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The Ultimate Politics Survey
Describe your stance on:
Abortion: Pro-choice, but I believe it needs to be paired with very effective social programs to minimize unwanted pregnancies.
Affirmative Action: Reverse discrimination. I want no part of benefits from it and I question if it does more harm than good. That being said, I'm not sure how to redress the balance or get minorities on an even footing - if it can be done. The problem is big, and my knowledge of it is not.
Age of Consent: Problem is, some people are really adults and think as adults sooner than others. But I'd say the 16-18 that most states I'm aware of use seems a reasonable number.
Animal Testing: Only if reasonably necessary. If it will assure the safety of a NEEDED product, yes. Makeup? No. Medicines that could save lives? Sorry, but yes. I'll feel bad for the animals, but I wouldn't want to see people die for it.
Death Penalty: I can't make my mind up on this. I hate the idea of it; I think some people deserve it; I question whether we can apply it fairly. I question whether we can ever know. At the same time, what about people we pay to keep penned in forever, never really living, never contributing, and if they get loose, what they'd do again? If we could know perfectly - then I would advocate the death penalty. As it is, I waver back and forth, unsure of my position.
Downloading Music/Movies: If you get a copy to listen to it, to decide if you want to buy it, probably okay. If you bought it or it's free from the band, absolutely okay. If you download it, you should have paid money for it, and you don't intend to buy it if you like it (or you like it, keep it, and don't buy it, regardless of initial intent), it's theft. I do think the music industry to a great degree and movie industry to a lesser degree overcharges wildly, but it is their right. Our right to respond is by not buying the product, not by stealing it. I think Stanford's charges too much for a mediocre steak dinner, too, but that only means I don't go to Stanford's, not that I walk in and carry off a steak without paying.
Drug Decriminalization: Argh. No opinion, or too many opinions. On the one hand, criminalizing it isn't working. On the other hand, some of the results are really not acceptable, particularly where the users endanger other people or where those who are using the drugs are too young or incapacitated to make a reasoned decision even before they start on the drugs.... I don't approve of drug use. I think it is wrong and stupid and horrible. But making it illegal isn't working, either. I don't know what the answer is, since humanity as a species is apparently woefully stupid.
Factory Farming: Bleh. Insufficiently informed to have a real opinion.
Free Trade: Don't know enough to have an opinion.
Funding of Arts: Is a good thing - I think in particular funding art programs in schools - even if it does stir up the question of what's art.
Gay Marriage: Absolutely should be legal. Absolutely should NOT require anyone OTHER than Justice of the Peace to provide it - f'rex, religious ministers...they have a right to their beliefs, no matter what mine are. But gay marriage should be legal, purely civil gay marriages should be available, and those churches that choose to offer it should be able to provide a marriage certificate as well as the meaningful ceremony.
Gun Control: Can never be done effectively. What you want to do is keep 'em out of the hands of the terminally stupid and the criminal, and that's just not doable. Which is a damned pity.
Immigration: Insufficient knowledge for an opinion. I like the image of my country as open. I don't like the image of my country as having even more people. We're already overpopulated. I would like those who come in to be able to contribute something.
Hardcore Pornography: As long as it only involves consenting adults and you don't involve me with it (seeing it, your attitudes, discussing it, etc.), whatever I might think of it personally, I don't care or dispute the rights of those involved.
Human Cloning: Really, really squicks me, and raises all sorts of ethical questions, viability issues, etc. Not pleased with the idea at ALL.
Miltary Draft: No. I know it may become necessary, but I think the draft is very bad for the people it pulls in who are not wanting/up to military service (even if they pass the requirements and get dragged in). I think service in the military should be purely a choice. (I wouldn't have a similar aversion to required service of SOME sort - where the option of military service was available but others, contributing to society rather than defending it, were also possible.)
Minimum Wage: Is too low for the cost of living these days. Raise it and the cost of living goes up. What the answer is, I don't know.
Prostitution: Legalize it, regulate it, and tax it.
School Vouchers: Probably a good idea, but it's early days to tell yet. I'd mourn the money leaving our public schools, which need so much work, but I don't think that money is the answer there. It hasn't worked yet.
Taxes: Too light on the rich, too heavy on the poor, somewhere in the vicinity of reasonable or a bit too heavy on the middle class, but probably reasonable. (And as I say that, please realize that I classify our household in what I'd call middle class - I do not think the taxes I pay are unreasonable, though I surely wouldn't MIND the extra money. I do think people who make seven figures and pay no taxes, without lying or cheating, or seriously unusual circumstances such as health issues - and I know of a couple who are relatives of my coworkers - are a clear sign of a system gone wrong.)
United Nations: Unsure what to think. I like the idea, but it sure has looked ineffectual. On the other hand, I don't really know enough to say.
Universal Health Care: There has to be some way. It's not right that so many people should suffer and die for lack of medical coverage. The question is, can it be done "right" - so that the price is reasonable and the system still works. And my guess, from looking at other countries that have done it, is that it depends on your definition of "works". I rather like the fact that my private health insurance and income bracket let me see a doctor sooner than three months from now. :P But some system to catch those with nothing else CONSISTENTLY would be nice. I know there are programs for that, I don't get the impression everyone who needs it is covered.
War on Terrorism: Right concept, being badly mis-executed right now as far as I can tell. (If there aren't elements of it we're not seeing, then it's being VERY badly mis-executed. This is definitely one of those things where you don't want all your cards on the table. And if they are executing it well behind the scenes, well...good. I'll likely learn it in years to come. For now, it looks pretty iffy from where I'm sitting.)
Welfare: Necessary and useful, with balances to make sure that it doesn't become a career for people who could make a living of their own.
