P&N age, and political beliefs thread

[jackschmittusa]

I'm 56 and always believed judging issues on merit. Freedom and choice are my general guidelines.

I don't much care if people want to be prostitutes, use drugs or own guns. Gays are people too, and women should have control over their bodies. Some enviornmental ideas are worthwhile, while others are too far out there to be practical. The welfare system was broken for 3 generations. I believe that going to war should only be in self-defense, but then, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. Once commited, victory should be swift and sure. The polititicians should establish clear stratigic goals at the outset, and let the military work out the tactics. My personal opinion of religion is that it is a joke; just old fables and morality tales that served well when people believed magic. I consider myself to be an honorable man, guided by ethical principles well regarded by people anywhere. It is unnessary to subscribe to a religion to be a good person.

Possibly the biggest single change in my outlook over the years was for my hawkishness during Viet Nam has mellowed somewhat over the years. I did subscribe to the "domino theory" (which proved to be fallable), and had too much trust in our government.

I believe that our greatness derived from being a "producer" nation, and is in decline as we move evermore to becoming a "consumer" nation. Trade deficits as large as ours should be a red flag.

Large federal deficits leave the country vulnerable to economic forces beyond our control, and should be avoided.

Live and let live!

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: EatSpam
I'm 26.

I'm mostly socially liberal. I support gay marriage, decriminalization of marijuana, sex ed in schools, OTC birth control, etc. However, I don't like abortion and would like to see it wiped out in a wave of great sex ed and universal availability of birth control. I support a social safety net with the principal of "teaching a man to fish." If someone is going to school and making progress towards a degree, society should support them, if needed, so they won't need assistance once educated.

Fiscally, I lean conservative. I believe our goal should be a zero, or near zero deficit and a balanced budget. I support a balanced budget amendment with a requirement of a "rainy day fund" for disasters. I don't support our policy of financing wars on Chinese credit. I also believe that our trade gap should be near zero. If any of those means a rise in taxes, so be it, but it would be better to gut military/corporate pork, first.

I only support purely defensive wars, never preemptive.

Edit: I should add that I'm very much against illegal immigration, large scale amnesty/guestworker programs, and am opposed to H1-B/L-1 foreign labor visas. Educate and employ Americans first, even if it might cost a little more.

I'm double your age plus one year and ditto on all the above.

We are a dying breed. Either you are a rich Republican or die.

Not sure how they expect to survive once all the peasants die off.

 

[Moonbeam]

"I'm 22 years old and an anarcho-capitalist. The ideology that best describes me is paleo-libertarian sans natural law.."

This makes me giggle. 🙂

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

40
99.002% Left leaning, tree hugging liberal, who is in favor of the death penalty.

 

[KGB]

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: EatSpam
I'm 26.

I'm mostly socially liberal. I support gay marriage, decriminalization of marijuana, sex ed in schools, OTC birth control, etc. However, I don't like abortion and would like to see it wiped out in a wave of great sex ed and universal availability of birth control. I support a social safety net with the principal of "teaching a man to fish." If someone is going to school and making progress towards a degree, society should support them, if needed, so they won't need assistance once educated.

Fiscally, I lean conservative. I believe our goal should be a zero, or near zero deficit and a balanced budget. I support a balanced budget amendment with a requirement of a "rainy day fund" for disasters. I don't support our policy of financing wars on Chinese credit. I also believe that our trade gap should be near zero. If any of those means a rise in taxes, so be it, but it would be better to gut military/corporate pork, first.

I only support purely defensive wars, never preemptive.

Edit: I should add that I'm very much against illegal immigration, large scale amnesty/guestworker programs, and am opposed to H1-B/L-1 foreign labor visas. Educate and employ Americans first, even if it might cost a little more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I'm double your age plus one year and ditto on all the above.

We are a dying breed. Either you are a rich Republican or die.

Not sure how they expect to survive once all the peasants die off.


I'm 47 and pretty much agree with Dave.

 

[daveshel]

Originally posted by: KGBMAN
quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: EatSpam
I'm 26.

