August 24, 2007
My political beliefs
The one thing everyone knows about me is that I have an undying interest in all things political and philosophical. The meaning of life, theories of knowledge, rational thought and critical thinking - all of that and more...I find of interest. I have a substantial library at my home of about 2000 books (it used to be more but after moving 3 times in two years I had no alternative but to tone down my book collection). And, the reason I don't expand my library is in the chance that I end up relocating to Israel permanently.
Anyway, I have always been rather political. My Bachelors Degree was a Bachelors of Science in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration. Ever since I was a kid I had a passion for history and always enjoyed politics. When I was in junior high school I had to do a report on a country and I chose Israel and I had to write to the Israel Embassy in Los Angeles to request information. I remember this because I still have the report. This was the time that Israel was turning 35 years old (1983). My best friend and I worked on that project. We aced it.
As a young adult I used to hang out at Renanissance Books in Riverside and the owner (the county head of the Liberterian Party) and I used to talk and debate (about once a month I was there). Those were interesting times because he was very hippie-like. But he was smart and I took part of that with me as I grew and matured. Just as Cal Baptist and its community influenced me for better and worse, my conversations with this guy (and I cannot remember his name for the life of me) influenced me.
Ever since In High School, I was political. When I was taking AP History classes (advanced placement) I never shyed away from debates. I remember doing research on Karl Marx (and I found him too naively positive about human nature). I love philosophy - those were my most favorite classes in college - Classical political philosophy and modern political philosophy. My favorite philosophers are Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. I also enjoy Immanuel Kant, but that is some heavy reading and it gets rather draining. I have at least 4 copies of Plato's Republic because each one is a slightly different translation - thus you can take a different meaning of the work.
When it comes to modern political issues here is where I tend to stand:
Abortion - Pro-choice but slightly - I do not believe in late term abortions unless the mother's life is at risk
Death Penalty - PRO death penalty - I wish Israel had the death penalty as well - then there would be no issue in freeing prisoners for hostage.
Taxes - The lower the better. I really like Neal Boortz's fair tax.
Drugs - I am actually for the legalization of most drugs - tax them. BUT, if someone commits a crime under the influence, throw the book at them.
Gay Marriage - I am against it. - I think that if they want to try to pass this they should do it the properly constitutionally mandated way and promulgate a Constitutional Amendment. IF they do not have the support for that, then they should not try to do any shortcuts. THOUGH, I am for civil unions.
The War on Terror - This is the main function of the Federal Government and we should be fighting this as we did WWII. We should allocate more resources to fight this more thoroughly. Whatever Presidential candidate is more aggressive in this area is probably going to win my vote in the next election.
Military - I am very much for the expansion of the military budget and resources. This serves as a deterrent and a means of discovery and societal improvements.
The Environment - what a freaking joke. Most environmentalists are like a watermelon - Green in the outside - Red in the inside. In other words, environmentalism is just another way socialists will try to use the power of the government [against its people] and expand the power of government against individuals.
I would have no problem if various cabinet positions were dissolved: End the:
Department of Education - This should be a state issue - not a federal one
Department of Labor - Same as above - but also it blends with Congress's authority
Secretary of Agriculture - Not needed anymore - let the market dictate.
Health and Human Service - This is a purely state issue. States have more impact here.
Housing and Urban Development - Same as above.
Transportation - should only be applicable for interstate means of transportation and international trade
I guess one could say that I am a California Republican. Conservative on Fiscal/military issues but fairly liberal on social issues.
Comments?
Comments are disabled.
Post is locked.
Anyway, I have always been rather political. My Bachelors Degree was a Bachelors of Science in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration. Ever since I was a kid I had a passion for history and always enjoyed politics. When I was in junior high school I had to do a report on a country and I chose Israel and I had to write to the Israel Embassy in Los Angeles to request information. I remember this because I still have the report. This was the time that Israel was turning 35 years old (1983). My best friend and I worked on that project. We aced it.
As a young adult I used to hang out at Renanissance Books in Riverside and the owner (the county head of the Liberterian Party) and I used to talk and debate (about once a month I was there). Those were interesting times because he was very hippie-like. But he was smart and I took part of that with me as I grew and matured. Just as Cal Baptist and its community influenced me for better and worse, my conversations with this guy (and I cannot remember his name for the life of me) influenced me.
Ever since In High School, I was political. When I was taking AP History classes (advanced placement) I never shyed away from debates. I remember doing research on Karl Marx (and I found him too naively positive about human nature). I love philosophy - those were my most favorite classes in college - Classical political philosophy and modern political philosophy. My favorite philosophers are Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. I also enjoy Immanuel Kant, but that is some heavy reading and it gets rather draining. I have at least 4 copies of Plato's Republic because each one is a slightly different translation - thus you can take a different meaning of the work.
When it comes to modern political issues here is where I tend to stand:
Abortion - Pro-choice but slightly - I do not believe in late term abortions unless the mother's life is at risk
Death Penalty - PRO death penalty - I wish Israel had the death penalty as well - then there would be no issue in freeing prisoners for hostage.
Taxes - The lower the better. I really like Neal Boortz's fair tax.
Drugs - I am actually for the legalization of most drugs - tax them. BUT, if someone commits a crime under the influence, throw the book at them.
Gay Marriage - I am against it. - I think that if they want to try to pass this they should do it the properly constitutionally mandated way and promulgate a Constitutional Amendment. IF they do not have the support for that, then they should not try to do any shortcuts. THOUGH, I am for civil unions.
The War on Terror - This is the main function of the Federal Government and we should be fighting this as we did WWII. We should allocate more resources to fight this more thoroughly. Whatever Presidential candidate is more aggressive in this area is probably going to win my vote in the next election.
Military - I am very much for the expansion of the military budget and resources. This serves as a deterrent and a means of discovery and societal improvements.
The Environment - what a freaking joke. Most environmentalists are like a watermelon - Green in the outside - Red in the inside. In other words, environmentalism is just another way socialists will try to use the power of the government [against its people] and expand the power of government against individuals.
I would have no problem if various cabinet positions were dissolved: End the:
Department of Education - This should be a state issue - not a federal one
Department of Labor - Same as above - but also it blends with Congress's authority
Secretary of Agriculture - Not needed anymore - let the market dictate.
Health and Human Service - This is a purely state issue. States have more impact here.
Housing and Urban Development - Same as above.
Transportation - should only be applicable for interstate means of transportation and international trade
I guess one could say that I am a California Republican. Conservative on Fiscal/military issues but fairly liberal on social issues.
Comments?
Posted by: Robert Woolwine at
08:00 AM
| Comments (3)
| Add Comment
Post contains 826 words, total size 5 kb.
Posted by: Shawn at August 24, 2007 10:02 AM (lFvYB)
2
you made about 17 points, i disagree with about 4 of them. but which ones? hehehe.... i can see teenagers saying to their parents, but this is legal the drugs i'm using? hmmm
Posted by: Chris07 at August 24, 2007 07:04 PM (Fbigh)
3
With the drugs you would have the same age restrictions as with booze. No one under 21 years old.
That would be the restriction with that.
That would be the restriction with that. Posted by: Robert Woolwine at August 24, 2007 07:13 PM (oHBxM)
19kb generated in CPU 0.0243, elapsed 0.1275 seconds.
35 queries taking 0.1165 seconds, 98 records returned.
Powered by Minx 1.1.6c-pink.
35 queries taking 0.1165 seconds, 98 records returned.
Powered by Minx 1.1.6c-pink.
