The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

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Rye
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Rye »

Illuminatus Primus wrote:Socially 'responsible' secular liberal democracy? Excuse me but it is the U.S. and the First World which has both the most power and influence, failed to harness them for any purpose but the enrichment of their elites, pushes mankind up closest and fastest against hard limit, and generally benefits and encouraged the pauperization and economic colonization of the Third World. Somehow the idea that the crypto-racist, 'dem dur stupid poor people just can't get their shit together' is more of the boorish, tenured, bullshit I described.
You think I think that western capitalist society is an example of enlightened, secular, democratic and liberal society? It may be MORE of those things than other parts of the world, but, fundamentally, Fukuyama is full of shit. Ideology ain't gone and every country has its own unique conditions that make that utopian crap - from the left and right, both of which trace this back to the humanists, classical liberals and socialists - obsolete and futile. You only have to look at the arab world, and it's perverse applications and syncretism of convenience between arab nationalism, socialism and political islam. They had their own revolutionary vanguards that they took from the Leninists, Ahmedinejad and the other original revolutionaries had a lot of dealings with the marxists in order to get rid of the capitalist, pro-"western" (in inverted commas on account of communism and modern revolutionary rhetoric being firmly based in the western tradition, liberalism and socialism) elements. Look at comparatively secularised Baathists, who never the less, gave a distinctly arab, islamified socialism. Likewise, there are multiple capitalisms, despite the best efforts of the IMF towards America-centric homogeneity.

But hey, by all means, call me racist. Makes it easier, I get it. ;)
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Illuminatus Primus »

What are you talking about? The U.S. doesn't care what paint is on the walls or what rhetoric comes out of state television as long as it doesn't affect IMF policies. Its not like there is even a shred of care toward Saudi Arabia's Islamism: it does its job, culture and politics locally doesn't matter unless it gets in that way. This isn't Soviet-style hegemony, where the metropole will actually bleed resources to the periphery in exchange for neurotic micromanagement of the political stances by the leadership.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Rye »

Illuminatus Primus wrote:What are you talking about? The U.S. doesn't care what paint is on the walls or what rhetoric comes out of state television as long as it doesn't affect IMF policies. Its not like there is even a shred of care toward Saudi Arabia's Islamism: it does its job, culture and politics locally doesn't matter unless it gets in that way. This isn't Soviet-style hegemony, where the metropole will actually bleed resources to the periphery in exchange for neurotic micromanagement of the political stances by the leadership.
I'm talking about how expecting one world view (or "new world order" if you prefer) of progress towards liberal secularism is really quite unlikely, if not impossible due to local variation wherever you go. The IMF's attempt to further capitalism everywhere in its own interests is the same principle in regards to its particular brand of capitalism, as was the last attempt at global socialist revolution. All such attempts are no better than Sisyphus and his boulder, though at least he realised his burden was his punishment.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Guardsman Bass »

Illuminatus Primus wrote:What are you talking about? The U.S. doesn't care what paint is on the walls or what rhetoric comes out of state television as long as it doesn't affect IMF policies.
Actually, they often do. Remember the flop that was/is Al-Hurra? That was launched specifically because the Bush Administration thought that they weren't getting a fair shake on Al-Jazeera, or on Arab television elsewhere in the Middle East.

You must be thinking of the Chinese, who don't give a shit what a trading partner does so long as they sell them oil/natural resources, and allow them to do various commercial projects (with largely Chinese work forces imported for the jobs).
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by K. A. Pital »

Guardsman Bass wrote:You must be thinking of the Chinese, who don't give a shit what a trading partner does so long as they sell them oil/natural resources, and allow them to do various commercial projects (with largely Chinese work forces imported for the jobs).
America never gives a shit about it's trading partners either, so as long as they don't turn anti-America.

And indeed, anti-Americanism is about the only real criterion which can cause America to sanction your nation, invade it or do other things to make life worse for ya.

All other types of brutality, dickishness, lawbreaking and the like are completely irrelevant for the US of A, so as long as they're not directed against America. Didn't Dick Cheney visit Kazakhstan and glorify it's Asian despoty?
Dick wrote:I have previously expressed my admiration for what has transpired here in Kazakhstan over the past 15 years," he said, "both in terms of economic development as well as political development."
In terms of economic development, Kazakhstan rolled back to the 1960s if not the 1950s. In terms of political development, an oligarchy with Asian despoty roots was formed, religious and nationalist radicalization intensified, education levels fell. Nationalist pogroms, etc.

