NationStates Jolt Archive

There are several threads ongoing which ask about political labels ... are you a .......... [ fill in the blank ].

I thought a list of where people stand on the issues might be illuminating.

Free-trade/Globalism:
Equal Rights:
Other Social Policies:
Domestic Economic Policy:
National Debt:
Corporate "Welfare:"

Feel free to add others you think are important.

My own opinions on each of these ...

Free-trade/Globalism: Globalism is inevitable, as is free-trade. More control over the process to help people adjust would be good.

Equal Rights: Hold a mirror under their nose, if they fog it up, they're entitled to equal protection under the law. If the laws discriminate, change 'em.

Other Social Policies: Can't think of any others just now ... more later.

Domestic Economic Policy: Balance the budget, reduce the deficit, promote new business creation. Flat tax with no exemptions, no deductions, same percentage for any and all sources of income.

National Debt: Eliminate as soon as possible!

Corporate "Welfare:" Except in extreme circumstances ( eg., thousands thrown out of work ) eliminate it.

Free-trade/Globalism: I support Fair Trade, not Free Trade and globalism that respects human rights, and the environment.

Equal rights: We still have to work on this one....women still don't earn the same as men, and in most of the world do not have near the freedom of men.

Other social policies: they all need to be cleaned up, meaning more citizen participation, rather than being privatised.

Domestic Economic Policy: Canada is joined too tightly with the U.S...when Bush farts, we smell it. We need to be more self-reliant, and not jump on the bandwagon of nations who feel free to rape the resources of other countries.

National Debt: Smoke and mirrors...and government stupidity...I mean, $120 for a bolt? Someone needs to keep a closer eye on government corruption instead of using our debt as an excuse to privatise everything.

Corporate welfare: tax breaks gotta come from somewhere, and I'm sick of them coming from my pocket to line the pockets of corporate bigwigs instead of going towards filling in the potholes in my town. The Royal Bank made a billion dollars in profit one year and paid $1 in taxes. I made $32,000 that year and paid $14, 575 in taxes. Curses.

Poverty: The vast majority of people aren't poor because they're lazy...they're poor because the system is set up with inherent inequalities, making the American or Canadian or whatever Dream a big, fat lie. Hard work doesn't make you rich, otherwise janitors would be billionaires...being the biggest thieving. lying bastard makes you rich...or Prime Minister.

Democracy: To most just means voting every couple of years...or thinking about voting but not actually getting off the couch to do it. End of story. Representative democracy is a crock of sh*t. People need to take more control over the policies that affect them. *smells revolution in the air*

i am a complete degenerate, and will invoke that stance on all aforementioned questions.

There are several threads ongoing which ask about political labels ... are you a .......... [ fill in the blank ].

I thought a list of where people stand on the issues might be illuminating.

Free-trade/Globalism:
Equal Rights:
Other Social Policies:
Domestic Economic Policy:
National Debt:
Corporate "Welfare:"

Feel free to add others you think are important.

I am a... Capitalist. Here are my views.

Free-trade/Globalism: International business is good. People and companies from nations everywhere should be able to buy and sell whatever they want to whoever they want. The same is true on a national scale.

Equal Rights: Everybody, regardless of race, religious convictions or sex should be considered an equal by the government. Perhaps a special rule set should exist for those deemed mentally incapable, however. Still, all competant adults should have the same laws apply to them.

Other Social Policies: Live and let live. Laws should only exist to protect the populace from damage to person or property. This means complete repealling of gun, drug, alcohol laws and so on.

Domestic Economic Policy: Negligible taxation only to fund a police force, a military, and provision of public land like roads to facilitate travel and trade without trespass.

National Debt: It sucks. The government should stop spending so much and stay out of debt.

Corporate "Welfare": This should be abolished. The government cannot be allowed to treat one business entity any differently to another.

There are several threads ongoing which ask about political labels ... are you a .......... [ fill in the blank ].

I thought a list of where people stand on the issues might be illuminating.

Free-trade/Globalism:
Equal Rights:
Other Social Policies:
Domestic Economic Policy:
National Debt:
Corporate "Welfare:"

Feel free to add others you think are important.

Free trade: not enough knowledge to decide.
Equal Rights: This question is too open ended to answer properly.
Other Social Policies: Fix Social Security! When it's time I want my money!
Domestic Economic Policy: Stop shipping jobs overseas.
National Debt: Reduce it!
Corporate "Welfare:" We tried to bail out the airlines and they still go bankrupt...

End abortion!!!

Free-trade/Globalism: Globalisation is occuring as a natural progression; i don't think there is any real harm from it. Free trade is a nice idea, but in practice it screws the poorest countries, widening the rich-poor divide. Fair trade is much better imo.

