Let's recap on my political viewpoints since this year will see the Presidential elections in November. Now I would usually consider myself a very pro-Bush person and a moderate Republican, but there are a few things on the President's profile that I seriously disagree with. I took this political views quiz that would match my opinions up with the current candidates in the running. It was weird to find that currently Bush ranks 8 out of a list of top 10 people in accordance with what I believe.
Lol, since I rushed a bit through that quiz, I'm just gonna go over what the President's current stands are on issues and what I think about them.
Taxes: I don't like the fact that Bush's flowering idea of cutting income taxes will give the "greatest help for those most in need." Yeah, that's if the rich people need any more yachts and mansions. Heaven help us if Mr. Millionaire can't buy another villa in Spain. "Contradiction of that assessment come from critics such as the Citizens for Tax Justice. Their analysis shows that more than sixty percent of Bush's proposed tax cuts would go to the best-off 10 percent of Americans."
Social Services Funding: Bush believes it doesn't matter what charity money goes to as long as it is a charity/non-profit organization, etc. I totally agree that an organization should not be discriminated against just because it might be affiliated with a religion.
Welfare: "The President offered his agenda to move America forward by accelerating his $1.3 trillion tax giveaway to the wealthiest citizens and eliminating the stock dividend tax for millionaires in his $674 billion economic plan." Hellooo, they don't need any more money!
Security & Terrorism: I'm all for Operation TIPS and strongly support the President on these related issues.
Foreign Affairs: This is a touchy subject for many...the President is pro for acting unilaterally against enemy countries, like Iraq. I for one don't believe he is "trigger happy" but just that the government knows tons more about what goes on with foreign issues than any of the public ever will. Even though some might disagree, I would rather trust the government with this kind of stuff than believe anything else. Yes...if Independence Day were ever to become a reality I would probably be one of the clueless people running in the streets. But like I care if we have guys like Jeff Goldbloom and Will Smith to protect us! HOOrah!
Education: Vouchers for education are ok, I just think that Bush should bend a little more to help fund the project. Aside from this, I am very much for teachers getting better salaries, funding for public schools being increased and more scholarship opportunities becoming available for college students (grad, undergrad, etc). And I wouldn't mind it either if a majority of those scholarships added were maybe to help students who don't demonstrate a huge load of financial need. My parents just happened to make a ton of money the year I started college and it shot a lot of my chances at getting all of what I needed because of the dumb FAFSA. It's probably just a lovely dream but I would rather go to school for free and come out struggling a little bit at first than paying loan interest and fees the rest of my life. Thankfully, I'm not on any loans...but I'm shouldering a ton of financial difficulty nonetheless. It's not fun.
Healthcare: This really isn't very big for me right now, probably will be when I'm older. And I don't really have much of an opinion on the issue of cloning either. Unless I go watch the movie The 6th Day and feel bad for the clones with horrible lives because they can't do anything about it really.
Social Security: Not really an issue for me at the moment.
Illicit Drugs: Very much in support of Bush's anti-drug policies using methods such as drug courts, counseling and numerous programs to help prevent illegal drug use.
Trade: Well, Bush went against what he said in 2000 about free trade by imposing restrictions and tariffs, but this hasn't really affected me that much to my knowledge.
Ex-Felon's Voting Rights: I agree with Bush's policy on restoring the voting rights of felons that have served their entire term. They are still Americans and therefore entitled to rights and civil liberties. Another dream of mine is to see the US be a country of forgiveness, but I doubt that will ever happen.
Gun Policy: Eeek, I don't like guns at all. Bush has been more of a supporter of the NRA than any anti-gun violence groups. I'm sort of fence on this issue. I don't really support gun use all that much but then again having a gun as protection in your house is kind of ok. I haven't really thought too much on it.
Abortion Policy: I am completely pro-life. I've thought alot about this and the different situations that would involve a decision to abort a baby or not...such as rape...but honestly, my beliefs are so strong on this subject that I don't think I could go through with abortion if I were raped and became pregnant because of it. I know some people would shake their fingers at me saying "Oh you don't know because you haven't experienced it" and I can't refute them but I still stand by my opinion.
Environmental Policy: I don't like Bush's actions towards the environment. According to many articles put out by the League of Conservation Voters he has more harmed the environment than helped it, promoting business and industry ventures as more important. With all of this I strongly disagree.
Minority Issues: I don't think I know enough about the President's beliefs on minorities but I personally am all for most of what the NAACP stands for.
Civil Liberties: Hmm...reading what it says on that quiz site about the President's profile it seems like he hasn't put too much effort into the rights of minorities or civil liberties. But like I said before, I haven't researched these particular issues much.
I think I'm still going to vote for Bush unless I hear of another candidate who champions more of my beliefs than the President currently does. Haven't found one yet but I'm lookin'.