If you think you're smart trying to get on the "USA is better than China, moral high horse", sorry to spoil that little idea. Indeed, the USA is just the same as Russia and China. It never gives a crap about anything unless that "anything" is threatening U.S. national interests - those of geopolitical or economic dominance.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Gandalf »

TimothyC wrote:I don't support Gay Marriage on Religious grounds, HOWEVER, I can't justify blocking the rights to homosexual partners, thus the way I defined it is the least-bad option in my head.
So, would you vote to ban gay marriage?
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Hillary »

Gandalf wrote:
TimothyC wrote:I don't support Gay Marriage on Religious grounds, HOWEVER, I can't justify blocking the rights to homosexual partners, thus the way I defined it is the least-bad option in my head.
So, would you vote to ban gay marriage?
More's the point, does he also disagree with the retailing of shellfish and mixed fabric clothes or allotment plots growing more than one type of fruit/vegetable.

Fair to say that Timothy C is yet another homophobe hiding behind his bible.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Gandalf »

Hillary wrote:More's the point, does he also disagree with the retailing of shellfish and mixed fabric clothes or allotment plots growing more than one type of fruit/vegetable.

Fair to say that Timothy C is yet another homophobe hiding behind his bible.
My question was actually wondering whether those beliefs would be forced on others. I've had friends who thought abortion was vile, but they'd never dream of voting on those lines.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by TimothyC »

Gandalf wrote:
TimothyC wrote:I don't support Gay Marriage on Religious grounds, HOWEVER, I can't justify blocking the rights to homosexual partners, thus the way I defined it is the least-bad option in my head.
So, would you vote to ban gay marriage?
Would now or have in the past?

Because they are two different questions. I had in the past (2004), but I think I wouldn't now.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Guardsman Bass »

Stas Bush wrote:If you think you're smart trying to get on the "USA is better than China, moral high horse", sorry to spoil that little idea. Indeed, the USA is just the same as Russia and China. It never gives a crap about anything unless that "anything" is threatening U.S. national interests - those of geopolitical or economic dominance.
Actually, I'm not. I like the Chinese position, seeing as how they simply deal with the governments as they are, on the basis of their own interests, without the obligatory bullshit propaganda. And they do it through trade deals, not guarantees of military force (of which the US has too many already).
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Pint0 Xtreme »

TimothyC wrote:
Gandalf wrote:
TimothyC wrote:I don't support Gay Marriage on Religious grounds, HOWEVER, I can't justify blocking the rights to homosexual partners, thus the way I defined it is the least-bad option in my head.
So, would you vote to ban gay marriage?
Would now or have in the past?

Because they are two different questions. I had in the past (2004), but I think I wouldn't now.
Would you vote FOR it if it came up on the ballot?
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Illuminatus Primus »

China doesn't propagandize its population as to its policy goals? That's all most U.S. propaganda is; its for our consumption, its clear that both expecting and trying to care about it working on the rest of the world is a marginal case, or a local instance in order to lubricate a particular geopolitical goal (like Al-Hurra).
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

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Pint0 Xtreme wrote:Would you vote FOR it if it came up on the ballot?
I'm conflicted as to whether or not I should oppose it on religious grounds, but either way, I'm also against legislating my religious morality on others. So I think I'd actually not vote on it at all. If I absolutely had to vote, I would vote yes. It's not like its actively harmful or anything.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Illuminatus Primus »

Ryan Thunder wrote:
Pint0 Xtreme wrote:Would you vote FOR it if it came up on the ballot?
I'm conflicted as to whether or not I should oppose it on religious grounds, but either way, I'm also against legislating my religious morality on others. So I think I'd actually not vote on it at all. If I absolutely had to vote, I would vote yes. It's not like its actively harmful or anything.
Yeah, imposing systemic discrimination on others' biological characteristics, and materially contributing to their social-cultural identification as undesirables and an unworthy inferior class, isn't actively harmful or anything.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Ryan Thunder »

Hold on, I meant I would vote in favour of gay marriage. I thought that was what Pinto was asking.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Pint0 Xtreme »

Ryan Thunder wrote:Hold on, I meant I would vote in favour of gay marriage. I thought that was what Pinto was asking.
If voting in favor of equal marriage rights would alleviate social pain and harm upon the LGBT population, would it increase some religious obligation on your part to vote for it? (Going out on a limb here assuming you follow a Judeo-Christian faith)
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by The Grim Squeaker »

What do you identify yourself politically as?
Ruthless Left wing liberal capitalist pragmatist internationalist Atheist Zionist Jew technocrat. :D
I'm nicer in person :).
What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?
Democrats, for lack of a better (or saner) choice.

