party system in the US and we are all being trolled hard

Monster Rain wrote:

Mannahnin wrote:Satanism isn't inherently criminal, though. We had a weird moral panic about it in the US in the 80s, but no actual religiously-motivated Satanic crimes or conspiracies were ever found. Just a ton of urban legends. The sociologist Jeffrey Victor wrote a really interesting book, Satanic Panic about it; I wrote a paper on it in school.

Have you ever read any of Bob Larson's books on the subject?

I can't recommend them enough; you will laugh your balls off. He, quite seriously, outlines the dangers of Satanic influence on American youth. I think you'll particularly enjoy the D&D bits.

Just watched a bit of Norwegian TV where they did a special on him in his role as an Exorcist, and set up a meeting between him and Necrobutcher, the guitarist from Mayhem.

I honestly don't find those people funny. My great-uncle shut me down when I mentioned D&D over his house one Holiday. My grandmother, after she had a stroke in the 80s and went a bit crazy, fell into that 700 Club stuff. She had one of them call me up at home one day when my folks were out and "save" me over the phone. These folks are honestly kind of scary and repulsive, to me. Moreso than the few Satanists I've met, to be quite honest. (Although the Satanists are usually jerks).


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Jollydevil wrote:Point was, They both have to do with religion, but that doesnt mean they can practice killing people and say the constitution protects them.
I believe I misunderstood Dogma earlier, I hope we're on. The same page here.
And yep, I do notice Jihadin.

Okay, so you're now making the same point Dogma was and which I was explaining to you. Got it.

You're just somehow also confusing Satanists with murderers; probably as a product of hearing those urban legends I mentioned.

Satanism is a dangerous influence in todays youth? I was actually thinking the wanna be gang bangers was the issue..

Jihadin wrote:Satanism is a dangerous influence in todays youth? .

Nope, and never has been. That doesn't stop so-called Christian authors, televangelists, and paid speakers from pretending that is a threat, making up tales about dangerous Satanists and pagans (which they often wrongly conflate), and selling their lies to the credulous.

Footloose just popped into my mind...the Kevin Bacon one

Mannahnin wrote:
Moreso than the few Satanists I've met, to be quite honest. (Although the Satanists are usually jerks).

It goes with the egoism, generally. Oddly I've found similar mentalities to be common among 700 Club devotees, despite ostensibly being about service to a higher power.

After seeing it on Dakka a few dozen times I finally looked up the 700 club, then saw Pat Robertson's name and it all became clear. Those people are as dangerous to the body public as satanists and jihadists.
Although the wiki thing said something about relating the news to bible passages, I could get on board with that just not from the 700 club

AustonT wrote:After seeing it on Dakka a few dozen times I finally looked up the 700 club, then saw Pat Robertson's name and it all became clear. Those people are as dangerous to the body public as satanists and jihadists.
Although the wiki thing said something about relating the news to bible passages, I could get on board with that just not from the 700 club

But Robertson can leg press 2000 lbs, clearly that makes him a trustworthy, credible, and not at all profit-seeking Christian leader.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?

Socialistic meritocrat.

I think a basic standard of living should be guaranteed (food, water, shelter,) by the State. However, the quality of it should be determined by precisely what you've put into the state. So someone who's leeched off the system for ten years gets subsistence level living, someone who paid their tax for twenty years without a murmur who just got made redundant should get a comfortable living allowance, until they get back on their feet.

Education and health care should generally be taken care of by the state, including free University education for any of those who are capable (note that I think half the universities should be closed down, as half the student populace are not capable, and there through social and governmental pressure. Over 120 Universities is too many, only the top seventy or so have qualifications worth anything, or publish research worth a damn).

How do you generally vote?

Depends on how irritating the current government is.

What sources do you get your political news from?

The Times Newspaper, like a Gentleman.

... and how often do you do so?

Every one to two days.

How do you feel about...

Abortion:

The ladies choice. Forcing a woman to carry a baby to term means you're either slicing her open to get it out, or forcing her to give birth. Which in my mind, is equivalent to GBH. Foetuses are not sentient, they are not even independently alive.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:

It should be equal before the eyes of the State. The only reasons given for it not to be are grounded in sociological repression left over from the Dark Ages.

Religion:

Do what you want. Don't shove it in my face.

Global Warning\Climate Change:

I'm not sufficiently educated in the field to even pretend to have an opinion worth listening to.

Gun Control:

Good and bad for both. It really depends on which set of circumstances you prefer.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty

It exists anyway. Assassination is a grand old part of intelligence work, and war is nothing more than state sanctioned murder.

