Originally posted by Gumbeau
Moderates are only people without a clue what they stand for.
Give me some examples of the 'moderate' position on some issues.
Okay, I consider myself a moderate:
IRAQ: Going into Iraq in the first place: Big mistake (SSG Dixie Chick, that's me). The handling of the war is going to make a great Military Channel special on "Screwing Up By the Numbers" someday. BUT We absolutely cannot pull out of the country in it's present state --- we created the mess, our national economic and security interests are still tied to that region's stability, we obligated to see it through at this point, though it will take years, lives, and dollars to do so.
IMMIGRATION: Amnesty heck, it's simply recognizing the reality. Those already living and working in the United States, work out a way toward citizenship. Deal with it and move on. At the same time, secure the blasted borders already!
ELECTIONS and SPECIAL INTERESTS: National fund. All recognized candidates that meet the requirements and get enough signatures on petitions or however, get a percentage of that year's campaign funds. Not along party lines. Equally. No monetary donations. Equal time to promote their agenda and position. Watch the lobbyists closely.
ABORTION and SEX ED: I believe a woman should have control over her body in a modern, free society. The way to reduce the number of abortions is to educate and make available the alternatives to those kids. Making abortion illegal and hoping all the kids abstain till they are married is just plain dumb and naive. Give them the knowledge, the alternatives, and the support to work their way through the issue. I don't care at all about the religious angle, and those on the 'all life is sacred' platform should visit Darfur. Life is very cheap.
DRUGS: Legalize. Tax. Regulate. Tax. Spend the money from the war on drugs and enforcement and prison space instead on treatment and education. Operating under the influence of drugs handled like DUI's are now. Companies can still dismiss employees who test positive if that is their company policy under legalized drugs (same as for alcohol today). Oh, And tax the drugs.
IMHO, such a move would eventually make a big dent in national crime statistics as well. Prohibition did not work. Neither is the War on Drugs. Just creating different criminal organizations.
MILITARY: A strong, well trained, versatile military. Hi-tech toys are fine and all, but develop what you need for low intensity conflicts in the mud and city streets as well. Consider use of National Service requirements to fill ranks, or American Foreign Legions as an option.
NATIONAL SERVICE: Yes. Very much. Some form of service at some point in your life between 15 and 30. Military. Medical or Emergency fields. Teaching. Volunteer Work. Conservation work. Some of the Sciences. Volunteer Firemen or Paramedic. National Guard or Reserve enlistment. It could take many forms with various lengths of time and effort to commit. Even put a dollar amount on it so the rich can buy their way out of it (without any tax breaks) -- heck, I don't care. I'd go for a less strict rather than over the top bureaucracy --- which means there would probably be loopholes and cheats, but no matter. The overall effort and results should be positive.
OIL ECONOMY: It is in the National Interest to develop alternative energy resources and conservation efforts in order to not have to depend on oil resources from dwindling supplies located in less than stable parts of the world. This is a Manhattan Project or Apollo Program level effort. Private enterprise and the markets are NOT going to tackle this one to any great effect. Raise fuel economy levels up to those of Europe, Japan, and China.
MEDICAL CARE and SOCIAL SECURITY: The Third Rail of Politics. Agree that politicians are not going to solve this on their own before it goes off the cliff. Assemble a non-partisan group of experts to study every aspect and come out with a viable solution and then bite the bullet on this one. Everyone will lose something, but there is no other way these issues will ever get solved. There are no solutions that doesn't hurt some. Some benefits will get added. Many benefits will get cut back or disappear.
EDUCATION: Current system sucks. Time for school vouchers. Competition. Privatized schools not just private schools, but company operated, like some cities, towns and prisons are now run by companies (and often much better than government run ones). Teachers Unions will scream murder..... so what, they are part of the problem anyways. Continue to try and fix things from the government side, but it is time to try other things. Current system does not work.
In short: Do what will work. What is in the best interests of the nation and it's people. The good of the many outweighs the idealogical dogma of the few.
