Honestly. You turn your back for a couple of days, and the old shouty Mud Pit is back.
You guys have touched a lot of topics, so I'll try and keep this brief and (reasonably) concise. Before I begin, I would like to point out that I am
not in the employ, or a member of, the Liberal Democrat party. I'm just a concerned voter
Drugs
UK Wizard, I would be interested to see the evidence you have suggesting that cannabis is a "killer" drug, or even that it acts as a gateway to
harder drugs. Research I have seen (my girlfriend is a nurse, so gets all kinds of dull nursing journals brimming with this stuff) suggests that
cannabis is
less harmful and responsible for
fewer inuries, deaths or crimes than either alcohol or tobacco. Doesn't it seem a little
hypocritical for the government to promote the alcohol industry (particularly spirits, which bring in a hefty amount of taxes) and punish those who
indulge in a smoke from time to time with fines, a permanent criminal record, and even prison?
This is not indicative of a soft approach to drugs - it shows a desire to relieve the police of an onerous burden which doesn't benefit society,
thereby allowing them to focus their attention on the hard drugs which are ruining lives. Lib Dem reforms will also see addicts being given
well-funded treatmeant to aid in their rehabilitation, and drug pushers - particularly those who target children - being punished with much tougher
sentencing.
Europe
Yes, the Lib Dems are pro-EU, and I realise that this is not an entirely popular view in this country at the moment. The arguments for and against
the EU have been hashed over many times (not least of all by you and I, UK Wizard
) and I don't think it's necessary to revisit them here. I
would say, however, that we should applaud the Lib Dems on this subject, purely for putting forward an honest, unitied policy on the subject. At
least when you vote Lib Dem, unlike Labour of the Tories, you
know what they are going to do.
Sex Education
We live in a sexualised world. Seven-year-olds are exposed to sex every single day, whether it be the new Britney Spears video or the cover of
Mummy's Cosmpolitan magazine. Appropriate, targetted sex education will enable children to make their own choices regarding sex, and will help to
protect them from predators and abusers. No-one is suggesting given the kids advice on positions or techniques, and no-one - despite what the
right-wing press has claimed - has suggested handing out condoms in primary schools. This isn't about teaching kids how to have sex, it's about
warning kids of the pitfalls.
I must say I'm surprised, UK Wizard, to see any member of ATS advocating
ignorance as a defense against the evils of the world.
Crime
There is no suggestions - anywhere - that the Lib Dems do not support jail terms for "career criminals". The policy at the moment involves
adjusting our priorities so that non-harmful, single-instance crimes can be punished by the use of fines, tagging or community service orders.
Studies show these techniques can be
more effective in dealing with non-habitual criminals, and they save the tax payer a large amount of money
while relieving pressure on our overpopulated prisons.
The idea that rapists, murderers and Jeffrey Arcer would be free to walk the streets is just some more anti-Lib Dem propoganda.
Head of State
I am, as you may have guessed, a staunch supporter of the idea of an elected head of state - I would be called a "Republican", but for the
unpleasant connotations that word has. There are two primary arguments which support a "Presidential" head of state: firstly, that it is
undemocratic and retrogressive to continue using a bloated monarchy as our figurehead, and secondly, that the monarchy has done little or nothing to
add to Britain's successes in the last twenty years. If we had a President as a formal head of state - like almost every other civilised country on
Earth - it would also re-energise popular interest in politics and the democratic process.
Democracy and Constitutional Issues
Can there be
anyone who thinks that the constitutional needs of this country are better served by thousands of snippets of arcane legislation
hidden away in dusty tomes, than by a clear, modern, inspirational constitution, protecting our rights and freedoms into perpetuity? The Lib Dems
have shown again and again that they are the only party in this country which stands for governmental transparency, equitable and representative
voting systems, public accountability and the preservation of our democractically-endowed freedoms.
Environmental Policies
As far as I can tell, the Lib Dems are the only one of the three main parties which has an environmental agenda. If you care about the future of our
planet - even vaguely - then you have no alternative in mainstream politics. This is, as a footnote, one of the areas I would like to see the Lib
Dems tighten up their policies, but they are still streets ahead of the Labour/Tory position.
All of these, as interesting as they are, skirt around the main issue regarding the next election. Blair's New Labour has stumbled through
government for the last seven years, and has achieved very little. Their policies are now more Tory than the Tory policies are! Adolf Blunkett and
his Amazing Authoritarian Army are ripping up our (non-constitutional) freedoms every day. Blair is covertly taking us into Europe while claiming he
isn't, and denying us the opportunity to debate or vote on it. During the war on Iraq, only the Liberal Democrats had the courage to question the
"evidence" and the necessity of war.
And the Tory party? Undoubtedly, they are the finest bunch of statesmen and politicians I seen since the last time I lifted up a reasonably heavy
rock. They've sold out their traditional supporters by shifting the party so rapidly to the centre that they've all got whiplash, and they've lied
and tried to mislead the electorate on every subject under the sun.
I don't doubt your patriotism, UK Wizard, and I respect it - which I why I can only ask you to vote Liberal Democrat at the next election. Their
policies may not be exactly what you want from government, but they are the only party which will give you a chance to voice your concerns and
change their policy. They are the only party which won't steamroller over their manifesto pledges the day after the election. They are the
only party which won't compromise this country's interests. They are the only mainstream party which
stands for something.
A vote for the Lib Dems is a vote for progressive government, accountable public servants, a re-energised political dynamic, and, most importantly, a
vote for a government who will answer to the people. Whatever your personal political proclivities, the only way you are going to be able to make
your voice heard in Westminster and Whitehall is to vote Lib Dem.
This page will show the
true Lib Dem policies, and
this is the 2004 European Election Lib Dem manifesto in
.pdf format. Have a look. It makes interesting - and refreshing - reading.
Oh, and one last thing: UK Wizard, when John Bull asked you if you were affiliated with the UKIP, the BNP or the NF, you automatically protested you
weren't a rascist.
While I realise that you yourself are not a bigot, have you now conceded that the UKIP is a right-wing wolf in a moderate sheep's clothing?
) 
Basically they are a party who's sole aim is to eradicate
pride and patriotism in Britain 
John bull 1 i would like an appolgy for accusing me of a far right racist, which i am not 
Somehow i don't think so 
