The top three issues most important to you in the upcoming Presidential election

[Trell]

Reverse tort reform,  Remove limits placed on the courts and law suits,  This will make companies to fear the people and should allow deregulation of companies.  Companies will self regulate if they fear they will lose there business because of business malpractice.

Pull back troops from all countries  Would rather they were stationed in the country,  Let our tax dollars go to our own country.

Healthcare reform,  If the countries Healthcare system can not work the way it is.  We need to create a new system.

4th and 5th would be energy policy and Border control.

[Getback]

Issues?

Energy Policy:  We should have one.  One that has government actually encouraging energy independance thru nuclear, coal to liquid, renewables, oil shale, etc...
Balanced Budget
Secure Borders

Fondest wish? 99% of congressional incumbants running defeated

Ditto,

I may add flat tax and get government out of lives not more intrusive, like say heathcare or any other socialist ideals.

[Chairboy]

Stop calling gays a minority and treat it like it is a lifestyle choice. there should be no special treatment or benefits them.

Same with religious folks.  No special rights for them, strike all the laws that grant them rights others don't have.  It's a lifestyle choice, not a golden ticket.

[lazs2]

chair.. I guess you would have a point if being of a religion gave you any extra rights or... if being gay took any away.. or... if gay was a charitable non profit organization.

lazs

[Chairboy]

Oh, but it does, there are a number of states where you must be religious to hold public office.  The religious folks have plenty of special rights, it'll be an interesting test of character (and, dare I say, 'intellectual honesty'?) to see how you and Mustaine respond to this.  

[SteveBailey]

Oh, but it does, there are a number of states where you must be religious to hold public office.  The religious folks have plenty of special rights, it'll be an interesting test of character (and, dare I say, 'intellectual honesty'?) to see how you and Mustaine respond to this.  

What states, specifically?

[Chairboy]

Texas, for one.  The Bill of Rights of the Texas Constitution (Article I, Section 4) allows people to be excluded from holding office on religious grounds. An official may be "excluded from holding office" if she/he does not "acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."

Arkansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee all have similar language in their constitutions/bills o' right/etc.

You didn't know this?

[Holden McGroin]

CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Article II. It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship.

Women, however, can be without faith in God.

[Impakt]

Toad said "constructionist" instead of "strict constructionist" and that is worth a snide and pedantic lecture?  I attended a Scalia presentation in February and he refers to himself as an originalist.  You might want to write him and correct him.

Amazing all the names I've been called here, but I'm wrong for correcting someone. There is a distinction between Scalia's position accurately called by him "originalism" and other nuanced positions. I guess I tire of the public talking about constitutional law when they haven't had a course on it in law School and haven't taken an advanced course on jurisprudence. Pedantry is truth here; the views of the public, and journalistic accounts, not worth discussing. I'm glad you attended a lecture---I had dinner with him and his wife at the Swiss embassy in 1990 or  thereabouts---hey I'm pedantic, a blowhard, and a name dropper----trifecta.

[lazs2]

chair...  I would be against any religious requirement for public office.. it is really simple.. no need to make a big deal out of it.  simply wrong on all levels.   I don't really think this is a large problem but you can count me in on the next march or letter writing binge.    I am with you on this one but not real shook up about it since I have just now heard of it.

lazs

[lazs2]

See Rule #4

[bj229r]

Most folks construe 'originalist' (which I've heard Scalia say) and 'strict constructionist' to be one and the same, (rather like 'liberal' and 'progressive') What differences are there supposed to be?

[Skuzzy]

Get it back on track folks.

[ROX]

Yes, PEOPLE think gas prices (which affect every other price) might be a viable election time gripe, no chief executive has control over gas prices.  Nixon didn't during the OPEC embargo in the early '70's and Bush has no more power now.

Securing our borders and keeping our peoples safe is required of our leaders...and is one of the HUGEST election issues.

This is Memorial Day weekend.  Many men & women served and many died for our freedom and security.  If they didn't, this country wouldn't be here.



ROX

[Chairboy]

I'm not sure what mechanism the president would use to control gas prices even if he wanted.  Tell the oil companies to sell at a loss?  Tell them what profit margins to run at?  Cut our own throat by tapping into the oil reserves/ANWR?  BTW, the reason I don't want Alaska drilled yet is that I'd much rather we use all the other countries oil first.  If we drill now, then we'll run out the same time as everyone else, anyone ever consider the strategic implications of this?  Or was everyone too busy crying about the extra Starbuck's latte they could have bought with the increased prices?