GA Liberal - Part 1 of 10
March 3, 2009
Partisan politics..
I am in favor of local non-partisan elections because it focuses the public on the candidates’ own merits instead of their political party affiliation. I have been a member of the U.S. Centrist Party since April 2008. Being a Centrist does not define a certain compromise of beliefs and ideas; however, it means that we must find common sense solutions that benefit the current and long-term needs, support public trust, and serve the common good. The U.S. Centrist Party was founded on the ideas of common sense and pragmatism, which so many politicians ignore simply to win the support of a certain political party.
As a Centrist, I do not disregard the ideas of my Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, or Constitutional party friends. I believe that we all have something to offer and we must look beyond the titles and party lines in order to work together and further strengthen our democracy.
In my opinion, all issues, social or economic in nature, deserve adequate research in order to seek the most pragmatic solution to the problem. Without knowledge of the issue prior to making a decision, there is a greater chance that the plan will fail. To achieve success, we must determine the solutions that will contribute to improving our society in the short and long term.
Social issues..
I believe that the government should listen to the public interest with regard to public policy. If an issue is affecting a substantial number of citizens, they have the right to petition to have the issue placed on the ballot. The local government should listen to the voices of its citizens, giving each an equal opportunity to bring about possible improvement of the community and themselves.
In response to where I stand on some issues, these are merely my opinions and do not reflect upon the decisions that would be made to benefit the community as a whole. Two of the most talked-about social issues of today, both of which have appeared on several statewide ballots each election-year, include gay marriage and the medicinal use of marijuana.
My opinion on gay marriage is that every citizen of this country deserves equal rights, as put forth in the constitution. Whether or not the term “marriage” is used should be left up to the individuals involved and whether or not their religious affiliation supports it, based upon the idea that the term “marriage” references religion. I do not support the recently suggested constitutional amendment that would deny gay couples the right of civil recognition based upon their sexual preference, way of life, or spiritual belief.
My opinion on the use of medicinal marijuana is derived from the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” I believe that marijuana reform should be an issue left solely up to the states to decide. Nearly twenty states have recently reformed their marijuana laws for reasons such as fiscal conservatism, medical use, and the safer effects of recreational use as compared to alcohol and other drugs. Unfortunately, users still face federal prosecution regardless of the states’ laws. Though I personally disagree with a few of the reform policies, I do support the ending of federal raids on patients that are using marijuana, prescribed by a doctor, for its medical benefits. As studies have shown, marijuana is a non-lethal substance, eliminating the chance of an overdose, and has far less side effects than ninety-nine percent of the drugs that are approved by the FDA. With knowledge of the scientific evidence, and in respect to the U. S. Constitution, I do not understand why the federal government would enter a state whose citizens voted for marijuana policy reform, and continue to implement federal law with disregard for state sovereignty. In the past, politicians have avoided questioning the current drug policy in fear of being called “pro-drug” or even a “drug user.” However, I question the existing policies and am far from being “pro-drug” or a “drug user.” I believe that the federal government has a responsibility to the citizens to intervene in matters concerning debilitating and addictive drugs that contribute to harmful effects on society, public safety, and even homeland security. These drugs are major contributors to robbery, rape, assault, and murder; they offer nothing beneficial to society. My stance on the issue of marijuana law reform is that of compassionate conservatism, or just simply being pragmatic.
March 3, 2009
Partisan politics..
I am in favor of local non-partisan elections because it focuses the public on the candidates’ own merits instead of their political party affiliation. I have been a member of the U.S. Centrist Party since April 2008. Being a Centrist does not define a certain compromise of beliefs and ideas; however, it means that we must find common sense solutions that benefit the current and long-term needs, support public trust, and serve the common good. The U.S. Centrist Party was founded on the ideas of common sense and pragmatism, which so many politicians ignore simply to win the support of a certain political party.
As a Centrist, I do not disregard the ideas of my Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, or Constitutional party friends. I believe that we all have something to offer and we must look beyond the titles and party lines in order to work together and further strengthen our democracy.
In my opinion, all issues, social or economic in nature, deserve adequate research in order to seek the most pragmatic solution to the problem. Without knowledge of the issue prior to making a decision, there is a greater chance that the plan will fail. To achieve success, we must determine the solutions that will contribute to improving our society in the short and long term.
Social issues..
I believe that the government should listen to the public interest with regard to public policy. If an issue is affecting a substantial number of citizens, they have the right to petition to have the issue placed on the ballot. The local government should listen to the voices of its citizens, giving each an equal opportunity to bring about possible improvement of the community and themselves.
In response to where I stand on some issues, these are merely my opinions and do not reflect upon the decisions that would be made to benefit the community as a whole. Two of the most talked-about social issues of today, both of which have appeared on several statewide ballots each election-year, include gay marriage and the medicinal use of marijuana.
My opinion on gay marriage is that every citizen of this country deserves equal rights, as put forth in the constitution. Whether or not the term “marriage” is used should be left up to the individuals involved and whether or not their religious affiliation supports it, based upon the idea that the term “marriage” references religion. I do not support the recently suggested constitutional amendment that would deny gay couples the right of civil recognition based upon their sexual preference, way of life, or spiritual belief.
My opinion on the use of medicinal marijuana is derived from the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” I believe that marijuana reform should be an issue left solely up to the states to decide. Nearly twenty states have recently reformed their marijuana laws for reasons such as fiscal conservatism, medical use, and the safer effects of recreational use as compared to alcohol and other drugs. Unfortunately, users still face federal prosecution regardless of the states’ laws. Though I personally disagree with a few of the reform policies, I do support the ending of federal raids on patients that are using marijuana, prescribed by a doctor, for its medical benefits. As studies have shown, marijuana is a non-lethal substance, eliminating the chance of an overdose, and has far less side effects than ninety-nine percent of the drugs that are approved by the FDA. With knowledge of the scientific evidence, and in respect to the U. S. Constitution, I do not understand why the federal government would enter a state whose citizens voted for marijuana policy reform, and continue to implement federal law with disregard for state sovereignty. In the past, politicians have avoided questioning the current drug policy in fear of being called “pro-drug” or even a “drug user.” However, I question the existing policies and am far from being “pro-drug” or a “drug user.” I believe that the federal government has a responsibility to the citizens to intervene in matters concerning debilitating and addictive drugs that contribute to harmful effects on society, public safety, and even homeland security. These drugs are major contributors to robbery, rape, assault, and murder; they offer nothing beneficial to society. My stance on the issue of marijuana law reform is that of compassionate conservatism, or just simply being pragmatic.
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