In Israel - Meimad followed by Meretz. (Green liberal environmentalist party ; Left wing party).
What political party in the United Kingdom do you identify with the most?
My knowledge of UK politics sucks. Conservatives these days, I'm more impressed by Cameron, but I wouldn't go out to vote on such a lack of knowledge.
I'd have voted for Margaret Thatcher back in the day :).
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being "He should be impeached" and 10 being "One of the best Presidents" how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?
5.
He's average, granted he wasn't handed the best of plates (as opposed to, say, Clinton or Bushus minorus) but he's not very, well, impressive so far.
What country other then your home country do you favour the most?
ENGLAND! (Well, I was born in England :)).
What past politicians and political thinkers have influenced you the most?
Churchill, Machiavelli, David Ben Gurion, Henry Kissinger, meh. Too tired to start listing them all :).

---------------------------------------------
Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operations in Iraq?


Yes. Although I don't think Iraq had WMD's during the second Gulf war.
Do you support the US/NATO Military Operation in Afghanistan?
Yes, wholly.
Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?
Yes. Military. no chance of it happening though.
What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis and the Cheonham sinking?
Call their bluff and force them down.
Anyone who thinks waiting a few years for them to get more nukes and assumes that will improve the situation is either out of their mind, stupid, or far too idealistic for sanity's sake.
What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?
Never heard of it before. Nose hill is more interesting.
What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?
Excellent idea. I don't support rapid expansion lest it become a lame duck that won't act.
What should be done about Zimbabwe?
Nothing will be done.
Try cutting them off? Fat chance.
What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?
Liberalize US drug policies to undercut the market, followed by offers of a strong international military (which effectively means the US anyway) task force to help intervene.
Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?
Yes. I support far more stringent action. Bomb the bases and harbours.
What should the solution to Israel/Palestine be?
2 State solution with land swaps based on the 67 borders. I'd support Jerusalem as an international capital, but there's no chance of the fundamentalists on either side agreeing to it.
I also support an international military task force to monitor the area. (I support the same for Lebanon). At least they'll also get the crap bombed out of them by Hezbollah or Hammas rockets when the next round starts.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it ?
My country has it. Lovely thing. :D
How should taxes be organized?
Progressive. maximum income tax bracket of 60% I think. 2 flat tax brackets on investment.
How should the recession be ended?
Tax reform and Direct investment. (Infrastructure, massive investment in science companies and tech)
Do you support the US Government's Economic Stimulus Plan?
Not quite, not enough spending on infrastructure development or direct investment. Few benefits for the amount spent, although the scale was about right.
Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?
Yes. I also don't see any issues with nationalizing them after the bailout.
Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?
In the US? Yes. In Israel? Yes!

------------------------------------------------------
Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?
I fully support abortion. Up to as late as possible barring health concerns.
Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?
Completely and wholeheartedly. Gay marriages, threesome marriages etc'
Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?
NO. I support the bible being taught as an ideology, same as some other immensely influential forms of literature, but don't think it should be mandatory. (And I violently oppose creationism or ID being taught as science).
Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profantity, sexuality etc.?
Yesssss, but to a limited degree. I don't think you should have full on anal porn on the public airwaves, but I find bleeping retarded.
Maybe something to take advantage of digital broadcasting? Multiple levels of filters and a password. (Say, R8, R15, R18?).
How do you think birth control should be regulated?
On the level of individual doctors maybe. (To prevent health dangers).
Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?)
Don't support. (I've never had it, but it sounds creepy :P).
What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?
Support it. I support it only for violent crimes (serial killers, serial rapists..) or deliberate acts (Say, driving someone to suicide, etc').
How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?
Highly regulated, highly taxed. I don't see the need for private handguns without a job based reason (security guards, etc') which can be done via company based licensing. Guns for hunting have less crime uses and could be licensed for individuals more easily.

