Political Meme

Jay did this Meme and I thought it looked a bit different from the others, so here goes.

Stem Cell Research - For it.

Cloning -Opposed. Especially human cloning. I have enough trouble dealing with one version of each person, let alone a whole bunch of them. With most people, one is more than enough.

Illicit Drug Use -Opposed.

Abstinence Only Sex-Ed: I think it is very important to teach methods of birth control, as well as explaining the consequences of having unprotected sex, along with abstinence only. I believe in full disclosure, with all the gory details of HIV, Aids and other diseases. Parents need to be open and listen to their children and answer their questions fully. The schools shouldn't be expected to do it for them.

Emergency Contraceptives- The morning after pill? I'm for it. But, like birth control pills, the insurance companies probably wouldn't cover it, either.

Gun Control -Generally opposed to any more laws concerning gun control. We should enforce the ones we have.

Hunting- For it. Most of the hunters I know hunt for food as well as fun. It's no worse than fishing, in my book. Just don't ask me to pull the trigger, bait the hook, gut the deer or clean the fish.

Gay Marriage - Why not? And, I don't see anything wrong with allowing gays to adopt, either.

Pornography -Ugh. If that's what floats your boat, ok. But, don't read those dirty magazines where I can see them (do you hear me, young man who was on the airplane across the aisle from me the last time I flew?)

Abortion - I don't think I could ever have one, but I'm not going to tell another woman that she can't, and besides it's legal. It's much too personal a decision, it's her decision and her husband's and her doctor's. And, if a minor is too afraid to go to her parents for help, she should be able to seek help from a doctor and there should be a way for her to get counseling without her parents knowing. Too many girls would be thrown out of their homes, because their parents are so rigid that they can't or won't help.

Capital Punishment - I'm against it, except when I'm for it. I'm sure that if I anyone in my family or among my friends was murdered, I would want to throw the switch myself. But, I don't think it acts as a deterrent. I'm just glad I don't have to make the decision.

Affirmative Action -I'm against it. I know how and why it came about, but I'm just not for giving an unqualified person a job, when you have a qualified person available. I believe the concept failed, even though it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Prostitution - I think it should be legalized and regulated and taxed.

Child Labor - Against it. It's hard enough for adults to find jobs these days, without having to compete against children who are probably cute and precocious and will make the adults look older than they really are.

Online Dating -I'm old fashioned enough to think that this could be very dangerous. But, apparently I'm in the minority, so go ahead, have a good time.

Drinking then Driving -Stupid and irresponsible. And, sleeping it off in a jail cell isn't near as comfortable as watching your own bedroom spin around.

The Electoral College - I think it would take forever to determine who won if we used only the popular vote. But, I don't like the idea that about five states can determine the winner. So, we need to come up with something that will reflect the will of the people in every state.

Separation of Church and State -Absolutely for it.

Interracial Dating/Marriage - Who cares? When two sets of hormones are calling to each other, they don't take race into consideration. Or age or sex, for that matter.

Keeping the pledge in school -I grew up saying the Pledge without the phrase "Under God". It was changed while I was still in school, so I said it that way. I can't say it made much difference one way or the other. However, if it were put to a vote, I'd vote to keep that phrase out of it, in the interest of separating church and state, and just to be ornery.

Arranged Marriage -Totally and completely oppose. I'd like to see someone tell me who I was going to marry.

Prayer In School - We are already allowed to have prayer in school. Anyone who wants to can say a prayer, or grace, or have a moment of quiet reflection. It's just that the school administration and teachers can't force prayer on the students or each other. And, that's the way it should stay.

National Healthcare - Gotta have it. Things are getting worse all the time. Somehow, we have to break the hold that the pharmaceutical and insurance companies have on our Senators and Representatives. It may finally come down to electing more and more Independents to office.

The Patriot Act - Give me a break. The purpose of the Patriot Act was to give the Republicans complete control and take away some very important rights. And, it almost worked. Once again, we might have to elect a bunch of Independents to office, and end up with a third party.

Legalization of Marijuana -For medial purposes, yes. However, have you ever gazed into the eyes of someone who was high on Marijuana? The lights may be on, but there's nobody home, in most cases.

Censorship -Against it in all it’s forms. Which brings me to Don Imus. I think firing him was overkill in the extreme. I also think it's folly to believe that we can make Rap (I refuse to call it music) squeaky clean. We practice censorship on our own all the time. Don't like Imus? Don't listen. Don't buy the products who sponsor him. Don't like Rap? Don't listen. Don't like sex and violence in movies? Don't go to the theaters and don't buy the DVDs. But, don't try to tell others what to watch or listen to, and don't pretend you're doing it "for their own good." You're not. So, let's just leave each other alone, 'kay?

Racism -Again, completely and totally opposed.

Downloading Music (for free) - I don't know, but if it's illegal, don't do it.

Uniforms in School - Against. But, I do believe in dress codes. I know that some people's children are better dressed than others, but uniforms aren't the answer to that. The answer to that kind of inequity is to sit Tommy and Tiffany down and explain to them that the reason that Jimmy can wear Nikes and Tommy has to have Keds, and Muffy can have Manolo Blahniks and Tiffany has to wear sandals from Shoes-R-Us is because their parents have more money than yours do, and isn't that just too damn bad. Life ain't fair. Suck it up and quit whining. This will be a good character builder for your little darlings in the long run.

Animal Testing - Some testing is probably necessary, but absolutely no vivisection, please.

Nuclear Enegery - I'm in favor of anything that will lower my utility bills. And, if neuclear energy can make my car go, I'm in favor of that, too.