I am open to voting either for moderate republican or democratic candidates interested in solving the issues rather than imposing their ideology. Generally I favor democrat positions on issues such as banking/wall street regulation; including short term higher income taxes on Americans most able to afford it, restructuring entitlement programs and scrutinizing military spending to reduce the federal deficit; stem cell research, and abortion. I generally favor republican positions on issues such as keeping corporate/individual taxes low; reducing the size of federal government and returning more control to state and local government with federal regulation to ensure inter-state commerce or human rights are not violated; and constitutionally requiring the federal government to work within a balanced budget.
I'm afraid this country is being manipulated by the extreme wings of both political parties. And both political party extremes scare the Hell out of me!
Examples include the extreme right wing conservatives opposition to banking/wall street regulations; stem cell research, birth control, full disclosure sex education, and outlawing abortions under almost any circumstances; requiring individuals to be solely responsible for themselves and relying on faith based charities as safety nets; opposing universal health care (though many Americans can't afford health insurance), and promoting individual states health care without federal regulation; ignoring the majority of earth's scientific community regarding global warming long term consequences; excessive military spending and "nation building principles; relying too heavily on an oil based economy; ostracizing gays for their differences with a "that can be cured" mentality; supporting a costly and useless Cuba/American embargo; lack of individual gun control for even the most lethal weapons; and their extreme position on immigration.
Examples of extreme left wing liberals include promoting federal programs to solve all problems including protecting people from themselves and businesses; too many costly/ineffective business regulations; indefinite welfare programs; emphasizing "right-to-work: union control; short term environmental concerns at the expense of business and jobs growth; denial of federal deficit consequences; and opposition to reducing the size of federal government.
Now if I can only find a candidate expressing most of these views and willing to compromise to solve issues for the country as a whole. I'll certainly be listening very closely between now and November. But I'm also going to listen very closely to the congressional candidates in my district for the same kind of input on the issues I care about. It's a shame more voters don't consider using a similar approach.
I'm afraid this country is being manipulated by the extreme wings of both political parties. And both political party extremes scare the Hell out of me!
Examples include the extreme right wing conservatives opposition to banking/wall street regulations; stem cell research, birth control, full disclosure sex education, and outlawing abortions under almost any circumstances; requiring individuals to be solely responsible for themselves and relying on faith based charities as safety nets; opposing universal health care (though many Americans can't afford health insurance), and promoting individual states health care without federal regulation; ignoring the majority of earth's scientific community regarding global warming long term consequences; excessive military spending and "nation building principles; relying too heavily on an oil based economy; ostracizing gays for their differences with a "that can be cured" mentality; supporting a costly and useless Cuba/American embargo; lack of individual gun control for even the most lethal weapons; and their extreme position on immigration.
Examples of extreme left wing liberals include promoting federal programs to solve all problems including protecting people from themselves and businesses; too many costly/ineffective business regulations; indefinite welfare programs; emphasizing "right-to-work: union control; short term environmental concerns at the expense of business and jobs growth; denial of federal deficit consequences; and opposition to reducing the size of federal government.
Now if I can only find a candidate expressing most of these views and willing to compromise to solve issues for the country as a whole. I'll certainly be listening very closely between now and November. But I'm also going to listen very closely to the congressional candidates in my district for the same kind of input on the issues I care about. It's a shame more voters don't consider using a similar approach.
) that would almost surely doom his candidacy