Equal rights: absolutley. equal rights for all. but that's 'rights'. opportunities are not the same for all people - government intervention is necessary to provide for the poorest. more spending on education and the NHS (national health service - UK).

Other social policies: legalise marijuna but with regulation. reform of drugs laws (cant be arsed to spell em out again), more libertarian policies within your own home, but not just anything to be tolerated in public (eg nudity). greater social welfare policies.

Domestic Economic Policy: raise taxes to afford ^. (not 100% domestic) but integrate with Europe more --> fully (eventual federal europe). more corporate regulation (for big business anyway, small firms should have the unnecessary red tape reduced). protecionist imports policies ok as other countries still do it (plus, in EU control - not mine). Reduce military spending. Increase education spending. re-nationalise many industries.

National Debt: Not such an issue for the UK as it is for the USA right now, but national debt is not a problem if kept at a relatively consistent level - the US debt is around 4% of GDP while some countries have upwards of 50% of GDP debt. its just a matter of keeping the lid on it (or at least that's what i learned from 5 years of economics)

Corporate welfare: i assume this refers to bailing out and aiding large firms. only necessary for companies that are integral parts of the economy (such as banks, power stations, firms like Unilever (UK - if still based in Uk?) or Microsoft (USA)). and even then only when necessary.

Poverty: More welfare state.

Democracy: good. (lazy answer). shouldn't necissarily be forced on the rest of the world by the US.

Free-trade: If it was free, it'd be called stealing. A stupid word for something that doesn't really even happen.
Globalism: Inevitable, so prepare. History shows human borders are shifty things.
Equal Rights: The Golden Rule works wonders. That and, if you don't believe in it, don't do it. Though the challange is to overcome human's tendency to regard anyone or anything outside thier "social" norm with suspision and fear.
Other Social Policies: Less laws on what people do, more enforcement to make people responsible for thier actiong. (Like- repeal drug laws, enforce punishment for actions committed while taking the drugs.)
Domestic Economic Policy: It'd be nice to HAVE one...
National Debt: I don't get to spend beyond my means, neither should the government.
Corporate "Welfare:" Absolutely not. Either your buisness is sound and survives or it dies with merciful speed. Especially big farm subsidies. What a waste of MY tax dollars.
EXCEPTION- Buisnesses supplying a required or basic human need, like health care, I support socializing. Still tossed about car insurance since many states won't allow you to register without insurance- and the insurance companies rip you through the wallet because of it.

I don't really have positions on the issues when they are that broad. If there are specfifc situations, then I address them, but broad things like that don't work out well for me.

Free-trade/Globalism: Against 'free-trade' but pro-globalisation. That means no exploiting developing nations.
Equal Rights: Everyone is born equal and should be entitled to equal rights.
Other Social Policies: I'm against cash hand-outs, but strongly believe people should be entitled to all they need for a good start in life. Free healthcare, free education and benefits for the elderly.
Domestic Economic Policy: Nationalisation of key industries and public services.
National Debt: Cut it out.
Corporate "Welfare:" Public sector companies need to be entitled to cross-subsidies to protect loss-making services such as public transport.

My own opinions on each of these ...

Free-trade/Globalism: Globalism is inevitable, as is free-trade. More control over the process to help people adjust would be good.

Equal Rights: Hold a mirror under their nose, if they fog it up, they're entitled to equal protection under the law. If the laws discriminate, change 'em.

Other Social Policies: Can't think of any others just now ... more later.

Domestic Economic Policy: Balance the budget, reduce the deficit, promote new business creation. Flat tax with no exemptions, no deductions, same percentage for any and all sources of income.

National Debt: Eliminate as soon as possible!

Corporate "Welfare:" Except in extreme circumstances ( eg., thousands thrown out of work ) eliminate it.
Ditto. Well, for the most part.

These views are subject to change. But currently...

Free-trade/Globalism: No. Each country has to protect its own economy. Tariffs help the individual country. If that's what you're talking about.
Equal Rights: Yes. Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No rights beyond that, no rights less than that. These rights belong to individuals, not groups. The government's only job is to protect these rights.
Other Social Policies:Gay marriage needs to be legalized. Drugs need to be legalized but restricted, i.e., no driving under the influence is a GOOD policy. Abortion needs to remain legal.
Domestic Economic Policy: :headbang: is all I really have to say about that.
National Debt: No idea, to be honest.
Corporate "Welfare:" Welfare? Not a big fan. I know a guy in CA who is able to work but is unwilling. However, because he attempted suicide a couple years ago, he's allowed to live off of welfare. He's better now. He just doesn't wanna work. I don't think people need to be forced to help other people, thus it's unfair to take welfare money out of taxes. Kids need to be taken out of homes so impoverished that they cannot provide for their families. Maybe the sting will be enough to make the parents get off their asses, or, if it really is just a matter of not having the money, having to provide for even just one less mouth has got to help with saving.