Not that I'm saying I disagree with that mind, but believing that our current government doesn't collaborate in the torture and murder of people it considers a threat is simply naive. We just hide it better than most tinpot dictators.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?

Couldn't care less. American politics is something I have virtually no interest in.

What do you do for a living?

I'm a postgraduate student in War Studies.

Mannahnin wrote:(Although the Satanists are usually jerks)

Out of curiosity were they theistic or laveyan satanists? There's a huge difference (for example: actually believing in the existance of satan)

A Kvlt Ghost wrote:

Mannahnin wrote:(Although the Satanists are usually jerks)

Out of curiosity were they theistic or laveyan satanists? There's a huge difference (for example: actually believing in the existance of satan)

Both. I didn't get to know any of them well, but they largely all came off as self-centered jerks.

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
left wing

How do you generally vote?
if i were american, id vote for democrats for sure
What sources do you get your political news from?
german independent newpapers like "taz"

... and how often do you do so
daily

How do you feel about...

Abortion:
face it, its murder (exept in early stages maybe)
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality:
dont care/ why would anyone want to ban it?
Religion:
atheist, and i dont like people telling me i shoul believe in god
Global Warning\Climate Change:
it real, and GUYS WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!!
Gun Control:
c'mon, you dont really need a smg, do you. What for?
i didlike guns
Healthcare:
nescassary
OWS:
hope they get something done!
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty
if it wouldnt regualerly kill innocents, maybe, but now its a NO

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?
I really hope those republican clowns dont win the election, or were srewed

What do you do for a living?

student

you forgot to ask about age

17

Ketara wrote:



Abortion:

The ladies choice. Forcing a woman to carry a baby to term means you're either slicing her open to get it out, or forcing her to give birth. Which in my mind, is equivalent to GBH. Foetuses are not sentient, they are not even independently alive.

Exactly, plus maybe the women can't afford children, feels she isn't mature enough to raise a child or she just doesn't have any ambitions of having kid.

A Kvlt Ghost wrote:

Mannahnin wrote:(Although the Satanists are usually jerks)

Out of curiosity were they theistic or laveyan satanists? There's a huge difference (for example: actually believing in the existance of satan)

Would make some sense that many of the Satanist Mannahnin encountered were " jerks", one of the primary "tenets" of Laveyan Satanism is that you are your own "God" and should always please yourself first. ( some folks can be rather "jerky" when they stop worrying about pleasing everyone else).
And for the record, Laveyan Satanist don't believe in God or the Devil, nor do they advocate or practice any sort of human or animal sacrifice.

Please don't spam the forum with GIFs. -Mannahnin

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Left

How do you generally vote? Green Party

What sources do you get your political news from? Anywhere except FOX, god knows what those clowns say no a days. Hell John Stewert and Colbart are better then them (and they just take the piss)

... and how often do you do so? Daily

How do you feel about...

Abortion: For it. If the Mother or family can not take care of the baby and giving it up to foster care or adoption is not visable. Then it has to be done
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Whats the differeance between being gay and straight. If you love someone. The couple should be married
Religion: Roman Catholic (All Religion is cool with me, cept atheism..takes as much faith to belive in no faith at all. Only smug tards are atheists anyways)
Global Warning\Climate Change: Its going to happen
Gun Control: Should only be used for hunting (Self defence my butt) There are people who think that its the person who kills the person and not the gun...Thats just BS.
Healthcare: One day we will live in a world when people get sicks and dont get charged for it.
OWS: Is that an American thing?
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty If someone kills a person on purpose they deserve to die. No second chances

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? Obama. He's a hell of a man and a President. If Mcain won in 2008 the Americans would have bin the the debt crisis in about early 2009.

What do you do for a living? Student/Part Time worker

Jollydevil wrote:

dogma wrote:

Jollydevil wrote:
"And yet we frown on religiously motivated terrorism"
"Religiously motived terrorism"
"Terrorism"
Good job, America frowns on terrorism.

I don't see a prohibition against terrorism in the Constitution. Certainly other laws have created such prohibitions, but respecting them in this particular case would mean ignoring the prohibition against laws respecting religions that require terrorist activities in favor the pragmatic concern over terrorism being undesirable.

So basically America should tolerate things like Satanism and terrorism simply because theyre religious?
You baffle me.

Well, there's no problem with Satanism, but dogma is under the mistaken assumption that terrorism is a religious expression. I'm pretty sure many posts on this forum have been reported as "racist" or "offensive" for suggesting the same thing.

You're free to believe whatever you want in the U.S. That's what the free exercise clause means. It doesn't mean you get to act in an otherwise illegal manner.

