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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