Issues and Comments in Politics: Articles of Interest from a Liberal Point of View

This Hub is not intended as a History Lesson, so I just want to say one thing before we get started. The nature of people and society is based on a few factors: Survival, Expansion, and Greed. This is my opinion-but when you search throughout History, even Ancient History, there is always War and Persecution . Whether it be fighting for Land, Food, Religion, or Natural Resources, someone wins and someone looses.

On that note, we are lucky to be on this land in the first place because it was not necessarily ours; we took it by force and with help of spreading diseases to those who were native to this land (and most likely, they migrated here, too.)

OK, now that I got that off my chest, I would like to dive into my own conscience and personal beliefs.

Some of you might be shocked by my stance on certain American Social Issues. I do tend to be Liberal on most matters, but some things I just can't accept.

So here goes:

• I am a 33 year old White Male, living in New England.
• I am 5'4" (my wife is even shorter!) and I am a Catholic-Christian (I have some of my own views on Catholicism, but that could be a latter Hub!). I have studied other religions and I believe in many ideals, particularly within the Buddhist way of life.
• My Wife was born in Cambodia and her family escaped the infamous "Khmer Rouge" after many years of living in and out of Refuge Camps throughout Thailand, the Philippines, and other small South East Asian countries. My Father In Law was one of the very few who were arrested and released; he was imprisoned for over 6 months.
• I am a step-dad to 3 great kids!

• I DO NOT Support Abortion. I don't believe in it at all; no one has the right to take a life! (The Roe v. Wade case was decided on January 22 , 1973, my birthday is January 22, 1978. I could have been aborted!?!)
• I DO NOT Support the Death Penalty; again, no one has the right to take another person's life. (Check out the information on this Hub regarding the Death Penalty)
• I DO NOT Support War unless it is truly necessary; fighting for your Freedom or for Food is good; fighting for OIL is not.

Now here comes a twist that I realize conflicts with my opinion that "No one has the right to take another person's life" :

• I SOMEWHAT Support Euthanasia. (What the hell does that mean? I guess I'm "on the fence".)

Now I know that it doesn't make sense and I really am conflicted by this. If someone is in so much pain that they can't lead any resemblance of a comfortable life, and where death is eminent and soon, maybe that person should be able to obtain a "Merciful" death. After all, many cancer patients actually die from Morphine Overdose. I think that this is the only situation where I bend my own rule. I am still trying to sort out my feelings on this!

• Personally, I think if someone commits suicide, they CAN go to heaven. They are emotionally and mentally ill and need help. It is a very sad thing for their family, as this can almost always be prevented. Who are we to say that they aren't welcome in God's eyes? Like LIFE itself, God is the one who is in charge and we have no right to judge someone who goes down this painful road.

• I Support GAY MARRIAGE because it's none of my business; no one told me who I could marry or what religion I have to follow. If two people want to commit their lives to each other, I have no authority to stop them. Who the hell am I to judge?

Believe it or not, I support SMALLER GOVERNMENT. So much money is wasted each year on government agencies that do nothing! I recently read an article online while searching news on my Droid (I wish I saved the link!) stating that U.S. Marshals have been arrested more times then their agency has made arrests! What about all the stupid "Earmarks" that are attached to bills before they pass? Major government waste! If we reduced the size and budget of the government then we can have more money to help those who need it. (This is where I get "Social").

We already have Public Schools, Public Fire & Police, so why not Public Healthcare? It's not right for those that make the most money pay for other people's healthcare , so the government should acquire the money needed by cutting back and shrinking itself instead of implementing more taxes. Like any other agency, a National Healthcare System will have to be run correctly to avoid corruption.

Taxes stink but it's part of life. I don't think American's should be "drowned" in taxes so we need to make taxes fair for all. I don't think it is a bad thing to Close Corporate Tax Loopholes. Big corporations should pay their fair share of taxes. Why is the burden of taxes put on people who are barely surviving while these corporate CEO's make millions...BILLIONS of tax-free money? Everyone should pay a fair share of taxes, period!

Personally, I feel that there are way too many laws in this country.

One huge problem we are facing today is that our jails are over-crowded and many of the people incarcerated are not "criminals", they are drug addicts.

People who are addicted to drugs should not go to jail.

They should be able to receive the help they need to get over their addiction and lead a productive life with a positive lifestyle.

Instead of committing these people to jails, we should commit them to institutions that can actually help them. This would also be a better use of our tax dollars.

I would rather help an addict complete a successful program that will help him rather than just pay for him to eat and sleep. This should be common sense!

Now here is something that many people may not agree with.

For the record, I Do Not Condone Drug Use!

With that said, I do not believe that Marijuana is a "Drug".

OK, yes it may change people's sensory perceptions, but doesn't caffeine, cough medicine , and many of the "Prescribed" drugs by Doctors?

I do not think that people should sit and smoke the weed all day, but if people wished to grow it and use it on their own Private Property , I really don't see the harm.

I think we should Legalize Marijuana and allow people to grow it.

If everyone who wanted it had access to it, then why would they have to go through great lengths to buy it?

They wouldn't; therefore there would be no reason for people to sell it illegally, which would reduce crime, and "Marijuana Smuggling" into the country would not exist!That would save a lot of lives!

Marijuana is used for medicinal purposes all over the world. Many countries, particularly in South East Asia, grow it and use it when they have certain ailments. Ironically, there is not much of a "Drug Problem" within these communities.

Here's a quick one: I Believe that any Convicted Felon Who Has Served His Time, regardless of what his crime was, Should Have The Right To Vote: ALL Free People Should Be Able To Vote.

All Free People Should Have The Right To Bear Arms. Personally, I am not a big gun fan, but I do believe in the Constitution of the United States of America and I think that we should enforce it by all means. "GUN CONTROL" doesn't work. People who want to commit crimes with the use of firearms will commit these crimes, regardless of any law!

Well folks, these are my personal opinions and beliefs. I encourage all who read to comment and vote in the polls above!