I have to say after reading the league stuff, I am pretty much where I already was. I will go through my reasons for leaning toward the Democrats: I like public education, I am totally against vouchers- in our huge multicultural society one of the few places where we are forced to come together and learn how to relate to each other, is in the public schools. I want public money to be focused on the public schools- so that they will be places where the majority of our citizens become well educated with their fellow citizens of every race, religion, and socioeconomic group. I accept that not everyone wishes to be publicly educated- but we must make a value judgment with public money, and in my opinion it should be spent on institutions that bring all people together, not on institutions that encourage separatism.
Further, as relates to education, because of the diversity in our culture, no religious instruction should take place in school for ANY religion. All children should be able to come to school with their faith safely tucked inside them. Subject matter in school should be objective and non-sectarian. The theory of evolution should be taught and children should know what theory means. The Christian Jewish Biblical explanation for creation is not appropriate in public schools. There should be no encouragement for prayer in the public schools.
On the environment, again I lean toward the Democratic view of higher standards for air and water purity, and I would like to see open space preserved, more national parks, more attention to alternative energy sources, etc etc.
Medicare- I don't agree with any political party on this. We are very wasteful (imo) in using the bulk of our health care dollars on the last few months of life. I see no purpose to that. I would like to see patient sufferring minimized but I do not like to think my tax dollars are going to heroic measures for people who are critically ill and have no hope of recovery. I would like to see medicare reformed- and see it offer a great deal more in the way of preventive medicine and less in the way of heroic measures.
Internationally I do not agree to involving the US overseas except where international borders are at issue- and where the issues are clearly defines and our national interest is at stake- so according to the league I would lean toward the Republicans on this. I do not think free trade is a very good way to go when the rest of the world is not playing by that rule. I am truly worried about the vast outflow of cash to China- we have a severe imbalance there and it worries me. Of course since I am sort of anti- free trade this again causes me to lean toward the Democrats.
Social Security- you shouldn't get it if you don't need it, but you should get your money back. Social Security should kick in at a later age- when it was first proposed the median age of death was very close to 65. Of course the median age of death has been pushed back- so the age to collect social security must be also- 70 at the very least. No one wants to do this. I can't blame them- those seniors are powerful. They are a lot more powerful, for example, than children- who have no lobby- so the old folks get a lot of benefits- but is that sensible? I would argue no. It is the young on whose shoulders all those old people will be standing. Those kids will need to work darned hard to put enough money into the pot to keep the older folks checks rolling in- since we all know there is not stash of cash for these programs.
I am prochoice, and so again that forces me toward the Democrats. |