--------------------------------------------------
Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?
Fuck yes.
Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?
Yes. Nagasaki is more of a question, but yes in my opinion.
Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?
Yes (parts of it). It's outcomes were in many cases positive (British infrastructure and beurucracy, etc').
Was the American Revolution justified?
No. Damn undertaxed colonial rebels. No representation without taxation for the time!
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Ryan Thunder »

Pint0 Xtreme wrote:
Ryan Thunder wrote:Hold on, I meant I would vote in favour of gay marriage. I thought that was what Pinto was asking.
If voting in favor of equal marriage rights would alleviate social pain and harm upon the LGBT population, would it increase some religious obligation on your part to vote for it? (Going out on a limb here assuming you follow a Judeo-Christian faith)
That's part of why I would do it, yes.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Ryan Thunder »

Also, because I'm not a dick.

(Ghetto edit, forgot to hit "submit")
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Samuel »

And it runs into the problem of whether or not the black people in question believe that the black murderers being executed are actually murderers. Which is unlikely if only blacks are being executed.
Why? If they know that if the police catch them for murder they will be put to death (because they aren't going to get a fair trial) it is an even stronger incentive. The problem is killing innocent people, not that it reduces the incentive.
If anything I'd expect it to encourage murder among any whites who would otherwise be deterred by the law, since they'll assume that the cops will just pick up a black guy and pin the crime on him.
Murder, unlike robbery, is not usually a transferable crime.
Or just irrational in different ways. Or, many of the people who would be arrested for assault and murder here are part of the religious police there and doing so legally. And then there's the question of how accurate that number is; to quote your link:
So you are claiming that the rates are random and we can't understand them? As for accuracy/religious police but that doesn't apply to a bunch of the other nations at the bottom. Chile, Tunisa, Indonesia and Qatar are places that aren't exactly first world but still have low murder rates.
All other types of brutality, dickishness, lawbreaking and the like are completely irrelevant for the US of A, so as long as they're not directed against America. Didn't Dick Cheney visit Kazakhstan and glorify it's Asian despoty?
And Uzbeckistan voted by the Economist as the most oppressive country on the planet :D
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by General Mung Beans »

Stas Bush wrote:
Guardsman Bass wrote:You must be thinking of the Chinese, who don't give a shit what a trading partner does so long as they sell them oil/natural resources, and allow them to do various commercial projects (with largely Chinese work forces imported for the jobs).
America never gives a shit about it's trading partners either, so as long as they don't turn anti-America.

And indeed, anti-Americanism is about the only real criterion which can cause America to sanction your nation, invade it or do other things to make life worse for ya.

All other types of brutality, dickishness, lawbreaking and the like are completely irrelevant for the US of A, so as long as they're not directed against America. Didn't Dick Cheney visit Kazakhstan and glorify it's Asian despoty?
Dick wrote:I have previously expressed my admiration for what has transpired here in Kazakhstan over the past 15 years," he said, "both in terms of economic development as well as political development."
In terms of economic development, Kazakhstan rolled back to the 1960s if not the 1950s. In terms of political development, an oligarchy with Asian despoty roots was formed, religious and nationalist radicalization intensified, education levels fell. Nationalist pogroms, etc.

If you think you're smart trying to get on the "USA is better than China, moral high horse", sorry to spoil that little idea. Indeed, the USA is just the same as Russia and China. It never gives a crap about anything unless that "anything" is threatening U.S. national interests - those of geopolitical or economic dominance.
Than why did the current government of the United States criticize the coup in Honduras even though 1) it was not oppressive compared to Pinochet or Castro and 2) the new government was more likely to be pro-American? We also do not jail and execute internal dissidents. America isn't a saint but it does try to have a conscience unlike China or Russia.
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Simon_Jester »

Samuel wrote:
And it runs into the problem of whether or not the black people in question believe that the black murderers being executed are actually murderers. Which is unlikely if only blacks are being executed.
Why? If they know that if the police catch them for murder they will be put to death (because they aren't going to get a fair trial) it is an even stronger incentive. The problem is killing innocent people, not that it reduces the incentive.
...This seems really obvious to me, Samuel.

Think about it. Assume that blacks accused of murder are sometimes (or often) executed, while whites are never executed. This is proof of strong racial bias in the judiciary. That bias is, realistically, not limited to choice of sentencing. It also affects the reliability of convictions- with the effective standard of evidence being lower for blacks than for whites. This makes it more likely for an innocent black to be convicted (and executed), or for the wrong black to be convicted (and executed). Even if the murder was committed by a black, the lower standard of evidence increases the risk that the wrong black will be convicted (and executed).

