I am a center kind of guy. An independent, who leans slightly to the left, but is aware that the right do bring some reasonable points to the table. I am the ultimate compromiser, because if you are unable to compromise on some of the things you believe, you are not going to get anything you want, that’s a fact folks. Yeh, you may die knowing that you did not compromise your stance one jot..bravo, good for you, but as far as your chance to influence history goes you achieved nothing, except blowing your smelly hot air on the rest of us. ‘Cutting off your nose to spite your face’ as the saying goes. I think there may be much nose mutilation going on in the halls of the US Congress presently.
This page is not a place to record my meaty arguments about US politics (or maybe it is actually), but lays out a personal ‘manifesto’ if you like on the main issues of the day and my stance on such things. What I would say however is that opinions evolve and sometimes change over time, so I am open to changing my views on certain issues if the counter arguments convince me otherwise. Let me also state I am not a politician, but I am a concerned and perhaps ‘vocal’ bystander who likes a good friendly debate. So let me share my pearls of wisdom which will likely save the nation and indeed the world (I taught James Bond everything he knows).
Health Care: Being from a nation which has socialized health care (fully supported by the British Conservative Party by the way!) I am pro universal health care, by which I mean all the medical services are provided by the state and/or non-profit organisations. I do believe there is a place for private investors, but they should be confined to hospital infrastructure and non-medical hospital services which could still be quite a viable business venture. With regard to the current status quo, I believe that if you are paying for health insurance, it should cover all the medical costs, without restriction and there should not be any of this co-pay nonsense. My only exemption to that may be for self-inflicted illness for things like smoking and alcohol abuse, but my jury is still out on that particular point. The bottom line though is that profit should not be made on the back of the sick and dying, it’s just a moral no, no, except in the US it seems.
Economy and National debt: This is a biggy and not my strongest suit, but here goes. I believe it is the responsiblity of both the government and Wall Street to jointly address growth and the debt at the same time. Closer cooperation between the two parties would surely help to get to a consensus on how to tackle the nations financial woes. Government needs to constantly keep the size of itself as lean as possible, it should always strive to cut unnecessary spending but also increase revenues by taxing those happy high earners until the economy recovers. Wall street/corporate business needs to become more morally responsible to its customer base and by paying back in full any federal bail outs, and withhold those large executive bonuses at least for a set period until recovery occurs. I don’t think its wise to tackle the Debt in a recession and we should instead wait until the country is in suitable recovery and growing once more.
Capitalism v Socialism: I like both and both contribute to different areas of society in equal measure. My only caveat on capitalism is that it should be well-regulated by an independent body in favor of the consumer. But lets keep corporate taxes low so to attract extra business into the US. It seems to me that Republicans like to put socialism on par with communism decrying the micro management of government in people’s lives to the extreme, contra to the US Constitution. however, this argument just does not add up for me. I mean if you want to trickle all the power down to the States, is that not just spreading the problem across 50 different governments who then devise 50 different ways to implement that power? This is the United States not the Divided States and some things really do need to be controlled at a federal level. If driving laws and requirements were controlled at a federal level, not only would it set a national standard, but likely be cheaper to run one system and cheaper for the public. We are surrounded with socialist ideas and programs at Federal, State and local level, but it’s not throwing us into the jaws of communism, far from it. Republicans want to retain and reform welfare, Medicaid and medicare. Are these not social programs? Socialism is not a bad thing, but like everything it has to be regulated to avoid abuse and sensible restraint by government is key.
Welfare: I believe it is a moral duty of this nation to help struggling families and the poor. However, I also believe in strong background checks to ensure those who are receiving welfare actually deserve and need it. The minority who cheat the system only hurt the majority who have a legitimate need for welfare assistance. These cheats should expect loss of benefits and criminal action and I wish politicians would target and pursue specific welfare cheats instead of taking the easier route and changing the whole system in order to catch the few. This approach ‘may’ get the few but will often also wrongly penalize those genuine welfare cases.
Immigration: As an immigrant of Permanent Resident Status (Green Card) I can tell you that the legal US immigration procedures are pretty robust, with little to no cost to the US taxpayer. However the illegal immigrant issue is a biggy! Firstly I am for a federally funded border fence running along the whole US/Mexico border, complete with extra border patrol (a good way to create some worthwhile federal jobs) to man it. This must be done before we then tackle the next issue of the approx 11 million illegal persons already in the US. So clearly to round-up and deport 11 million people would be practically impossible. therefore an amnesty must be given in return for Permanent Resident Status (there has to be an instentive for them to comply with the amnesty), but not citizenship, unless you serve in the US military. Now of course there could be knock on issues with this amnesty not least welfare rights and health cover, but like I say I haven’t all the answers…yet!
