Old Weird Ward
Unless otherwise noted, that which is posted here is opinion, which is protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. If you don't like my opinions, go somewhere else. Nobody is forcing you to actually read this drivel.
The presumption exists that you can read at all.
That may be a large assumption.
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Tuesday, July 06, 2004
- - - - - Who Is Old Weird Ward, Politically? - - - - -
I like to regard myself as a "conservative" - and there's just a little itty-bitty problem with that.
My definition of "conservative" doesn't exactly jibe with Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Hannity, or Medved (Sorry, Mike, I know we went to the same high school at the same time, but we don't agree on everything, thank God!)
I tend toward an engineering thing - "If it ain't broke, don't 'fix' it."
TAXES - Less, to a degree, is better. Some taxes are necessary, whether local or national, to provide for those things that the citizenry (see "Voting", below) decide is appropriate for the group to provide. I can damn well decide how to spend my money. And let's face it, folks, it really is my money. Constitutionally mandated (Go ahead, READ the son-of-a-gun!) group responsibility is the limit of my responsibility.
ABORTION - This is really a no-brainer. I cannot have babies. I can't get pregnant. I do not have a right to an opinion. If I get laid, and the woman in question DOES get pregnant, I do indeed have a responisibility, IF the kid is mine. Testing will tell. IF it is my kid, then, and ONLY THEN does my responsibility kick in. Otherwise, it really isn't my opinion that counts.
WELFARE - If it ain't my kid, it ain't my problem. I'll contribute (and I do) to whatever local charitable organization takes a little care of un-partnered pregnant women or single mothers, but that should NOT be a governmental (that is, MY tax dollars) responsibility. If you're gonna copulate outside of marriage, the results are NOT my problem, unless I choose to contribute.
VOTING - Get out there and VOTE! Just don't do it "Chicago style". I don't care what your party (if any) is - it really is your vote, and it really does count. If you don't vote, don't bitch. I'm leaning more and more towards a "voter qualification", based on paying of taxes. If you don't pay taxes, whether income or property, in some nominal amount ($100/year? $500?), then you do not vote. A retired person would have some nominal lifetime amount paid in taxes - maybe $1000? Discussion, please! In my opionion, a person should have some monetary stake in the government before being allowed to vote for persons or measures that determine what taxes are levied. Ethnic grouping, and sexual orientation discrimination is NOT allowed.
GUNS - I'm in favor of an armed citizenry. It keeps the politicians polite , as outlined in the Federalist Papers. Also, an armed citizenry tends to make the goblins think twice. And no, the Second Amendment is NOT a "collective" right - it is individual and perfectly clear. READ it (and the Federalist Papers), then we can argue. By the way, MY armament is confidential. I do have a baseball bat. Whatever else I might have is MY business. And yes, I'm a cranky old gent with a bad attitude and a worse disposition.
FOREIGN POLICY - Australia and Great Britain have proven themselves, over and over again, to be our friends, even when it costs them. Canada is our neighbor, and mostly, our friend. Mexico is our neighbor, and sometimes our friend, unless it costs them. Cuba is our neighbor, and is our enemy. China (the PRC) is our Main Enemy. Taiwan is our friend. Israel is a democracy, and is mostly our friend. (BTW, should we turn the Israelis loose on the Palestinians? Instead of restraining them? Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I say "yes". Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, I say "no". Sunday is reserved for the funny pages and fulminating at idiot editorials.)
LAWS - Less is better. Plain English is better. Fewer lawyers is better.
SCHOOLS - Parental involvement with their own children is the key here. Schools are NOT baby sitting providers. It's fairly well known that when a parent, or set of parents, sits down with their kids while homework is being done that schooling results (as shown on "standardized" tests) rise. See that kid with the high SAT scores? I'll bet some serious money that the kid has had at least one parent available and willing at homework time. Also, read the recent rants of Dr. William Cosby, PhD. (Yes, he really does have one. A real one, not "honorary".)
LAW ENFORCEMENT - Every society needs rules, and good and faithful servants to enforce those laws. That being said, I am the citizen of a Republic. I am not a subject. I demand that my civil servants behave politely, and if they don't, I reserve the right to be just as rude as I please. AND...since when do I have to prove to MY civil servants that I am who I say I am? Kiss my smelly old feet, George! And, since when do I have to ask anyone's permission to have an opinion about anything? And to voice that opinion? PC or not? First Amendment, dammit! And if the "civil masters" don't like it, they can come, hat in hand, to talk to me. Personally. Politely.
Well, that about covers the main points.
I'm a citizen, not a subject. I am not easily led. And, if I'm lied to, I get cranky, and I will let you know about it. If you just stand up, and tell the truth as you see it, and if you don't weasel, I'll respect you. I may not like you, but I'll respect you.
This essay was written in about ten minutes, off the cuff, and I know darned well I missed something. From time to time, I'll make additions/alterations, and repost the entire thing.
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