Having listened to McCain's speeches, I'd like to also stress the Liberal Judges issue. McCain is for Campagin Finance Reform, but he's likely to appoint Conservative judges that would overturn that. And Obama states that he is for the death penatly for child rape, but he's likely to appoint Liberal judges that would overturn that. So in a way, the judges that they are appointing is going against what they personally 'believe'.
I think the "judical issues" should be paid attention to as well, as opposed to 'stated positions', which can change at whim (based on new facts, willingness to compromise, blah).
For example, I consider myself a Conservative. But if we use LCS positions:
Abortion: Er. I'm on the Conservative spectrum, because I do believe a fetus, when it reaches a certain stage, is living, especially when it is viable outside the womb. If I had power however, I wouldn't ban abortion, because, well, society likes abortion. Depending on how willing I am to compromises on nuances...C-M. (-1)
Animal research: M. Prefer some restrictions on it, just on general ethical grounds. Don't harm puppies for no reason. On the other hand, don't ban animal research. (0)
Law enforcement: L. I support having law officers being regulated. (+1)
Privacy Law: L. I support privacy. (+1)
Death Penalty: C-M. Partly Deterrence, partly because murdering people works (see LCS). (-1)
Gay Rights: If you consider that opposing Gay Marriage (and calling for Civil Unions for all) but being okay with everything else as "L", then L. But if you consider Gay Marriage as inherently a major part of what Gay Civil Rights are, then C. (-1)
Corporate Regulation: M. You have to have some corporate regulations, but not enough to choke innovation. Just enough to ensure corporations don't act stupid. (0)
Free Speech: M. Some people might be offended. So ban offensive speech. (0)
Flag burning: L+. Flag burning is not considered offensive to me. I'm willing to change my position though. (+2)
Guns: C. No Rocket launchers on my street. (-1)
Taxation: M. Taxes are somewhat good, somewhat bad, cutting taxes can stimulate growth, but also cause problems. I don't think I want to cut taxes too heavily and cause defict growth, nor raise them and lower economic growth needlessly. (0)
Pollution: L. Don't restrict businesses' ability to grow, but at the same time, make sure the Earth does not get choked. (+1)
5-4=1. According to LCS, I am a True Moderate, leaning liberal. (If you assume that I am in fact M on Abortion and L on Gay Rights, then that even flips me to be somewhat 'Liberal'.)
But that's not true at all! That's completely not true, especially since I don't believe that there are such things as 'moderates', only center-right and center-left. And when it come down to it, I usually prefer keeping things as they are (not changing at all), so that makes me a Conservative. Yet LCS' system brands me as a True Moderate. I don't really think this system would be THAT useful.
But yes. The main thing is that this system usually takes into account what people SAY. That's it. What people say. It has very little to do with what people DO. For example, if I get elected, and I support confirmation of a Conservative Judge, I am implictly agreeing to everything that Conservative Judge does, even if I claim support for Moderation or Liberalism. Simarily, if I confirm a Liberal Judge. If I support keeping taxation as it is in speech, but secretly raises 'fees', I may technically be a Moderate on Taxation, but in actuality be a Liberal.
I could lie all the time how these 'fees' are not 'taxes', but I doubt that's going to matter, or how my appointment of a Conservative judge does not at all affect abortion rights, or how this new SUPERPATRIOT ACT does not harm privacy at all and in fact bloster privacy, but I would think very low of the LCS if they take my words at face value and call me a 'Moderate'.
Author
Topic: Are we winning? (Read 6651 times)