All of which encourages blacks, especially those already living on the edge of the law, to view the judiciary as so hopelessly biased against them that it hardly matters whether they commit crimes or not, because they're doomed anyway if simple bad luck comes up against them.
If anything I'd expect it to encourage murder among any whites who would otherwise be deterred by the law, since they'll assume that the cops will just pick up a black guy and pin the crime on him.
Murder, unlike robbery, is not usually a transferable crime.
It can be, if the body is found in a ditch or something.
_____________

On top of this, there's another huge problem with deterrent-based policing: taken to its logical extreme it doesn't work as well as it should. The theory that punishing every criminal terribly even for minor crimes will deter them has been tried over and over for millenia. It's likely as not to create a class of desperate criminals who will do anything to cover their tracks; remember "might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb?"
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Teleros »

Eh, why not. Don't expect me to get drawn into any big debates over this, but here are my answers (bear in mind I'm from the UK as well):
General:
What do you identify yourself politically as?: A classical liberal, mostly. A lot of these questions (esp in the foreign policy section) seem to have a rather strong military bent to them, so blame that for me looking like Shep here :mrgreen: .

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?: Like asking which lunatic should run the asylum. Republicans on economic issues, Democrats on social ones I suppose

What political party in the United Kingdom do you identify with the most?: Tories, voted for them both times I was able to.

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being "He should be impeached" and 10 being "One of the best Presidents" how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?: Bit early, but I'm leaning towards around 4. I don't think his presidency will be looked back on as a successful one.

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?: The USA.

What past politicians and political thinkers have influenced you the most?: JS Mill, Bagehot, Adam Smith & Burke I think are the main ones. Others... yeah it's going to be another one of those long lists.


Foreign Policy
Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operations in Iraq?: Yes. Bush & Blair may have lied about the WMD, but frankly I can forgive them over that if we can succeed in making Iraq into a prosperous part of the international community. Which'll take decades, mind, but there we go.

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operation in Afghanistan?: Yes.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?: The works, if that's what it takes. Not that it should, mind.

What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis and the Cheonham sinking?: Well what can you do? Same old same old I guess.

What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?: Clueless :) .

What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?: It's practically irrelevant now - if it was dissolved tomorrow I'm sure the major players would continue to work together anyway, so... meh.

What should be done about Zimbabwe?: Regime change, by force if necessary.

What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?: For now I'd suggest intervening only if invited, although the idea of using Predator drones on drug barons has a certain appeal.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?: Just keep killing pirates until the buggers learn it isn't profitable. In the long term though, we could use some solutions to stop people entering the piracy business in the first place - preferably ones that don't involve helping the local islamist nutters however.

What should the solution to Israel/Palestine be?: If I knew that I wouldn't be posting it here :P . As to what I think will actually happen... the Palestinians get shafted by Israel. Surprise.


Economy
Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it ?: I'd much rather a mix of public & private - I think there's something to be said for free appointments with the doctor for example, but the NHS is an enormously bloated and inefficient organisation, and cannot provide the level of high-quality care that private health cover often can. Now, making that work, that's the hard part.

How should taxes be organized?: No regressive taxation, and a focus on income tax. Flat taxes are also a good idea, but the two key words should be "simple" and "fair".

How should the recession be ended?: Not raising taxes, perhaps some additional government spending, but frankly half of the problem is perception, and that's a problem with the media.

Do you support the US Government's Economic Stimulus Plan?: No, and certainly not the one passed.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?: No.

Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?: I think it's okay where it is. Too high & people end up not working or working below it illegally.


Social/Moral
Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?: Yes I support it, and I think that the current restrictions are pretty good; I would however seek to try & reduce the number of abortions that are performed for reasons other than medical ones - even if the foetus isn't considered alive, at the very least there's a high chance you're terminating a potential life, and there must be some moral hazard there. How? Mostly stricter requirements & more meetings with qualified people to try & dissuade you - women DO have a right to control their own body, it's just a fact of life that due to how pregnancy works it'll always be a grey area.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?: None of my business how you live your life unless it impacts on mine.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?: If they want it taught they can stick it in the RE classes alongside all the other religious myths, the FSM, and all that stuff.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profantity, sexuality etc.?: I think it's regulated reasonably okay ATM actually. Let's face it, kids find out all about it on the playground anyway :P . I think the only thing I'd change is to slap the "12A" label (or one like it) on most 15 / 18 films (for those that don't know, 12A means you can be 12+ or under and accompanied by an adult). Everyone I know has seen plenty of movies when "too young" for them and turned out okay, if you're stupid & ignore the warnings, then end up with nightmares or something I don't see why a cinema or retailer should have to worry about going to court.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?: Pretty much how it is now.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?): Up to the school, but I wouldn't actually punish pupils who don't follow this rule. I mean, if you go to a religious school you sort of expect, you know, religion...