The action = religious belief (and action = speech with regards to the free speech clause) are two long standing elements of U.S. Constitutional Law that are the most open to abuse, both of which I have a problem with.

biccat wrote:Well, there's no problem with Satanism,

Well, no legal problem, anyway. At least IME it tends to make people jerks. Or maybe they were jerks anyway, and just sought out a religion which reinforced it.

biccat wrote:but dogma is under the mistaken assumption that terrorism is a religious expression.

If I commit a terrorist act out of a religious belief, then clearly that act is an expression of my religious belief. It's not a protected expression, being a criminal act, which is the same point Dogma was making.

Mannahnin wrote:Both. I didn't get to know any of them well, but they largely all came off as self-centered jerks.

I've only met Levayan satanists, but I found them entirely arrogant, entirely fixated on their own assumed virtues.

They reminded me a lot of objectivists, actually, albeit with an even greater persecution complex.

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Objectivism

How do you generally vote? If I could, probably Republican.

What sources do you get your political news from? Fox. come at me bro

... and how often do you do so? Daily

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Should not be government subsidized but legal within reason, only within the first month
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Should be legal.
Religion: Stop pandering to a single religion.
Global Warning\Climate Change: Cut down emissions and stop wasting.
Gun Control: Mental evaluation every year/2 years to own a gun, no violent criminal record. Otherwise, have at it.
Healthcare: Should be corporate-run but government needs, needs, NEEDS, to prevent monopoly in this department.
OWS: I honestly dunno. They have a right to protest but not a right to commit crimes. I'll say I'm indifferent on this one.
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: Clear out death row and start using it for third-degree murder and child cases. You can interpret what 'clear out death row' means yourself.


What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? Herman Cain's the only Republican that makes sense, and even then, I doubt he's really got this one in the bag. The rest of the candidates are a joke and shouldn't even be mentioned.

What do you do for a living? Haven't graduated high school yet, working to become a nurse

biccat wrote:
Well, there's no problem with Satanism, but dogma is under the mistaken assumption that terrorism is a religious expression.

No, I'm under the impression that, when expressed as a consequence of religion, terrorism and religious expression are not mutually exclusive.

Of course, you knew what I was saying, you just didn't like it and so chose to distort it.

biccat wrote:
You're free to believe whatever you want in the U.S. That's what the free exercise clause means.

It doesn't mean you get to act in an otherwise illegal manner.

Then there should be no problem with banning anti-government speech.

Free to believe, but not free to practice and all that.

Since when was it forbidden to speak out against the government?

What would you describe as your political affiliation?
Took a test once to determine, forgot the results. I hate politics too much to remember.

How do you generally vote?
By weighing pros and cons between the runners?

What sources do you get your political news from?
Fox news! On a serious note, from different sources.

... and how often do you do so?
Only when I hear something bad or good enough to warrant research

How do you feel about...

Abortion: All for it.
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Against it. I've always seen it as marriage is a term and status of a hetero couple. A gay couple can be joined in a legal sense, but I don't like it when it's called marriage.
Religion: Don't like it. Causes more problems than anything I know.
Global Warning\Climate Change: Too many conflicting sources, not sure what to believe.
Gun Control: Second amendment all the way. Criminals will always have access to guns, taking them away from the public means we have to rely more on the government for protection. I don't like that.
Healthcare: I don't know enough about the situation to really take a stance. Free health care would be great but it would have unknown effects elsewhere.
OWS: I like that people are finally growing a spine and standing up for something, but the problem is demands are vague and there's no leader.
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty - I'm all for it. Should be done more often. Life in prison just makes you a leech on society until your end comes.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? All of the candidates are terrible.

What do you do for a living? Currently unemployed. Also too young to have a clear title.

What would you describe as your political affiliation? Socialist

How do you generally vote?Can't yet. Will though

What sources do you get your political news from? Jon Stewart, BBC, unbiased news

... and how often do you do so? Every day.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Agree with it. If the kids want to get rid of their child go ahead, its their kid their decision.
Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: GO ahead. Marry each other.
Religion: I am a Lutheran with strong biased views against Evolutionists and Big Bang Theories.
Global Warning\Climate Change:Global Warning exists and it is happening.
Gun Control:I want to carry a gun wherever i go I do not want to be ticketed or arrested because I possess a firearm. I will need in places I live.
Healthcare: Make it Socalist already.
OWS:YOur doing it wrong! You should be trying to beat them at their own game.
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: No one should recieve the death penalty. Thats not enough punishment give them 60 years of imprisonment and ensure they can't escape and make their lives a living hell.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election? Republicans Lose because all of the canadites are dumb. Democrats have a chance if Hillary Clinton runs for president.

