Where I Stand

I am a conservative Democrat at least in terms of social and national security issues, but am definitely not a Republican. I don't believe in trickle down economics, tax cuts for the rich or bashing labor unions. We need to repeal right to work laws which keep unions from effectively organizing in many states. I support expanding access to health care. I favor increased spending on education and job training. I am in favor of public funding of campaigns because it would reduce the influence of big business interests. I feel that Bush's decision to intervene in Iraq has been a distraction to the real war on terror and and needlessly cost American lives. I am opposed to privatizing Social Security and Medicare. We should all support fair trade and oppose trade agreements that cost jobs to American workers. I am in favor of temporary public assistance programs, food stamps, unemployment benefits, school lunch programs and programs for the disabled which provide a social safety net. In my view, public funding for the arts and public broadcasting is a good thing. I am in favor of expanding and encouraging public transportation in our cities. I am in favor of more regulation of the financial and securities industries. A more activist role by government is needed to protect worker safety and consumers as opposed to allowing big business to run the country. We need more funding for AIDS prevention and treatment. I support legislation that would prohibit discrimination in employment and housing on the basis on sexual orientation. On many issues, my goals are very much in line with progressive Democrats.

Where I part company with progressives is largely on the social issues. I am a generally pro-life on abortion although not really in full agreement with the full "pro-life" party line. I think that abortion should be permitted in some situations. I am definitely against late term abortions. I am in favor of capital punishment and favor mandatory sentences for violent crimes. I have no problem with legal immigration but favor strong measures to deal with illegal immigration. I am against gun control. I am opposed to gay marriage. I believe that Democrats need to welcome evangelical Christians but am definitely against churches making political endorsements. I think that conservative Christians raise some valid concerns about the breakdown of the family unit (which is the building block our of our society in my view) and how the entertainment industry is reducing us to the lowest common denominator with its incessant flow of violence and sex in TV and movies. Some of the goals of the conservative Christians are misguided and I oppose them such as teaching scientific creationism in the schools. While I love the Bible, I think that the scientifically correct theories should be taught in our schools. I don't see how formal prayer in public schools would be workable either.

I am a fiscal conservative in the sense that I don't believe in spending more than you take in. I am in favor of a balanced budget amendment. I believe in pay as you. Unlike our Repulican leaders, I didn't think it was a good idea to increase spending and cut taxes on the rich to create a record deficit. My difference with the progressives who dominate the Democratic Party in many areas is is largely over a few social issues. Some of my left of center friends are willing to sacrifice everything that I stand for in the first paragraph of my posting (and hopefully what we Democrats still stand in favor of) for their precious gun control, late term abortion and gay marriage rights. Some Democrats would no doubt invite me to leave the party over these issues, because in their minds these few social issues are all that matter even if we lose election and election over them. That is why I am presenting an alternative view because their narrow focus is hurting the Democratic Party and our country.