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Describe your stance on:
Abortion: Pro-choice, but I believe it needs to be paired with very effective social programs to minimize unwanted pregnancies.
Affirmative Action: Reverse discrimination. I want no part of benefits from it and I question if it does more harm than good. That being said, I'm not sure how to redress the balance or get minorities on an even footing - if it can be done. The problem is big, and my knowledge of it is not.
Age of Consent: Problem is, some people are really adults and think as adults sooner than others. But I'd say the 16-18 that most states I'm aware of use seems a reasonable number.
Animal Testing: Only if reasonably necessary. If it will assure the safety of a NEEDED product, yes. Makeup? No. Medicines that could save lives? Sorry, but yes. I'll feel bad for the animals, but I wouldn't want to see people die for it.
Death Penalty: I can't make my mind up on this. I hate the idea of it; I think some people deserve it; I question whether we can apply it fairly. I question whether we can ever know. At the same time, what about people we pay to keep penned in forever, never really living, never contributing, and if they get loose, what they'd do again? If we could know perfectly - then I would advocate the death penalty. As it is, I waver back and forth, unsure of my position.
Downloading Music/Movies: If you get a copy to listen to it, to decide if you want to buy it, probably okay. If you bought it or it's free from the band, absolutely okay. If you download it, you should have paid money for it, and you don't intend to buy it if you like it (or you like it, keep it, and don't buy it, regardless of initial intent), it's theft. I do think the music industry to a great degree and movie industry to a lesser degree overcharges wildly, but it is their right. Our right to respond is by not buying the product, not by stealing it. I think Stanford's charges too much for a mediocre steak dinner, too, but that only means I don't go to Stanford's, not that I walk in and carry off a steak without paying.
Drug Decriminalization: Argh. No opinion, or too many opinions. On the one hand, criminalizing it isn't working. On the other hand, some of the results are really not acceptable, particularly where the users endanger other people or where those who are using the drugs are too young or incapacitated to make a reasoned decision even before they start on the drugs.... I don't approve of drug use. I think it is wrong and stupid and horrible. But making it illegal isn't working, either. I don't know what the answer is, since humanity as a species is apparently woefully stupid.
Factory Farming: Bleh. Insufficiently informed to have a real opinion.
Free Trade: Don't know enough to have an opinion.
Funding of Arts: Is a good thing - I think in particular funding art programs in schools - even if it does stir up the question of what's art.
Gay Marriage: Absolutely should be legal. Absolutely should NOT require anyone OTHER than Justice of the Peace to provide it - f'rex, religious ministers...they have a right to their beliefs, no matter what mine are. But gay marriage should be legal, purely civil gay marriages should be available, and those churches that choose to offer it should be able to provide a marriage certificate as well as the meaningful ceremony.
Gun Control: Can never be done effectively. What you want to do is keep 'em out of the hands of the terminally stupid and the criminal, and that's just not doable. Which is a damned pity.
Immigration: Insufficient knowledge for an opinion. I like the image of my country as open. I don't like the image of my country as having even more people. We're already overpopulated. I would like those who come in to be able to contribute something.
Hardcore Pornography: As long as it only involves consenting adults and you don't involve me with it (seeing it, your attitudes, discussing it, etc.), whatever I might think of it personally, I don't care or dispute the rights of those involved.
Human Cloning: Really, really squicks me, and raises all sorts of ethical questions, viability issues, etc. Not pleased with the idea at ALL.
Miltary Draft: No. I know it may become necessary, but I think the draft is very bad for the people it pulls in who are not wanting/up to military service (even if they pass the requirements and get dragged in). I think service in the military should be purely a choice. (I wouldn't have a similar aversion to required service of SOME sort - where the option of military service was available but others, contributing to society rather than defending it, were also possible.)
Minimum Wage: Is too low for the cost of living these days. Raise it and the cost of living goes up. What the answer is, I don't know.
Prostitution: Legalize it, regulate it, and tax it.
School Vouchers: Probably a good idea, but it's early days to tell yet. I'd mourn the money leaving our public schools, which need so much work, but I don't think that money is the answer there. It hasn't worked yet.
Taxes: Too light on the rich, too heavy on the poor, somewhere in the vicinity of reasonable or a bit too heavy on the middle class, but probably reasonable. (And as I say that, please realize that I classify our household in what I'd call middle class - I do not think the taxes I pay are unreasonable, though I surely wouldn't MIND the extra money. I do think people who make seven figures and pay no taxes, without lying or cheating, or seriously unusual circumstances such as health issues - and I know of a couple who are relatives of my coworkers - are a clear sign of a system gone wrong.)
United Nations: Unsure what to think. I like the idea, but it sure has looked ineffectual. On the other hand, I don't really know enough to say.
Universal Health Care: There has to be some way. It's not right that so many people should suffer and die for lack of medical coverage. The question is, can it be done "right" - so that the price is reasonable and the system still works. And my guess, from looking at other countries that have done it, is that it depends on your definition of "works". I rather like the fact that my private health insurance and income bracket let me see a doctor sooner than three months from now. :P But some system to catch those with nothing else CONSISTENTLY would be nice. I know there are programs for that, I don't get the impression everyone who needs it is covered.
War on Terrorism: Right concept, being badly mis-executed right now as far as I can tell. (If there aren't elements of it we're not seeing, then it's being VERY badly mis-executed. This is definitely one of those things where you don't want all your cards on the table. And if they are executing it well behind the scenes, well...good. I'll likely learn it in years to come. For now, it looks pretty iffy from where I'm sitting.)
Welfare: Necessary and useful, with balances to make sure that it doesn't become a career for people who could make a living of their own.
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