When the United States Government sent me my voter’s registration form, it listed three options: Democratic Party, Republican Party, and Independent. Now, after some in-depth discussions with some of my government classmates and some long reflection, I feel guilty that I registered as a democrat. I believe in many aspects of the Democratic Party’s platform, but since they do not more closely match my own, I am not completely represented in this year’s presidential election. Perhaps I should form my own party. If I did, its platform would fall in between those of the two primary political parties. To translate my general views into simple terms, I am (in a sense) a political conservative and a social liberal. I believe in minimal government influence. The government should protect people’s right, including the right to life. Yes, I support health regulations. I also believe very strongly in international diplomacy to resolve tensions rather than preemptive military action. The government’s sole purpose must always be the protection of its people and their rights; not to tell people what is good for their country and acting independently.
With regard to specific issues: gay marriage should not even be on the ballot. It is a social issue, not a governmental concern. And for the record, it should be legal. No citizen should be allowed to own a handgun or automatic weapon. Abortion and stem cell research should be legal. Homeland Security should change its name to one that is not so arrogant and elitist. Immigration control should be loosened; this country was not founded to keep people out. The environment should be equal with the economy on the nation’s list of priorities. Education should be reformed and No Child Left Behind abolished. The door to the death penalty should remain open, but the list of what constitutes a capital crime revised. All economic and environmental decisions must account for both. These points are not arguments, but stances on a political platform. Please comment with any questions about the Hargrove Party’s position on any other political issue or the ones listed above. Vote Hargrove.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Issues of Primary Importance
1. Energy: Like many Californians, I am a strong advocate for investing money and research into legitimizing alternative energies for economic use. I believe that while part of gaining energy independence through acquiring a domestic source of oil, this solution can be temporary at best. We do not want to buy oil from our enemies in the Middle East and Venezuela, but we do not want to further destroy the environment and change the climate. Investment in energy is paramount to our economic success, national security, and environmental preservation.
2. Economic Stimulus: Normally this issue would not be second on my list, but the flagrant need for a boost in the economy requires my (and perhaps several other people’s) attention. The country is bordering on recession and people are quickly loosing jobs. Since one of America’s core strengths as a world power is economic prosperity, maintaining it is vital to the nation’s well-being. The economy must be stimulated quickly and effectively, and so trumps many rival issues in importance.
3. Iraq: I do not know the exact figure, but America shovels about $10 billion a month into Iraq. Almost no one denies anymore that Washington led America there under false pretenses and anyone who reads a newspaper has waited for success there that will never come. The term “Iraq War” is a poor characterization—this is not a war, but an occupation. No one can win an occupation. That is why talk of victory is misleading and would keep America’s troops in Iraq indefinitely. Now more than ever, this country cannot afford, in any sense of the word, to remain in Iraq. No one is suggesting withdrawal from Afghanistan of the search for Bin Laden; but America’s interests lie in extricating itself from Iraq.
2. Economic Stimulus: Normally this issue would not be second on my list, but the flagrant need for a boost in the economy requires my (and perhaps several other people’s) attention. The country is bordering on recession and people are quickly loosing jobs. Since one of America’s core strengths as a world power is economic prosperity, maintaining it is vital to the nation’s well-being. The economy must be stimulated quickly and effectively, and so trumps many rival issues in importance.
3. Iraq: I do not know the exact figure, but America shovels about $10 billion a month into Iraq. Almost no one denies anymore that Washington led America there under false pretenses and anyone who reads a newspaper has waited for success there that will never come. The term “Iraq War” is a poor characterization—this is not a war, but an occupation. No one can win an occupation. That is why talk of victory is misleading and would keep America’s troops in Iraq indefinitely. Now more than ever, this country cannot afford, in any sense of the word, to remain in Iraq. No one is suggesting withdrawal from Afghanistan of the search for Bin Laden; but America’s interests lie in extricating itself from Iraq.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Questions to Our Prospective Presidents
1. What role will your faith play in your foreign policy decisions with regard to the Middle East?
2. Republicans and Democrats both claim to be "reaching across the aisle." If elected, will you surround yourself with appointees of both parties? Will you favor your party over the other?