I have a feeling I'm gonna be attacked. Woo!

Free-trade/Globalism: I support Fair Trade, not Free Trade and globalism that respects human rights, and the environment.

Equal rights: We still have to work on this one....women still don't earn the same as men, and in most of the world do not have near the freedom of men.

Other social policies: they all need to be cleaned up, meaning more citizen participation, rather than being privatised.

Domestic Economic Policy: Canada is joined too tightly with the U.S...when Bush farts, we smell it. We need to be more self-reliant, and not jump on the bandwagon of nations who feel free to rape the resources of other countries.

National Debt: Smoke and mirrors...and government stupidity...I mean, $120 for a bolt? Someone needs to keep a closer eye on government corruption instead of using our debt as an excuse to privatise everything.

Corporate welfare: tax breaks gotta come from somewhere, and I'm sick of them coming from my pocket to line the pockets of corporate bigwigs instead of going towards filling in the potholes in my town. The Royal Bank made a billion dollars in profit one year and paid $1 in taxes. I made $32,000 that year and paid $14, 575 in taxes. Curses.

Poverty: The vast majority of people aren't poor because they're lazy...they're poor because the system is set up with inherent inequalities, making the American or Canadian or whatever Dream a big, fat lie. Hard work doesn't make you rich, otherwise janitors would be billionaires...being the biggest thieving. lying bastard makes you rich...or Prime Minister.

Democracy: To most just means voting every couple of years...or thinking about voting but not actually getting off the couch to do it. End of story. Representative democracy is a crock of sh*t. People need to take more control over the policies that affect them. *smells revolution in the air*

As above, but with Britain instead of Canada.

Free-trade/Globalism: Against. It is all about money and power. Down with sweatshops.

Equal Rights: Absolutely. There is no good reason to be prejudiced. We need to catch prejudiced attitudes in ourselves and deal with them.

Other Social Policies: All laws against sodomy need to be abolished and their creators forced to watch hentai. Gay marriage, prostitution, and marihuana should definitely be legalized. The US is midiævil compared to most 1st world countries in that regard.

Domestic Economic Policy: Communism is the only solution. The economy must be restructured to benefit everyone rather than just the rich. Right now, you aren't even guaranteed health care.

National Debt: See above. If money were abolished and replaced by directly democratic federations and the like, national debt would disappear.

Corporate "Welfare:" They're the ones going on about how great the invisible hand is. I don't understand how they can seriously ask for handouts while complaining about welfare for the poor.

Democracy: Doesn't go far enough. Government is inherently coersive and should be abolished.

Free-trade/Globalism: I think that free trade is fine because it helps the third world nurture its own businesses. But I don't like cultural globalisation and sweatshops/exploitation.

Equal Rights: Everyone should have them.

Other Social Policies: Governments should stop trying to babysit their adult populations. Drugs, gay rights, prostitution, etc. should be legalised.

Domestic Economic Policy: There should be a degree of social welfare so that people are kept above the poverty line, but no more. The ogvernment needs to spend more money on education, health, and environmental protection.

Corporate Welfare: I think it is generally a waste of government money. If you're a private company you should be able to function without governent subsidies. For this reason I think essential services such as water and electricity should remain under state ownership. Privatise the postal service!

Free-trade/Globalism: Globalism will occur - we need to make sure that companies don't benefit by exploiting the poor in third-world countries. Trade should be mostly free, with at least a few restrictions.

Equal Rights: All human beings are entitled to equal treatment under the law. Period.

Domestic Economic Policy: The government should be fairly hands-off, but should regulate companies to keep them from exploiting employees/people. Taxes should be lowered, but *only* if government spending is reduced. There should be less loopholes. For instance, there shouldn't be a cap over which you are no longer taxed. If you make the money, it is taxable.

National Debt: The government needs to learn a valuable lesson that most people learn in college, if not before: IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY: DON'T SPEND IT. Only emergency situations warrant over-spending.

Welfare: Welfare should be what it was intended to be: A temporary fix. People sometimes need help to get back on their feet - and often have nowhere to turn. However, it should be geared more towards job training than simply handing someone a check once a month. Anyone not actively working to get a job (unless they are unable to do so), they should be cut off from benefits.

"Corporate" welfare: Same as Eutrusca. Unless half the country is going to be out of work otherwise, none at all.

