Poll of ATS Members' Political Ideology, page 3


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reply posted on 22-6-2006 @ 10:24 PM by apocalypticon
Good question yer' Benevolence,

F:neither liberal nor conservative- Do Not support the Bush Administration.

1. Church/State separation is, I believe, fundamental to the broadest protection of inherent human rights.

2. Fiscal Responsibility: a necessary attribute to everyone, from individuals/families/business/ and especially...GOVERNMENT. It doesn't mean things might not be a struggle at times, it means using whatever you do have WISELY.

3. Gun Ownership: and with the harshest of penalties for those who commit crimes involving violence, especially with guns.

4. Compassionate Governance: As far as possible, a government should have a compassionate social policy for those who are truly in need of assistance.

I believe that it is only when we can demonstrate an ability to have a fully functioning society based on human rights, compassion and justice, that we will have anything of real value (other than Democracy) to "spread" around the globe.
The "People's Purse" should be used at home first.

5. Strong Military: Cut the pork and give the Nation a well armed, supplied, supported, and highly trained military. Use it only as a last resort, and mercilessly defend the Nation with it in case of real threat. If you have to ask those folks to destroy lives then give them the overwhelming force, supply and commitment necessary to settle the matter as quickly as possible.

6. The Constitution: The value of the fundamental ideals underlying this document, when adhered to, cannot be overstated. And, I believe the spirit of the document is towards the continuing expansion of Liberty and Equal Rights under the law.

7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: It's great that we can freely express our beliefs in America, but it has to get beyond griping about things and on to informing ourselves on the issues and vote, write, e-mail, generally harrass our representatives to honestly represent as many of us as possible.


If I could, I would also force The Media to generally grow a spine, give a damn about the real issues, and do some "as-truly-as-possible impartial" investigative journalism.
Enough of the freakin' dog-and-pony show that passes for information which is truly in the Public Interest.

Bleh, I say.




reply posted on 23-6-2006 @ 04:21 PM by donwhite
posted by apocalypticon

Good question yer' Benevolence,

2. Fiscal Responsibility: a necessary attribute especially . . GOVERNMENT . . It means using what you have WISELY.
4. Compassionate Governance: As far as possible, a government should have a compassionate social policy for those who are truly in need of assistance. The "People's Purse" should be used at home first.
5. Strong Military: give the Nation a well armed, supplied, supported, and highly trained military. Use it only as a last resort, and mercilessly defend the Nation with it in case of real threat.
The Media grow a spine and do some "as-truly-as-possible impartial" investigative journalism. Enough of the freakin' dog-and-pony show that passes for information. [Edited by Don W]



Durn, Ap-con, this is one heck of a post. I forgot the topic. I’ll look-see at what you have said. I’ve picked a couple topics that interest me. Item 2. Fiscal. Etc. We need to have enough taxes to equal our outlay. That does not mean raise war funds and cut social funds. If we want more war, raise taxes and earmark it for “war for the duration” as I asked for in 2001, a 75 cents a gallon “war tax” for the duration. Makes everybody think he’s part of the effort. Plus, encourages conservation. What we call a “win-win” move.

Item 4. Starts off great but you’ve got a couple “qualifiers” in there. Maybe intentional, maybe not. I’m looking at “as far as possible” which is rather loose when you’re hungry. Help for people who are “truly in need” is another potential escape clause. We hear too much of this kind of "wanna help but" talk from the R&Fs. Hardly ever hear it from the dispossessed. Hmm? I hope you meant to do more than to pray for us? As in an ac cooled mega-church, pray for the homeless?

Item 5. Well, after 1991, it is hard to find an enemy worthy of our weaponry. If we can’t find an enemy in 15 years, maybe it is time to ratchet down our weaponry? Surely we could use the money to better advantage? Andy Rooney said last Sunday we had 8,000 Abrams tanks. Hmm? Are we planning to fight the Second Battle of Kursk? I doubt the Ruskies could get 800 tanks to run. It’s my estimate fewer than 100 M1A1s could counter all the low riders in Los Angeles! Viva Mexico!

Item Media. As for the media, I believe the media has always been “mis-used” in the eyes of many, including me. History tells us T Jefferson started it with slander on G Washington and J Adams. And they reciprocated! Back in the more recent good old days, I read the Manchester (England) Guardian air edition. Alistair Cooke was their US reporter and I got better news coverage albeit a week late than in most US papers.

The Dow Jones Company published the National Observer, a weekly that arrived on Monday morning, which was regarded as the best weekly in the US, until the Dow Jones Company cancelled it because of complaints from Wall Street Journal advertisers it was too much left wing and getting on their case. And etc. We just can’t rely on one or even two sources. Plus, we need to read some hard bound books. By worthy authors. And etc. Good post, Ap-Con.

Best military insignia website I've seen.
See
www.diggerhistory.info...



[edit on 6/23/2006 by donwhite]


reply posted on 23-6-2006 @ 07:23 PM by apocalypticon
Hey Don W,

Sorry about the length of the post--I got rather a bit overzealous with the spirit of the thing

As for #4: as to the qualifiers; I mean "as far as possible" only in the sense that there are some things which require not only external support systems but also as much personal effort as the individual is able to contribute. This will vary depending upon the person and situation; however, Government, in it's capacity of "providing for the common good", should develop support systems designed to ameliorate the degree to which individuals are unable to help themselves (imho).

This would involve a whole raft of things; from adequate support for mental health/rehab programs, to adequate support for the infirm and elderly, to programs which actually make it possible for the highest percentage of individuals possible to achieve the education required to build a truly vibrant, functional society.

One which has a real interest in assisting people in becoming productive, independant citizens--which is what I believe the overwhelming majority of people want for themselves.

A society, in other words, which doesn't look the other way as people die under bridges or on park benches, or suffer the indignities of dehumanizing treatment in shoddy retirement centers (or worse) to name only a couple of things.

Am I a "Bleeding Heart"? Probably. (you didn't ask the question, or assume it...but others will).

As for the "mega-church" thing...I am not a fan of the current mega-church phenomenon but that's beside the point. To inadequately paraphrase The Man Himself:
What good does it do to tell the poor or those in need "Have a good day" or "I wish you well" without actually seeing to it that those in need receive real, tangible help. You know, the food, shelter, clothing type of stuff. Prayer is a good thing but it can also be an excuse for inaction/uninvolvement. Bleh on that, I say...

I do believe in reading books...all kinds...it's one of the few ways to get in depth, nuanced info. I have a library that covers a whole wall of my home, floor-to-ceiling...and most of it is pretty good stuff. I was a History major in university, so I like to read...a lot

Alright, this is turning into another full-blown article so I better stop.

BTW: The other unit patch is for the 3/2 ACR (3rd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment). I was deployed with this unit's Howitzer Battery (M109 A1's) as a Forward Observer.

And to anybody out there who knows that unit: Toujours Pret!!!

Whew! Man that was long...still awake?



[edit on 21o06e305406e 54 by apocalypticon]

Another Edit The thing about the military was primarily aimed at cutting out the waste and Pork. My god, man, look at the cash they can't account for simply from what was doled out of the backs of trucks to contractors in Iraq.

Millions, or even billions, might not seem like much in the face of our national indebtedness, but it could do one heck of a lot for any well run assistance program.

[edit on 53o06e301006e 10 by apocalypticon]
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