3. In the Vice Presidential debate, Senator Joe Biden mentioned that Dick Cheney is perhaps the most dangerous VP in American history. If elected, will you make efforts to limit vice presidential power that has increased during Bush's terms as president?
2. Republicans and Democrats both claim to be "reaching across the aisle." If elected, will you surround yourself with appointees of both parties? Will you favor your party over the other?
3. In the Vice Presidential debate, Senator Joe Biden mentioned that Dick Cheney is perhaps the most dangerous VP in American history. If elected, will you make efforts to limit vice presidential power that has increased during Bush's terms as president?
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Will I Vote?
I have waited 18 years to vote. I have read stories of citizens in oppressed lands who risk life and limb who stood in line for the mere chance to vote and influence change in their governments. My right to vote is a cherished privilege. To abstain would be to spit in the faces of those who cannot vote, as well as those who sacrificed their lives for my right to vote. I feel proudly obligated to cast my vote. Besides, there is at least one very ill-informed American out there whose vote I cannot wait to cancel out.
I do not necessarily believe that McCain or Obama can prevent further political and economical turmoil (though I think one will be more effective in his efforts), but I feel, as I said, obligated and proud to participate in the democratic (or more accurately Republic I suppose) process. I know that all politicians would say anything to get elected, so it is very difficult to trust either candidate to stay true to his campaign words. I will vote for the one I think will best represent my view. I will vote because I want to have a hand in nudging Bush out of office; and in a few years when McCain comes under heavy fire for his Bush-esque policies, I will be able to say that I did not vote for him; but still I will have voted.
I do not necessarily believe that McCain or Obama can prevent further political and economical turmoil (though I think one will be more effective in his efforts), but I feel, as I said, obligated and proud to participate in the democratic (or more accurately Republic I suppose) process. I know that all politicians would say anything to get elected, so it is very difficult to trust either candidate to stay true to his campaign words. I will vote for the one I think will best represent my view. I will vote because I want to have a hand in nudging Bush out of office; and in a few years when McCain comes under heavy fire for his Bush-esque policies, I will be able to say that I did not vote for him; but still I will have voted.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
What is an American?
The most consistent method of identifying Americans as a people is to examine their history. Americans trace their values and ideals to those detailed in their founding documents.
This nation sprang forth from Britain, gaining independence in the late 1700s. The Founding Fathers created a country in the hope that its people would never be subject to the oppression they faced when under British rule. To ensure this, they established a flexible government structure.
The Bill of Rights enables and ageless quality of the Constitution, ensuring that today's Americans have their guns, their free speech, worship, and right to revolt. The average American holds firmly to the rights to vote, to influence governmental affairs. S/he is proud of our fundamental government structure; our rights to privacy and a fair and speedy trial. If nothing else, Americans are rights-oriented to the core. They feel entitled to free education, freedom to travel, and to live. Americans become agitated as governmental transparency blurs and federal officials ignore the public will which initially placed them in office. That is the face of the average modern American.
This nation sprang forth from Britain, gaining independence in the late 1700s. The Founding Fathers created a country in the hope that its people would never be subject to the oppression they faced when under British rule. To ensure this, they established a flexible government structure.
The Bill of Rights enables and ageless quality of the Constitution, ensuring that today's Americans have their guns, their free speech, worship, and right to revolt. The average American holds firmly to the rights to vote, to influence governmental affairs. S/he is proud of our fundamental government structure; our rights to privacy and a fair and speedy trial. If nothing else, Americans are rights-oriented to the core. They feel entitled to free education, freedom to travel, and to live. Americans become agitated as governmental transparency blurs and federal officials ignore the public will which initially placed them in office. That is the face of the average modern American.
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