Well, I am getting to the point where I feel like I should clarify a few things. Perhaps I have neglected to give out the full reasoning and backing of my opinions for whichever reason. So, this evening if I can plow through it all, I will try and give my views on some *political* things and my reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with them in the grander scheme. I will just post a political topic, give my good old 'agree' or 'disagree' and then pour out the reasons why I believe such. Have fun, you know you'll love it.
Abortion rights
I disagree with the premise that a woman, having engaged in consensual sexual activies, has any legal 'right' to have an abortion. The U.S. Declaration of Independence includes a little phrase: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness". Unless you're an unwanted, unborn child. Now, for those of you out there who immediately shriek, 'ahh, you dont have a reproductive system!!', 'you're not a woman!!', 'you're just a man trying to control a woman's body!!'...A) I DO have a reproductive system b) there are plenty of reasons that I feel that abortion has been improperly legalized. A woman does have control over the privacy and health of her body. Here are the following ambiguities in the law:
A woman who is pregnant but intentionally starves herself and therefore puts the child in harm is committing a felony and can be forced into psychiatric holding until the child reaches term.
A woman who wants to take her own life cannot attempt suicide and fail without being prosecuted and remanded to psychiatric treatment on grounds of felonious activity.
A woman cannot ask a physician or other medical professional to assist her in any attempt to commit suicide without also committing a felony
A woman whose child is injured or killed in a car wreck, intentional harm (assault, murder, manslaughter), unintentional harm, or any other of many various reasons can press charges on her behalf AND her childs behalf.
A dog who is pregnant cannot be harmed. If the dog is harmed and the puppies are also harmed, the person can be charged with animal cruelty for the mother and all unborn pups.
Obviously these ambiguities are pathetic in a legal system as ordered as ours. A woman obviously does not have FULL right to do with her body what she wants. And therefore, a woman does not have any legal or inherent right to harm or kill an unborn child just because its unwanted. The second a child is harmed AND WANTED, it garners legal protection. How screwed up is that.
Affirmative Action
What a completely bogus concept. This is a perfect example of an entitlement state (our government) furthering the entitlment to create an uneven playing field. A study done by the Department of Education in 1999 (note that year please) showed that failing schools are disproportionately in highly urbanized and exceedingly poor rural areas. But that, and here's the good part, the failing schools show NO RACIAL BIAS OR TREND. This means that blacks don't go to more failing schools than whites or any other racial group. This means **gasp** that maybe the reason that more blacks drop out of school and fail if they stay is that it's their own fault. I know, I know...who would come up with such a concept. When it comes to job quotas and college admissions, I believe it is obvious that the best candidate, regardless of race, should be admitted or hired. But schools like the University of Michigan want to adjust that and screw out a few more white kids with good grades so their campus can become a bit more 'diverse'.
Alternative Energies
I am completely frustrated with the United States and its western culture companions. The US and Canada are virtually tied in the 'oil used per capita' statistic. And while western Europe does better, they don't do that much better. Right now, per capita, the US is DEAD LAST in public funds directed towards research and development of alternative energy sources among developed (mostly western) nations. We have, right now, the complete technologic capability to convert at least 20 percent of our power grid to alternative energies such as wind and solar. Solar panels alone have increased in efficiency by 250% in the last 10 years (thank you Japan!!). We MUST do better on this now.
Gay Marriage
I cannot say that I support a constitutional ban on gay marriage. I just do not feel that the non-religion endorsing government of the US should be going around playing moral police. This does not mean that I think gay marriage is a positive thing for society...just that I don't feel our government has the right to impose a certain religious based morality on the nation. I am for legal protection of a homosexual person's partner if the person dies. I am for benefits (insurance, etc) for a homosexual's partner if the right of marriage or civil union is not granted in the state. I do not feel just because my morality is slanted one way, that my government must automatically agree.
Social Security Reform
I am one of these who feel that SS is so far gone that there really is no way to make any reform and save SS. Bush's plan is fine. Throw some money (3-5%) into accounts that could earn more interest than the government has been earning with it for the past...oh...55 years. The problem here is simple: Four times the US Congress passed laws stating that the monies paid out to SS-eligible citizens would be adjusted for inflation and cost of living increases. This was done without the monies they paid in increasing. Therefore, the Law of Diminishing Returns is in effect. There is no way, under either system, that I will ever get back, per year, what I am paying in. Under Bush's plan there is a CHANCE that I could get slightly more (1-2%) back than under the current one. Im not really sure what the Democrats' plan is besides spouting 'Bush's plan is bad, bad, bad' to people everywhere.
Immigration
Send them home. I think that's succinct. The US has one of the more open, liberal citizenship processes in the world (go read the rules for Ireland or Britain if you don't believe me) and if a person cannot go about the legal means of citizenship, export them back from whence they came. I am ALL FOR building a giant wall along the Mexican border. Vicente Fox can take his piddly whining and go to hell. Not only is it a major economic problem for our nation (on so, so many levels), but it is a serious threat in allowing terror suspects free access to entry into the country. Start pouring the cement.
Those are the biggies which will be discussed tonight. I will now give a synopsis of the rest and any of you who are so inclined may request that I post in greater detail about any of them. If Neutral is listed for a topic, I haven't decided completely as of yet.
Death Penalty: Against
Unionization of labor : Against
Flat Tax: Against
Environmental cleanup burdens upon corporations: For
Free Market enterprising: For
Death Tax: Against
Agricultural Subsidies: Neutral
Freedom of Religious Expressions in Public Schools: For
Mandatory Prayer in Public Schools: Against
Public Funding for Abortions: Against
Capping Medical Liability Insurance Cost: For
Social Programs like Americorps: Against
Welfare: Inherently Against
Social Security Disability: For
The ACLU: Against
Restrictions on Religious Expressions anywhere: Against
In Other News...
a) Cubs 1-0. Boo Yah. No closer issues today.
b) I may be allowed to walk as early as Tuesday. How cool is that?
c) No other news today...
Connemara's Rising is solely a division of David Brunner's Intellectual gifts.
© 2004 David Brunner