I'm mostly socially liberal. I support gay marriage, decriminalization of marijuana, sex ed in schools, OTC birth control, etc. However, I don't like abortion and would like to see it wiped out in a wave of great sex ed and universal availability of birth control. I support a social safety net with the principal of "teaching a man to fish." If someone is going to school and making progress towards a degree, society should support them, if needed, so they won't need assistance once educated.

Fiscally, I lean conservative. I believe our goal should be a zero, or near zero deficit and a balanced budget. I support a balanced budget amendment with a requirement of a "rainy day fund" for disasters. I don't support our policy of financing wars on Chinese credit. I also believe that our trade gap should be near zero. If any of those means a rise in taxes, so be it, but it would be better to gut military/corporate pork, first.

I only support purely defensive wars, never preemptive.

Edit: I should add that I'm very much against illegal immigration, large scale amnesty/guestworker programs, and am opposed to H1-B/L-1 foreign labor visas. Educate and employ Americans first, even if it might cost a little more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I'm double your age plus one year and ditto on all the above.

We are a dying breed. Either you are a rich Republican or die.

Not sure how they expect to survive once all the peasants die off.


I'm 47 and pretty much agree with Dave.

49 and I'll join you.

 

[FuzzyBee]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
We are a dying breed. Either you are a rich Republican or die.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

*Of course*, there are no rich Democrats, right? You are amusing in your naivety.

 

[CycloWizard]

I'm 25, socially conservative, and slightly fiscally liberal. Grew up in Indiana until 18, then to Ohio until 23, now in Missouri.

 

[BlancoNino]

20

Hard-core extremist pedestrian.

 

[magomago]

20, Socially Conservative, and fiscally slightly to the right~ Grew up in colorado till 14, and been hanging out since then in California

 

[Tab]

I am currently 19 and will be 20 in March. I am very socially liberal and somewhat fiscally conservative, if anything I am becoming more solid in my social standings and a little more fiscally conservative.

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: Stunt
The older crowd (50+) will be pro state, pro-social safety net and will support military efforts abroad.

I fit that mold, all right. I'm 64, and I support a strong, honest military capable of defending our national interests. I also know the entire Bushwhacko military agenda is corrupt and inept. Anyone who considers themself to be "conservative" should understand that taking a nation into a war costing thousands of lives and trillions of dollars (that's terra-bucks!), all based on lies, is hardly "conservative." In fact, it's radical, and it's dead ass wrong.

I support a strong social safety net. I'm also in favor of every individual having the opportunity to succeed and to obtain great wealth, as long as what they do to get it is ethical and provides value for the wealth they receive. It's the principle of doing well by doing good.

However, there is NO excuse for allowing so much needless pain and suffering among the poor when corporate scoundrels are paying themselves millions per year to plan and carry out corporate greed and outright fraud. How many villas, lavish parties and multi-thousand dollar shower curtains does one person need when there are thousands in poverty suffeting hunger, disease and homelessness and millions with no means to get an inadequate education? What excuse is there for the Enrons, Haliburtons, Global Crossings, Tycos, etc.?

I'm also opposed to the chaos and confusion in the administration's lame, gutless medical program. Just read the headlines, every day, about how many seniors have been cut off from their meds due to the mass confusion in the new Medicare law. I also refused to renew my membership in AARP because they sold us out when they supported this POS.

 

[CaptnKirk]

Hair: yes
Eyes: two
Sex: occasionally
Age: 62
Warmonger Extraordinare

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: daveshel

Originally posted by: KGBMAN
quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: EatSpam
I'm 26.

I'm mostly socially liberal. I support gay marriage, decriminalization of marijuana, sex ed in schools, OTC birth control, etc. However, I don't like abortion and would like to see it wiped out in a wave of great sex ed and universal availability of birth control. I support a social safety net with the principal of "teaching a man to fish." If someone is going to school and making progress towards a degree, society should support them, if needed, so they won't need assistance once educated.

