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@Arden: Have to say, I can't agree with that and I wouldn't vote for someone who wanted to do that. Some drugs? Yeah. All? No way. I respect your stance, but I definitely don't agree.
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@loveisstrange: I know it's not a popular view. I also believe in legalizing prostitution (in controlled, safe, liscensed brothels and NOT pimps or street prostitution) but not many people agree with me on that front either. That's okay though - to each their own!
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@loveisstrange: agreed. I would never support the legalization of every drug. There are some i would be okay with (ex: pot) but def not all.
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I would recommend those interested in the legalizing drugs argument to look into how the drug system works in Switzerland and what it has done for their crime rates, drug related deaths, etc.
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@Arden: I actually agree with legalizing prostitution.
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@MrsMcD: if they found a cost effective way to do this, I would have no problem with it. I don't see why drug testing is a problem. You're asking the govt (taxpayers) for help. I don't see why there can't be strings attached to that help.
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@Arden: I'd vote for you
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@loveisstrange: but would you still want to know a candidate's religious beliefs? I'm a believer in separation of church and state, but I definitely want to know their religious views.
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@Mae:
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@Happygal: why does it matter though? I guess I could see sort of… I'd be uncomfortable voting for someone who is from a super conservative religion that I know opposes basic human rights. But at the same time, if they're not allowed to discuss their religion at all how could they possibly justify policies in furtherance of that? Right now politicians don't even try to hide the fact that they are making policy on behalf of their church.
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I would love for everyone to spend a day in the booking portion of a county jail and then have a chat about drug use and crime in our country.
Oh there is so much I would do a president of our country that would cause the majority of citizens to not vote for me!
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@loveisstrange: I think the problem with not being allowed to disclose religion is that so many policies are pursued because of an individual's beliefs.
For instance: I wouldn't want to vote for someone who had beliefs that were completely incongruous to mine because policy is going to be formed in that direction. For instance, I can't support a candidate who says they are anti-abortion and wants to repeal abortion rights.
On the other hand, I don't agree with voting for someone for the simple reason that they are of the same religion as you.
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@Mae: I don't believe people are blank slates. Religious beliefs are bound to influence someone's decisions.
I think someone could be quietly motivated by their religious beliefs, but could use non-religious rationales to promote their agendas. Politicians are clever/sneaky like that! I'd rather it all be up front.
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@Happygal: I guess I just think it will be obvious. Like they would still have to answer questions about their policy positions, right? So if someone tells me they are pro-life and for "traditional marriage" then I automatically put them in my "hellzzzzno" box. Which is the same box they end up in if I was aware that they are practicing southern baptists. The difference, I think, is that either way I know who they are, but I think it would be harder for them to justify their points without using the bible.
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I would make higher education free or incredibly inexpensive.
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@Arden: totally agree. If we eant to talk about wasting taxpayer money, the war on drugs has been a huge waste with no results.
The problem is we tend to focus on the supply. We crack down on drug routes through Europe, they show up in Mexico. We crack down on heroin, people turn to prescription drugs. It's like playing whack a mole. We should focus more on demand and increasing mental health access as well as research on chronic pain. We don't though because people don't like spending money on drug addicts, even if it woukd actually help the problem. They woukd rather spend money on crime.
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I would require teaching of foreign languages, most likely Spanish and french. More than just the Spanish 1 we have now in highschool- make it something that is actually taught and used.
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I'm not American but I would do something to the laws that ensured politicians actually acted in the best interests of the people and stopped fighting amongst themselves like badly behaved toddlers!
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@MrsMcD: want to give an example of something that would make you unpopular? Share!
@mae: I don't want to offend anyone's religious choices, so I'll just leave it at this: there are some religions with beliefs that I don't think would necessarily come out through those types of questions. And that makes me way too nervous! We can wall each other to further discuss if you want.
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@Happygal: Shoot no! I've said too much already. I love hellobee for baby and TTC purposes. It amazing me when people (including myself!) get caught up in debates that reach outside that realm. And as a super conservative gal, I am sure to ignite some debates if I were to provide an example as you have requested! I will save that for my day job.
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@Danizaur: as someone who was in higher ed for awhile, my first reaction was to do a fist bump when reading this! I do wonder though about the psychology of money--people often think that a higher price tag = higher quality. Would making something free lower the perception of quality?
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@Happygal: hmm possibly! But if that were the standard then maybe not. If all schools were funded equally by the government to provide free tuition, then where would Harvard stand vs a community college? Maybe alumni would provide extra funding?
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I would increase pay and hiring requirements for teachers, to make it a more coveted and respected position.
I'd also require all gun owners to take basic gun safety and gun storage classes, and to get a license from the state that certifies they passed a test. I am ok with gun ownership, but there is not enough standards and training out there and too many gun owners who don't take responsibility for their mistakes.
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@mrbee: In Canada, it is a requirement to take a safety course! Its a great great law!
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@Arden: i guess I mean life sentence actually mean life. Until they die. However, I am not a fan of taxpayers paying for their stay, but that is a WHOLE new topic!
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Make it a law that we can't cut funding by a certain percentage for social welfare issues. The most vulnerable are always the ones who get the shortest end of the stick. Funding for programs for the less fortunate are always the first to get budget cuts and it sickens me!
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@mrbee: As a teacher, I agree on your first point! Mostly, the hiring requirements (although more $ and respect would be nice too!).
Here in FL, anyone with a 4 year degree can walk into a classroom and teach ANY subject, as long as they pass the subject exam test (which are quite simple in my opinion). They have no training on delivering curriculum, working with/managing students, and other extremely important aspects that are required to successfully teach each day. These 'teachers' then go through a very condensed training which is suppose to replace the traditional education obtained at the collegiate level. If I didn't have the knowledge and skills I learned during my Masters program, I wouldn't be half the teacher I am today. Oh, and I don't get paid extra for having my Masters.
/end rant.
I also strongly agree with those of you that mentioned a life skills course in HS. I have proposed this idea to my principal before...and will continue to do so.
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CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM!!!! Not sure on the specifics, but something like federal funding of elections that only last 6-8 weeks.
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@Arden: was that book you quoted in the other thread by Rick Steves?
I have lived in Switzerland and frequented a Starbucks near the famed drug park that used to be behind the train station in Zurich. There are no blue lights in the bathroom, nor have I seen these needle vending machines ( pregnancy test and condoms, yes). It is my understanding though, that drugs are not legal. My husband is snoring away otherwise I would ask him as I am genuinely curious now.
They also institutionalize their addicts and people with disabilities and while prostitution is legal, that only works because the government mandates everyone must have self paid health insurance.
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(1) Make automatic weapons illegal.
(2) Mandate 1 year of paid parental leave that could be taken by either parent of a new child or split between both parents. -
@looch: Yep.
You are correct though - to my knowledge the production and selling of drugs is still illegal in Switzerland (I think?) but I think the country has taken some fantastic steps in the right direction. There's some good information here: http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69O3VI20101025?irpc=932 -
@Arden: I agree they have taken steps in the right direction, but I have also seen people shoot up on the tram.
The problem seems to be that the addicts that do not get treated are the ones that are not Swiss. I think there's a statistic that something like 90% of the prison population are non Swiss. They're notorious for helping their own, which is why their policies are crafted as they are. Not a citizen, go home. It's not all chocolate and gold coins over there.
Eta: thanks for the link!
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