I posted this on MySpace, thought I would put it here, just for posterity.....

Issues

Here are some of the things I'll be addressing when I get around to it, among other things. If you feel strongly about any of these issues, chances are you will disagree with me, and reading this will cause you discomfort....

Abortion - I believe the woman has a right to discard a pregnancy if she so chooses. The issue is clouded in society by the separate issue of when the fetus is viable. To me, the question is irrelevant because the fetus could not survive on its own outside the womb. Then there are all the consequences for the life a child born unwanted, and the burdens such a situation places on society in general. Those issues are never discussed, are disregarded by those opposed to the practice as irrelevant.

Euthanasia - I believe a person should have control over their own life. If a person expresses the desire to live only under conditions above a certain threshold of quality of life, there is nobody with the authority or the right to oppose such wishes. If they have the means to end it, they should be able to do so. If they dont have the means, or are incapable, they should be afforded access to someone willing and able to comply with their wishes.

Religion - This is a big one. I am an atheist. Not only do I not believe in a god or other higher power or authority, I personally think religion is debilitating to the general well being of the human race. I have encountered very few people that do not use a religious stance to further their own agenda, impose their wishes and beliefs on someone else, or as a barrier against discovery of personal faults and character flaws. A thorough tour of the history of religion, and of subjects of nations in general is very convincing.

Education - More money should be spent on education. College should be free, admission based on academic merit. This would raise the bar in our high schools without resorting to standardized tests. The universities could focus on education rather than financial stability.

Gun control - Our constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms, not an arsenal. Those that want to outlaw guns are unrealistic. This doesn't mean that it takes an uzi to protect a person's home and property, I see no purpose in owning such a firearm.

Labor - There is a lot to say about labor. I am opposed to unions, they regulate something that should be and is done by the government. We in this country live in a capitalist society, unions contradict such an economic system. Unions did once serve a purpose, back when citizens had no control of the government, and had to take matters into their own hands to contest the treatment they endured under oppressive employers willing to exploit their fellow human beings. Now, unions simply present another avenue for bureaucratic exploitation of of the people that put them in office.

Menial labor should be mandatory in this country after high school. Sure, this is a little socialistic, but people always get a better perspective of life in general after doing some type of manual labor. I think it should be required of everyone out of high school, before going on to college. Of course military service should satisfy this requirement. This would solve a number of problems. The labor required would be such things as farm work, basic construction, and the like. This would encourage kids to get out of the house after high school, and they would be doing a lot of the jobs that illegal immigrants are hired for.

I also think manual labor is highly underrated. Success in this country doesn't include working hard at menial labor. Menial labourers as a group are frowned upon by most people that won't do it, and this is strange because on an individual basis, a person is judged admirably if they have a good work ethic and character that allows them to make a living and be self sufficient in such a manner.

One more thing on labor...

Do we not see that a state grows rich by the industry of its citizens, and is plundered by the rapacity of its rulers?

--Desiderius Erasmus

The Press - My opinion about the press is best summed up in a post I did to the local paper....

In my opinion, watchdog is not a role of the press. Their 'role' is to be objective and inform in a responsible manner. If this happens, a consequence is a government checked by a free press. The founding fathers didn't 'decide' that the press should serve as watchdog; they understood that a free press provides an avenue for CITIZENS to watch for irresponsibility in the government. Putting responsibility for watching the government in the hands of journalists takes it out of the hands of the people. In the hands of the people is where it truly belongs, the press is the tool. It is every citizen's responsibility to stay informed, to use the free press as well as other means to make reasonable and responsible decisions about their government.

It appears the press has been lax, because the citizens have been lax. We do not expect responsibility in our press or our government officials. People don't know enough about the officials they elect, the workings of the government those officials administer, or the history behind good and bad government alike. The people should take this responsibility, not rely on the press. The founding fathers took responsibility, they didn't hand it to the press. When the people decide to govern, and use the press as it should be used, the press will have no choice but to inform the public. It is a natural consequence of an informed, self governing society.

Homosexuality
Capitol punishment
Environment
Welfare
Social programs
Taxes
Race issues
Immigration
Health care
Social security