Feel free to add others you think are important.

health care:

school privatization:

Patriot act:

Iraq war:

Immigration:

Abortion Rigths:

Gun control:

Gay marriage:

Overcrowded Jails:

lagalization MariJ:

mp3 sharing:

health care: over prized(US)

school privatization: lets try that

Patriot act: bad

Iraq war: bad

Immigration: we need them anyways

Abortion Rigths: neutral (let the polls decide)

Gun control: not sure (let the polls decide)

Gay marriage: not sure (let the polls decide)

Overcrowded Jails: bring on singapure canning

lagalization MariJ: absolutely

mp3 sharing: its like radio.

Free-trade/Globalism: lets try that

Equal Rights: absolutely

Domestic Economic Policy: Bush Gov is too big.

National Debt: pay up! punk

Welfare: in some countries its overkill, not in the US

"Corporate" welfare: sux

Health care: Free health care for life-threatening illnesses/accidents but only when there is no other option except the government.

School privatization: Whatever works.

Patriot act: Necessary, but only in effect until no longer needed.

Iraq war: Regrettable, but necessary.

Immigration: Put on the brakes, but judiciously.

Abortion Rigths: Necessary but distasteful in the extreme.

Gun control: No. What we have now works just fine. Concealed carry laws which are stringent in any State should be recognized by any other State.

Gay marriage: Non-issue for me. If gays want to get married, why not?

Overcrowded Jails: Build more jails and work like hell on effective rehabilitation programs.

lagalization MariJ: No.

mp3 sharing: ( Shrug )

Free-trade/Globalism: So long as I'm in the country that's using these to exploit people I like it.
Equal Rights: Rights aren't real. As long as people realize that when they fight for rights they steal power from others its okay.
Other Social Policies: I'm not a social person.
Domestic Economic Policy: Do what works, not what your ideology says.
National Debt: If we can avoid ever paying it, its good. Otherwise, its pretty stupid, and in the thrid world it puts countries in the west's pocket.
Corporate "Welfare:" If they really provide it, good for them. Do they need it themselves? NO!

Free-trade/Globalism: Fair Trade, great! Free Trade, NO! Globalism is essential.

Equal Rights: For everyone ... even "enemy combatants".

Other Social Policies: Oh, the usual ... gay marriage, great! equal pay, great! affirmative action, great! etc etc

Domestic Economic Policy: I believe in taxation. I believe in communal responsibility. I believe in distribution of wealth.

National Debt: It's alarming. I don't have a plan to fix it.

Corporate "Welfare:" Should not exist. Corporations, while made up of people, are not people in and of themselves.

school privatization: Kinda stupid. That would probably hurt everyone.

Patriot act: Unless I get the ability to decide who's jailed, I don't like it. I'm probably on their list.

Iraq war: It failed. Let's work on using assasination next time.

Immigration: Let the Indians in. They will bring new jobs to more than compensate the jobs tehy take while they're in India.

Abortion Rigths: Killing should be a right anyways, and before its even a sentient being there's no question.

Gun control: If I can get a gun I don't mind others having them. I just want a better one. The constitution doesn't protect gun rights, however, unless there's no US army at all.

Gay marriage: Why not? I seriously mean that.

Overcrowded Jails: It could get me out. Someone does need to solve the problem, though.

lagalization MariJ:If you know what drugs do to you (warning labels, etc) then why not?

mp3 sharing:Theft without seeing those you steal from? Cool.

health care: Should be free.

school privatization: Not only no, but absofuckinlutely no.

Patriot act: The drafters of this document should be imprisoned for treason.

Iraq war: My generation's Vietnam. Huzzah. History will not look kindly on it. It should have never happened.

Immigration: Relaxed.

Abortion Rigths: Immutable choice.

Gun control: Should be tighter than Jenna Jameson at a cucumber expo.

Gay marriage: Should be 100% allowed.

Overcrowded Jails: End the War on Drugs. Release all prisoners who are serving sentences for cultivation, possession for personal use, or for selling to adults.

legalization MariJ: Same restrictions as tobacco.

mp3 sharing: Got no problem with it.

health care: Everyone should be entitled to it, but if you can pay for better, then you should be able to get better.

school privatization: Yes and no....it's....iffy.

Patriot act: A necesary evil for now.

Iraq war: Support the war effort, but not the way the war was carried out. I'm for getting mad dictator out of power, but against massive violence. But hey, it's a war, what do you expect.

Immigration: Tolerable, in moderation.

Abortion Rigths: Only in cases harmful to the mother, or rape, or where mother may be too young. What the hell is wrong with giving birth and then giving the child away for adoption?

Gun control: The system we have now works fine.

Gay marriage: Gay marriage, no. Gay civil unions where they have all rights a married couple has, yes.

Overcrowded Jails: Could buold more, but that would require money...

lagalization MariJ: Medical purpouses.

mp3 sharing: ? Non-issue for me.