Fiscally, I lean conservative. I believe our goal should be a zero, or near zero deficit and a balanced budget. I support a balanced budget amendment with a requirement of a "rainy day fund" for disasters. I don't support our policy of financing wars on Chinese credit. I also believe that our trade gap should be near zero. If any of those means a rise in taxes, so be it, but it would be better to gut military/corporate pork, first.

I only support purely defensive wars, never preemptive.

Edit: I should add that I'm very much against illegal immigration, large scale amnesty/guestworker programs, and am opposed to H1-B/L-1 foreign labor visas. Educate and employ Americans first, even if it might cost a little more.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I'm double your age plus one year and ditto on all the above.

We are a dying breed. Either you are a rich Republican or die.

Not sure how they expect to survive once all the peasants die off.


I'm 47 and pretty much agree with Dave.

49 and I'll join you.

Wow, I'm in good company with my beliefs. Guess I'm not so out there after all! 🙂

 

[Corn]

I'm 40 and pretty much am annoyed equally by the extreme right wing, left wing pansies, and the Mcowen and Conjur bag of mixed nuts. Whatever I is, I ain't moderate.

 

[Zebo]

I'm 34 ..used to be hard core right wing in college. Even became treasurer of college republicans. I got married at 25 started to lighten up and learn to see both sides of issues..you have to if you want to stay married😀 anyway.. I still fall in-line with old right, paleoconservatives, on most issues don't even reognize modern neo-cons but am extremely liberal when it comes to personal freedoms and helping those in need. I don't mean helping for free though like current system has done for 50 years but with signifigant strings attached. Like work - scrubbing graphitti whatever.

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: Zebo
I'm 34 ..used to be hard core right wing in college. Even became treasurer of college republicans. I got married at 25 started to lighten up and learn to see both sides of issues..you have to if you want to stay married😀 anyway.. I still fall in-line with old right, paleoconservatives, on most issues don't even reognize modern neo-cons but am extremely liberal when it comes to personal freedoms and helping those in need. I don't mean helping for free though like current system has done for 50 years but with signifigant strings attached. Like work - scrubbing graphitti whatever.

^ Libertarian 🙂

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: ntdz

Originally posted by: Zebo
I'm 34 ..used to be hard core right wing in college. Even became treasurer of college republicans. I got married at 25 started to lighten up and learn to see both sides of issues..you have to if you want to stay married😀 anyway.. I still fall in-line with old right, paleoconservatives, on most issues don't even reognize modern neo-cons but am extremely liberal when it comes to personal freedoms and helping those in need. I don't mean helping for free though like current system has done for 50 years but with signifigant strings attached. Like work - scrubbing graphitti whatever.

^ Libertarian 🙂

Mostly true but my tax ideas get me in trouble with that crowd. I don't think there should be any income tax or very little because it was earned though sweat and tears. You're a producer, why penalize you for production? Just seems immoral and unjust to me. Inheritance OTOH should be taxed to the max because it was free, given. Or at the very least taxed like earned income. I stand to inherit eight figures and still feel this way.

 

[makken]

20 and um... apathetic.

i confess, i'm just here for the flame wars =]

 

[BlancoNino]

Mostly true but my tax ideas get me in trouble with that crowd. I don't think there should be any income tax or very little because it was earned though sweat and tears. You're a producer, why penalize you for production? Just seems immoral and unjust to me. Inheritance OTOH should be taxed to the max because it was free, given. Or at the very least taxed like earned income. I stand to inherit eight figures and still feel this way.

At least you're willing to pay what you believe should be taxed. Ted Kennedy believes in a pretty high tax rate yet makes sure his wealth isn't taxed a damn penny.

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: kogase
Economically I don't really know what I'm talking about, so I won't even bother.

I find your honesty admirable and refreshing. Many others here don't let their ignorance on a subject stand in the way of speaking on that subject at length. That being said, economics is important, and a basic understanding of it is crucial. I read "The Economic Way of Thinking" by Paul Heyne several years ago and found it a useful introduction to basic econ. You might want to check it out - your local library probably has it in stock, so it won't cost you any $$ to give it a read.