What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?: I'd have it for murder, treason, paedophilia, terrorism and piracy. I could see it for rape too, where the evidence is compelling.

How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?: Harder for those with criminal records to own (depending on the severity of the offence(s)), should require license & classes / tests to make sure you can use them properly, and proper home safety. Not too fussed about carrying concealed firearms though, and I'm not sure I see the point in some of the assault rifles and god-only-knows what else you can get these days if you're an ordinary civilian.


History
Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?: Yes

Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?: Yes

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?: Yes. I think I agree with Niall Ferguson in his intro to his book "Empire" on this point: bad things happened, but they are in the end outweighed by the good.

Was the American Revolution justified?: Shaky ground in my opinion, but it worked out pretty good so who am I to complain?
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eion
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by eion »

I'm starting to think GMB must work for a polling company...

General:

What do you identify yourself politically as?
Social Libertarian, Rawlsian Economist

What political party in the United States do you identify with the most?
None, I vote for people. Parties ought to be dismantled and made unnecessary.

What political party in the United Kingdom do you identify with the most?
See above.

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being "He should be impeached" and 10 being "One of the best Presidents" how would you rate President Barack Obama of the USA so far?
6, but the last guy was a 2.

What country other then your home country do you favour the most?\
Estonia, Canada, Germany, Costa Rica

What past politicians and political thinkers have influenced you the most?
John Rawls, Kant, Bill Clinton, FDR, Cato the Younger, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Henry David Thoreau, Kat Kinkade, Dossie Easton & Catherine Liszt

Foreign Policy

Do you support the US and Coalition Military Operations in Iraq?
No, why is Iraq special above the dozens of other states with brutal dictators?

Do you support the US/NATO Military Operation in Afghanistan?
No, it should have been targeted at specific people, i.e. the people who attacked us on 9/11. Think Israel's response to the Munich attack. 200 CIA guys working worldwide to infiltrate and destroy Al Qaeda top to bottom to show that attacks on American soil will be met with brutal and lasting violence will have a far greater effect on global security than 100,000 guys being whittled down day after day in a mission that cannot succeed.

Do you support any sort of intervention in Darfur (Military, humanitaritan, etc,)?
Africa needs wholesale aid and infrastructure building. As tragic as it is, the deaths in Darfur pale in comparison to the total crisis in Africa.

What should be done with North Korea on the current nuclear crisis and the Cheonham sinking?
Working with China and Russia to remove their economic/military support of the DPRK, perhaps in exchange for our removing of military support to ROK. It’s been 47 years since the end of hostilities in Korea, we need to get the fuck out at some point.

What is your opinion of the Dokdo dispute between the Republic of Korea and the Empire of Japan?
It’s 46 acres, and less than half those islands are actually dry year round. Who the fuck cares?

What is your opinion of NATO and should it expand across Europe?
NATO is a relic of the cold war. We should direct our efforts and funds towards reforms in the UN to actually make it a functioning body.

What should be done about Zimbabwe?
Continued economic sanctions

What should be done about the Mexican Drug Wars and should the US and other countries intervene?
Legalize pot, MDMA, LSD, and other “soft” drugs, regulate them for quality and tax them. Decriminalize all other controlled substances and direct (read: order) those addicted to same to drug-addiction treatment programs. Drug dealing (Actual proof of drug sales, not just having a lot of drugs) outside government licenses establishments shall be illegal on the same scale as selling liquor without a license. Enact comprehensive immigration reform to further separate illegal border crossings from drug smuggling.

Do you support the military actions against pirates in Somalia and do you think more action should be taken?
International shipping must be secured. Shipping companies should employ their own onboard security forces and an international coalition should interdict any vessels leaving or approaching Somalia. Clandestine services should work to infiltrate and undermine the pirate organizations and discover what if any ties they have to international terror groups.

