All the C's in the World

Part I. - Presidential Preference

I don't know if Lydon Larouche is actively seeking the nomination again, but I know Mike Gravel is. Apparently the DCCC doesn't. What a shame that a leader opposed to the Vietnam idiocy is completely left out. Otherwise I'd say Dennis.

Part II. - Financial Support

You can't even get to the last page before the pitch ? Yikes.

Part III. - Campaign Strategy

Basically, which Dem strategy is key ? A.) grassroots B.) radio and TV ads C.) Legislative success D.) all things smart . . .

Except for part C, it sounds like the average four libertarians trying to change the world at the monthly meeting. The difference being that they have grassroots and money for advertising and a fifty fifty chance of winning.

Part IV. - Legislative Priorities

Please rank the priorities - all the usual - energy, health care, Iraq, retirement, middle class tax cuts, education, jobs, global warming, fiscal responsibility, ethics, stem cells and finally terrorism.

Part V. - Restoring Strong Leadership in Congress

1. How important is eliminating the Republican culture of corruption in Congress to restoring the public faith's in our government ?

wow . . . talk leading with your chin. At 29% approval rating (or is lower ?) you can only get away with talk about corruption because so many sex scandals pop up on the GOP side.

2. How important is it for Congress to reassert its constitutionally mandated role as a co-equal branch of government and once again fulfill oversight responsibilities ?

Is this code for impeach Bush before '08 ? Co-equal ? Where does the Supreme Court fit into that ? Even if Greens and Libertarians took over both houses and the Presidency the old SC would hold judicial review over them for at least twenty years. By then the panic would set back in and we'd start voting Red & Blue back in.

3. How important is breaking the GOP's "pay to play" link between lobbyists and legislation ?

Right. Like you care or believe that. No, I don't support public financing and hate the fact that it would actually help the third party effort because winner take all makes all this the case.

4. How aggressively should Democrats investigate potentially illegal and unconstitutional actions by the Bush Administration ?

Um, about as much as you are now is what I suspect will happen. Invading another country without a declaration as stated in the Constitution is pretty much the end of the Constitution. It just isn't taken seriously be enough regular people or manipulating elites.

Part VI. - Iraq, other foreign policy & terrorism

Rate Bush's handling of the war in Iraq. It seems more like an occupation.

Should Democrats press for a time frame ? No money equals time to come home. A proportionally representative system would allow for smaller parties to press for such items and give Democrats an excuse to either for one or blame the pressure from a coalition partner.

Aside from Iraq, how's George doing with the rest of the world ? Pakistan wouldn't be such an embarrassment if only he had Richard Holbrooke. If you're going to take out a nutty dictator with actual nuclear weapons, history might have had mixed reaction to the real end of the cold war.

How has the international community's perception of America changed under the Bush Administration ? About the same as it has had in the last fifty years. It seems to threaten the world with annihilation for a while, but is forced to change suits and desk at least every eight years. They'll be equally shocked when Kucinich takes the oath with the red-headed amazon next to him.

What political party do you trust the most to combat terrorism and protect America against future attacks ? The Prohibition Party. They are very honest about their goals.

How important is it for Congress to implement the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission ? Three planes hit three buildings and people died needlessly. It won't happen again. Something else may, but why waste billions trying to figure out something you can't prevent anyway ?

Part VII. - The Economy

How would you rate the current state of the American economy ? On the precipice, the war and future unfunded liabilities will force the rest of the world to shift paradigms to our detriment. Allowing credit bubbles to extend past each crisis is a formula for eventual collapse. Hope it doesn't get real ugly.

Which of the following would strengthen our nation's economy ? The only choices being tax breaks for the wealthy or the middle class ? Absurd.

Currently my most pressing personal financial concern is: whether or not all my assets will go poof if Chinese financial groups undermine the currency and an American meltdown ensues because we can't control spending. Otherwise it's just lunch money and gas for me anymore.

How important is raising the minimum wage to the economic security of working families ? Guess that depends on how you might look at families. More will come from other countries and work in a black market economy and undermine the minimum anyway. While I may not choose to label them criminal, I still wonder why we don't raise it to $50 an hour. Everyone could afford health care at that point.

Part VIII. - Retirement Security - Social Security & Medicare

Which political party do you trust most to guarantee your retirement security ? Again, only two choices. I'm sticking with myself and the LP on this one.

Do you favor or oppose renewed republican efforts to privatize SS ? Yes if it maintains a compulsory element and just shuffles the mandatoriness to favored financial institutions. Make it optional all around.

Is protecting the Social Security retirement benefits promised to America's seniors more important than more big tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans ? Not to me. I don't count on a government benefit and my income does not benefit the government. The obvious pushiness of this question gives the right greater fodder.

Should the Medicare prescription drug benefit plan be reformed to make it less confusing to seniors ? One trillion dollars later, "Mrs. Smith you need only fill out part A, B and C now."

Should the Medicare drug benefit plan be reformed to allow the government to negotiate lower prices with the big drug companies ? No. It just sounds like more trouble than it's worth.

Part IX. - Education

How does America's educational system rank compared to other industrialized nations ? Seems like their socialized teaching does a better job. More languages, math skills and sciences.

How seriously will the Republican failure to fully fund the No Child Left Behind Act impact our children's future ? I'm not sure about your kids, but mine will learn to read and write regardless of what goes on at school.

Do you think the federal government should provide more aid to Americans who want to continue their education beyond high school ? What if this said, should taxpayers subsidize four years of partying and a worthless liberal arts degree ?

Part X. - Energy and the Environment

How concerned are you about Republican proposals to weaken Clean Air and Clean Water Act protections ? Not very considering the Federal government is one of the biggest polluters and that China and India are going to kill the air and water first.

How serious a threat do you consider global warming ? Not as serious as the threat of all those who want to do something about it.

Rate the Bush Administration's response to global warming. Good for Al Gore, bad for Rush Limbaugh.

Should Congress investigate allegations of price gouging by Big Oil companies ? Even verifiable truth and conviction in court wouldn't make the absurdity of such a concept any clearer.

Should Congress eleiminate the GOP's multibillion-dollar subsidies for Big Oil ? Yep. Keep going into agri-business and any other corporate welfare that puts any player in a free market at a disadvantage. No corporate welfare, anywhere.

Part XI. - Health Care

Should every American be guaranteed access to quality health care ? For the most part they are. Government mandated health care will definately reduce quality.

Should Congress take steps to extend universal health care coverage to every child ? How about food, shelter and clothing ? Don't the states pick up these tabs anyway ?

Should Congress extend health care coverage to all low-income Americans who can't afford it ? No. I'll still say no until they force the needle in my arm . . .

Should scientists and doctors be allowed to pursue stem cell research for the treatment of Alzheimer's etc. ? Does the government have any legitimate role in preventing it ?