What do you do for a living? Game Design and still in school.

Asherian Command wrote:Abortion: Agree with it. If the kids want to get rid of their child go ahead, its their kid their decision.
...
Capital Punishment\Death Penalty: No one should recieve the death penalty. Thats not enough punishment give them 60 years of imprisonment and ensure they can't escape and make their lives a living hell.

Well, no one except unwanted kids should receive the death penalty, apparently.

dogma wrote:No, I'm under the impression that, when expressed as a consequence of religion, terrorism and religious expression are not mutually exclusive.

Such an impression is, of course, mistaken.

dogma wrote:Then there should be no problem with banning anti-government speech.

Free to believe, but not free to practice and all that.

You do know that there's a difference between free speech and religious freedom, right? They're completely different.

biccat wrote:Well, no one except unwanted kids should receive the death penalty, apparently.

Which is a perfectly sensible argument, provided everyone believes that a collection of cells that will develop over nine months to become a baby.

Now, it's perfectly reasonable to believe that, in fact I'd say it's about as reasonable a point as any other. But the insistance that we must all accept that point is basically the exact opposite of reasonable.

sebster wrote:

biccat wrote:Well, no one except unwanted kids should receive the death penalty, apparently.

Which is a perfectly sensible argument, provided everyone believes that a collection of cells that will develop over nine months to become a baby.

Now, it's perfectly reasonable to believe that, in fact I'd say it's about as reasonable a point as any other. But the insistance that we must all accept that point is basically the exact opposite of reasonable.

Reading comprehension is your friend, sebster:

its their kid their decision

The poster admits what you refer to as "a collection of cells" is a kid, and actually makes no distinction between kids and "a collection of cells." It's unclear whether the poster in question 'merely' supports abortion or has adopted Peter Singer's infanticide argument.

In the future before you respond, please take some time to read the post you're responding to, especially when you decide to respond in such an aggressive manner. I'd sure appreciate it.

How do you generally vote? : Democrat

What sources do you get your political news from? : NBC, Daily SHow, Colbert Report, random other sources

... and how often do you do so? : Every day or so.

How do you feel about...

Abortion: Zygotes are not people, therefore I am indifferent.Late term abortions I still think are o.k, just I don't personally like the idea.

Gay Marriage/Marriage Equality: Rights for everyone!

Religion: Non religious. Science FTW

Global Warning\Climate Change: We need to do something quickly.

Gun Control: I am a liberal. WITH GUNS. I friggin LOVE guns.

Healthcare: I probably haven't researched enough on this to form an intelligent response.

Capital Punishment\Death Penalty : Sometimes I think it is alright, but not the way Texas does it. That's just too much.

What do you think about the 2012 US Presidential election?

Meh. Hope Obama gets it, though I don't think he's a great president. Decent enough though.

What do you do for a living? : Work my @ss of in school in hopes of becoming an astronaut.


Another thing: I am EXTREMELY pro space exploration. I think it is in the long run the most important thing we can do for humanity, and I may actually go to college with being an Astronaut in mind. I think we should spend a LOT more on our space program. Though the space shuttle cancellation was a good thing because NASA is ow developing the SLS (Space Launch System) with the goal of human exploration in mind, to Near Earth Asteroids, instead of just earth orbit like the space shuttles. When it comes to space, I'm not left or right, I'm UP lol.

Anyway, that's my hastily typed 2 cents.

biccat wrote:Reading comprehension is your friend, sebster:

its their kid their decision

The poster admits what you refer to as "a collection of cells" is a kid, and actually makes no distinction between kids and "a collection of cells." It's unclear whether the poster in question 'merely' supports abortion or has adopted Peter Singer's infanticide argument.

I think you're reading a hell of a lot into his use of the word 'kid', almost as if you're assuming your mindset applies to other people.

I'm happy to wait to see his response, if he says it is a person but he's okay with the mother deciding to kill it, then I'll concede the point.

In the future before you respond, please take some time to read the post you're responding to, especially when you decide to respond in such an aggressive manner. I'd sure appreciate it.

At this point in our posting history, I really, sincerely doubt it.

biccat wrote:
Such an impression is, of course, mistaken.

Not so much. There is no part of either the definition of terrorism, or the definition of religious expression which renders them mutually exclusive categories.

Terrorism may not be a protected form of religious expression (the state has a compelling interest to restrict it), but that doesn't suddenly prevent it from being religious expression; just as "fighting words" don't cease to be speech even if that speech is not protected.

biccat wrote:
You do know that there's a difference between free speech and religious freedom, right? They're completely different.

I was speaking to the general principal of freedom of belief, but you're correct the example was poorly conceived.