A personal manifesto

[kanrok]

I am posting about issues of which I have strong feelings. These are my opinions. Feel free to follow my lead and post your own personal manifesto. Here we go:

I am pro-death penalty. In limited circumstances. There are times when a person just forfeits his or her right to walk the face of the earth. The death penalty is not a general deterrence. It is, however, a special deterrence.

I am anti-abortion and yet pro-choice. Let me explain. Abortion as birth control is amoral. Having said that, it is a woman's right to decide what she wants to do with her body. I would rather that abortions never occur, but I firmly believe that it is (generally) impossible to legislate morality.

Similarly, I am firmly in favor of stem-cell research. We are on the cusp of a new scientific age. In my lifetime, it is possible that we will be able to cure cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as potentially allow those afflicted with paraplegia to walk.

I believe that hard street drugs should remain illegal. I now have come to the conclusion, however, that marijuana should be legalized. There is no logical rationale why marijuana for medicinal purposes should be illegal. Further, there is no rationale for continuing to criminalize a drug that is probably safer than alcohol, and actually has some medicinal benefit.

I believe that "Intelligent Design" is an interesting concept. It is, however, not scientific by any definition. If it is to be taught in public schools, it should be taught in comparative religion or philosophy classes, not as a part of any science curriculum.

I believe that government has a place in helping to make our collective lives better. The measure of a society is in how it treats the least of its' citizens. Welfare is not a bad word. Social security is a good idea. Helping the poor and disabled is a moral imperative. Relying on people to contribute to charities solely instead of using our tax dollars to assist is a mistake. Having said that, if each one of us contributed five hours per month to helping those in need, we would likely solve many of our problems in this area.

I believe that the little guy should have the same access to legal services as the rich and powerful. I do not believe that you cannot fight "city hall." I firmly believe that we should raise taxes to help those who cannot help themselves. I'll be damned, however, if I will pay one cent more in taxes to help someone when a person or entity caused the condition for which the person needs assistance, and that entity or person has the wherewithal to pay to right the wrong.

I believe that doctors, nurses, police officers, fire-fighters, soldiers and teachers are worth more than their weight in gold. Maybe they are even worth their weight in diamonds. They make us well, allow us to learn, save and protect us. We should place a premium on their service. They deserve to earn more than they are typically paid.

I believe that we need to have checks and balances in government. I do not believe that it is in our nation's best interest to have one party in power of every branch of government. We do much better as a nation when there is a Democrat in the white house and a closely contested congress, with Republicans in a slight advantage.

I am fiercely patriotic, but I am not jingoistic. I get choked up when I hear that our soldiers are dying. I get goosebumps when the National Anthem is sung before a sporting event (Especially before a Chicago Blackhawks home game).

I am religious. I love my God. I respect those who do not believe, yet I feel sorry that they have not found what I have found.

My priorities are as follows: My family, my faith, my country, my clients.

I am a Democrat. But I don't vote by party affiliation. If I believe a Republican is a better choice, I will vote for him or her. (I have yet to vote for a third party candidate in any election, but I am open to doing so).

I believe every one should take the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Many have died to afford us the opportunity to do so. To refuse to vote because a person does not like the available choices is a cop-out. If you truly believe that you have no actual choice, get yourself to the polls and submit a blank ballot.

That is all for now. Feel free to comment and/or post your own personal manifesto.

[ContraBass Black]

1. Woefully incomplete, but soon to be updated.

The Manifesto

[kanrok]

3. Nice job. Thoughtful.

n/t

[ContraBass Black]

4. That was fast.

The Racism section is probably the most fun.

[Autonomy]

2. Sounds like you're a pretty mainstream Democrat

So your personal manifesto is probably the manifesto for the plurality if not the majority of the US.

My manifesto: I pull the (D) lever when voting, even if Joe Lieberman is on the ballot.