Defense: As I am ex military myself, I am a big believer in a strong, efficient and accountable defense structure. Of course war or armed conflict is ‘the’ last resort, but the reality of the world dictates that when required our defense posture should be strong and robust. There are clearly just plain evil regimes and governments out there who are corrupt and oppressing their citizens at the drop of a hat. I also know from experience that defense departments waste huge amounts of tax money and there should rightly be sensible cuts but that do not affect military operations. The US like it or not has the most powerful armed forces in the world and by default are often seen as the world police. As a moral country we should fight oppressive regimes when we are able, no we cannot commit to all areas of concern but the military should never have to make do when they do put their lives in harm’s way in the name of the United States. Defense cuts – yes, but in moderation.
Nuclear: Well once something has been invented then that cannot be undone. As the first nuclear nation, the US has the responsiblity to regulate the possessing of nuclear weapons around the world, (more so the countries who wish to have it as opposed to those who already have it) and should do all that it can to limit nuclear power to civil uses only. Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, but trying to stop them is difficult. I am a big advocate of as much ‘behind enemy lines’ sabotage as possible via Intelligence Services, Special Forces and infecting computer software vital to their nuclear program. military action would I think be a waste of pennies.
Religion: Although not particularly religious myself, I acknowledge that local churches do great work in local communities helping the needy and giving a spiritual path for those who need it. Indeed from time to time I find myself in church, and I always ensure that I respect the customs and practices of their religion. However, there is absolutely no place for religion when governing a country. Mainstream religion should concern itself only with its congregation and local community. Federal government is there to represent all the nations Peoples regardless of religion, background or lifestyle. Separation of Church and State is a founding principle of this country and yet it seems to be trying to influence policy at every turn. Religion is supposed to be tolerant and loving, but their ain’t much love going around here currently, instead they are trying to moralize over their fellow citizens who just happen to have a different take on things. Churches do your good stuff but as you wish government to maintain your religious freedoms, please respect my freedoms.
Equality of Women: Really, are we still here? Equal pay and equal rights is something that should have been standardised decades ago. Politicians get on this and get it done like yesterday!
Gay Marriage: Seems this country struggles with equality of any sort. civil rights, womens rights, gay rights, and it goes on. So behind the times and unfortunately it’s opposition seems to come from the religious right. It’s like they ‘own’ marriage. News flash you dont!!!How can the most charitable country in the world, not treat all its Peoples with respect and tolerance? I support gay marriage and while we are at it gay parenting. It’s a different world people!
Pro Life v Pro choice: A woman’s body is her own and it is her alone that decides what should happen to it. Now of course abortion should not be a ‘routine’ procedure resulting from a poor judgement call for the sake of a few minutes of thrill seeking, however, how can there be any argument that an abortion not be a viable and acceptable option in cases of rape or incest (or both)? I am pro-choice.
Death Penalty: Of course most of those who are pro-life, are also pro death..how does that work? I used to be for the death penalty, however I have ‘flip flopped’ on this due to the number of errors in the practice, usually after the fact as a result of new DNA evidence not being available before. It is just not acceptable to put someone to death in error, in a modern democratic justice system. I also believe that it is an easy way out particularly for those evil and twisted convicts who should suffer their internment without ever experiencing the sense of freedom again, which I think is a far more fitting punishment.
US Supreme Court: We must as a nation, assume that all the supreme judges are professional, understand the heavy responsiblity they possess and base all their decisions on the legal arguments and not their personal political beliefs. Their decisions should be respected by all as final and binding, although there should always be an opportunity to appeal their findings if arguments can be presented which bring new questions on the original decision.
Congress: Congress is in dire straits and should be broken up and started again, without a 60 vote majority or filibuster in the mix.
The Executive: Regardless of policy differences, the Office of the President, and the President himself should be treated with the respect the office deserves. I see little respect for the head of state and the Commander in Chief, and that just don’t wash in my little world. You can disagree with others as much as you like, but being polite and respectful costs nothing. You can still be proud of the Office and for all it stands, if not the individual.
An Englishman in New Jersey 