Economy

Should there be Universal Health Care or if there is in your nation do you support it ?
YES. Single-payer, government funded.

How should taxes be organized?
As simple as possible with as few loopholes as possible. Mathematical progressive tax with no ceiling.

How should the recession be ended?
Increased government spending on infrastructure projects (especially space infrastructure), reestablish the CCC, provide job training & placement (to include training as teachers) to those who qualify and have been on unemployment for long periods, Tighten regulations on banks and employers.

Do you support the US Government's Economic Stimulus Plan?
Yes. Government spending injects more money into the economy than tax cuts do.

Should the automobile companies be bailed out by the US government?
Nationalize them, the banks too. Create new Electric car divisions in each with aim on creating both domestic and export models. Slowly privative them over time.

Is the minimum wage sufficent or not?
No, District out the nation based on standard of living and apply modifiers to a national minimum wage when needed. Outsource the determination of the annual minimum wage adjustment to a non-political and independent organization. Companies will always underpay their employees if they can get away with it.

Social/Moral

Do you support abortion and what restrictions should be placed on it?
It should be free, widely-available, well regulated, and unnecessary for almost everybody.

Do you support gay marriage or civil unions or domestic partnerships?
Whatever you want, I want. I support any private contract between two or more people that codifies their relationship, but I don’t think government should be in the marriage business at all. No special government benefits should be given to one group over another.

Do you think Creationism or Intelligent Design should or should not be taught in school?
NO, full stop. If you want to cover it in a private religious school, that’s fine, but you have to teach a National Science Curriculum as well.

Do you think broadcasting, publishing etc. should be regulated for violence, profantity, sexuality etc.?
No, if you don’t want to watch it, change the channel.

How do you think birth control should be regulated?
Free and available to anyone who wants it.

Do you support prayer in schools and if so how much (voluntary or required?)
No. If a kid wants to pray on the playground for a nice game of four-square, that’s fine, but it cannot be organized nor endorsed by any teachers or school officials. No hate groups (to include the boy scouts) permitted to organize, recruit, meet, or demonstrate (to include the wearing of t-shirts, uniforms, pins, etc.) on school grounds.

What is your opinion of capital punishment and which crimes should it be applied to?
It’s wrong, expensive, ineffective, and wrong.

How much should firearms and other weapons be regulated?
Mandatory registration of all firearms in a database administered by a non-governmental organization which cannot release the information except on a case-by-case basis. Mandatory yearly training and certification in firearm safety (and if you have kids they have to take and pass a class too in order for you to get your license). Strict tracking of large ammunition purchases outside of use at target ranges. The authority to ban specific firearms to be given to a non-government, non-political organization.

History

Was the United States right in going to war against the secessionist Confederate States in the Civil War?
Yes, and we need to finish the job.

Was the United States justified on dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima?
Yes, though I would have sent a film of “the Gadget” in action first, followed by a demonstration detonation within or just outside Tokyo Bay, and then if they still didn’t surrender I would proceed with the bombing.

Was colonialism or at least parts of it justified?
No

Was the American Revolution justified?
Yes
Lord of the Abyss
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Re: The Star Destroyer BBS Political Survey

Post by Lord of the Abyss »

Samuel wrote:
And it runs into the problem of whether or not the black people in question believe that the black murderers being executed are actually murderers. Which is unlikely if only blacks are being executed.
Why? If they know that if the police catch them for murder they will be put to death (because they aren't going to get a fair trial) it is an even stronger incentive. The problem is killing innocent people, not that it reduces the incentive.
As said, they aren't going to believe that whether they commit a crime makes any difference. They won't worry about being caught committing murder; they'll worry about being caught having the wrong color skin.
Samuel wrote: Murder, unlike robbery, is not usually a transferable crime.
Of course it is. Just ignore the white guy running away carrying a bloody machete, arrest the black guy sitting down eating a hamburger; and use the fact that he was "eating a hamburger after he murdered her" to demonstrate how depraved and deserving of death he is.

Since when did racists care about the truth? A "justice" system that is highly racist in terms of sentencing is going to be racist in all sorts of other ways as Simon_Jester points out. Almost as important in terms of keeping order, people are going to believe that such a blatantly racist system does that sort of thing even if it doesn't, and act accordingly.
"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." - John Rogers
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