 

[RichardE]

Far left wing on all issues and authoritarian

(at least according to that political landscape questionaire)

Im still not sure to be honest, though I am slowly finding myself 🙂

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: ntdz

Originally posted by: Zebo
I'm 34 ..used to be hard core right wing in college. Even became treasurer of college republicans. I got married at 25 started to lighten up and learn to see both sides of issues..you have to if you want to stay married😀 anyway.. I still fall in-line with old right, paleoconservatives, on most issues don't even reognize modern neo-cons but am extremely liberal when it comes to personal freedoms and helping those in need. I don't mean helping for free though like current system has done for 50 years but with signifigant strings attached. Like work - scrubbing graphitti whatever.

^ Libertarian 🙂

Mostly true but my tax ideas get me in trouble with that crowd. I don't think there should be any income tax or very little because it was earned though sweat and tears. You're a producer, why penalize you for production? Just seems immoral and unjust to me. Inheritance OTOH should be taxed to the max because it was free, given. Or at the very least taxed like earned income. I stand to inherit eight figures and still feel this way.

I don't really agree with that...I think income should be taxed when you earn it, and no more tax after than, including death tax.

 

[HombrePequeno]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: ntdz

Originally posted by: Zebo
I'm 34 ..used to be hard core right wing in college. Even became treasurer of college republicans. I got married at 25 started to lighten up and learn to see both sides of issues..you have to if you want to stay married😀 anyway.. I still fall in-line with old right, paleoconservatives, on most issues don't even reognize modern neo-cons but am extremely liberal when it comes to personal freedoms and helping those in need. I don't mean helping for free though like current system has done for 50 years but with signifigant strings attached. Like work - scrubbing graphitti whatever.

^ Libertarian 🙂

Mostly true but my tax ideas get me in trouble with that crowd. I don't think there should be any income tax or very little because it was earned though sweat and tears. You're a producer, why penalize you for production? Just seems immoral and unjust to me. Inheritance OTOH should be taxed to the max because it was free, given. Or at the very least taxed like earned income. I stand to inherit eight figures and still feel this way.

I kind of agree with that. I think inheritance should be taxed quite a bit unless it's going to a charity. There'd obviously have to be exceptions to that like family farms and whatnot. I think businesses should not be taxed at nearly such a high rate. That leaves less money for growth and a rainy day.

I'm fine with income taxes at the moment. If there's another solution that isn't regressive (and possibly encourage more saving), I'm all for it. There are quite a few things wrong with our current tax code. People get a nice tax break around $90,000 because of SS. I'm not necessarily saying the cap needs to be taken out though. The AMT needs to either be taken out or highly modified. At the very least it needs to be pegged to inflation. It's already affecting way too many people in the middle class. Having the tax code more simplified would be nice too. There are way too many deductions currently that are only there to cater to lobbyists.

 

[imported_Condor]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: EatSpam
I'm 26.

I'm mostly socially liberal. I support gay marriage, decriminalization of marijuana, sex ed in schools, OTC birth control, etc. However, I don't like abortion and would like to see it wiped out in a wave of great sex ed and universal availability of birth control. I support a social safety net with the principal of "teaching a man to fish." If someone is going to school and making progress towards a degree, society should support them, if needed, so they won't need assistance once educated.

Fiscally, I lean conservative. I believe our goal should be a zero, or near zero deficit and a balanced budget. I support a balanced budget amendment with a requirement of a "rainy day fund" for disasters. I don't support our policy of financing wars on Chinese credit. I also believe that our trade gap should be near zero. If any of those means a rise in taxes, so be it, but it would be better to gut military/corporate pork, first.

I only support purely defensive wars, never preemptive.

Edit: I should add that I'm very much against illegal immigration, large scale amnesty/guestworker programs, and am opposed to H1-B/L-1 foreign labor visas. Educate and employ Americans first, even if it might cost a little more.

I'm double your age plus one year and ditto on all the above.

We are a dying breed. Either you are a rich Republican or die.

Not sure how they expect to survive once all the peasants die off.

Since republicans are the working peasants and liberals are a load on the economy, I see no problem.